Asturias offers a wide range of options for a trip: mountain landscapes and trails, pre-Romanesque architecture, and museums about mining and cider culture.

Nature parks and their special features

The Picos de Europa National Park covers 646 km². At Torrecerredo in the Central Massif, it reaches a maximum elevation of 2,648 metres. Guided routes are offered in the park; visitor centres are located at Casa Dago and at the Pedro Pidal Visitor Centre near the Lagos de Covadonga. The visitor routes mentioned include the Ruta del Cares and the Entrelagos route. Dates for guided routes are seasonal, so check them before your trip.

Somiedo and Muniellos also have their own distinctive features. Somiedo Natural Park was the first natural park designated in Asturias and is known for its lakes. Muniellos Forest is a strict nature reserve and Spain’s largest oak forest. Access requires a permit in advance; at present, the limit is 20 visitors per day. Check the current official access procedure before planning your visit.

Trails with different levels of planning

Two routes are distinguished in Muniellos: the river route is considered the easier one, while the Fuenculebrera route is described as longer and more difficult. Conditions on site can vary. This comparison can help you choose between the two routes, but it does not replace specific planning for a visit to the protected area.

The Camino del Norte runs for 280 kilometres through Asturias, crossing 23 municipalities; 13 stages are recommended. This makes it a different kind of hike from the individual visitor routes in Picos de Europa National Park. If you are interested in the Camino, you can use the recommended stages as a guide when planning your own trip.

Architecture, history and art

Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture emerged with the rise of the Asturian monarchy in the 8th century. The World Heritage site “Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of Asturias” comprises six Asturian pre-Romanesque structures. A specific historical date is 842, when Santa María del Naranco was completed.

The Tito Bustillo Cave offers a different perspective on early art. It is one of Europe’s most significant sites of Palaeolithic art. The cave contains 11 groups with more than 100 engraved and painted depictions. For a view of Oviedo, you can also enjoy the panorama from a hill.

Museums about mining and cider

The Museo de la Minería y de la Industria de Asturias (MUMI) displays images of mining, machinery and minerals, and explores the history of work and mining. The museum includes a realistic reconstruction of a mine. Individual visitors can tour it in groups organised by the museum; arrangements may depend on visitor numbers.

The Museo de la Sidra de Asturias focuses on cider in its social and cultural context. The participatory exhibition covers the production, consumption and history of the drink. It also explores traditions associated with the chigre, tonada, music and the bagpipes. If you would like to learn about culture beyond architecture, this offers a distinctive way to explore the subject.

Getting there and finding accommodation

High-speed trains connect Madrid with Asturias several times a day. Timetables and availability may change, so check the service for your travel date. Seasonal dates for guided routes and the access rules for Muniellos are specific details you can confirm in advance for your travel period.

Discover more destinations: Pigüeña, Arangas, Degaña, Nava, Grandas De Salime, Villanueva De Oscos, Nalón Valley, Santa Eulalia De Oscos

For the wider travel overview: Asturias.