In Lena, you can shape your trip in a variety of ways: around a UNESCO World Heritage Site, historic places, trails through forests, traditional festivals or winter sports. For planning, it is worth deciding on your main reason for visiting first. This makes it easier to choose the right topics and dates without treating heritage, outdoor activities and winter offerings as a single itinerary.

Heritage and Architecture in Lena

Santa Cristina de Lena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its architectural features include a single-nave structure, barrel vaults and numerous exterior buttresses. A single-nave structure has one main nave; barrel vaults run lengthwise, while buttresses stand on the outside of the building. These terms help distinguish the church’s architectural elements from one another.

The Aula Didáctica del Prerrománico Asturiano de la Cobertoria is housed in the former La Cobertoria railway station building in Lena and serves as a tourist information center for Lena and Asturias. Its four themed areas cover an introduction, the Kingdom of Asturias, Asturian architecture and Santa Cristina de Lena. Multimedia applications include reconstructions of Santa Cristina de Lena, Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. The themed layout thus places the monument in a broader architectural and historical context.

Trails, a Mill and a Museum

The Los Molinos de Xomezana walking trail leads to the Museo Etnográfico La Panerona, which is run by local residents. Check the municipal route information before your trip. Molino de Sabel offers another direct link to the history of milling: the rabil mill is used to separate the grain from the ear and is still in operation.

The Vía Carisa can be explored on foot or by mountain bike. Another route description concerns the Puerto de Pajares–Campumanes pilgrim stage of the Camino de El Salvador, which passes through chestnut and holly forests. Different points of interest shape these routes: a museum as a destination, two possible ways to get around, or the forest landscape along a pilgrimage stage.

Festivals at Different Times of Year

The Fiesta del Corderu takes place every first Sunday in July at Prau L.lagüezos; the exact calendar date varies from year to year. The festival is designated as being of tourist interest. Its recurring program includes a traditional open-air mass, bagpipers and dance groups; individual program items may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the date for the relevant year.

The Fiesta de La Flor is celebrated on the Monday after Easter with a procession accompanied by bagpipes and drums. Its date depends on the Easter calendar. The Festival de la Escanda takes place in late August; check the current calendar before planning a trip around this festival. The three events therefore have different scheduling references: a Sunday in July, Easter Monday and a date toward the end of August.

Winter Sports and Getting There

Valgrande-Pajares can be reached from both the Asturian and Leonese sides via the N-630 and Puerto de Pajares. The ski area has 30.6 kilometers of ski runs. The listed facilities include two cross-country ski trails, a ski touring trail, two competition venues, childcare and a dedicated sledding area. As operating facilities may change, check the latest conditions before your trip; in winter weather, you should also check road conditions.

Landmarks in the Landscape

The Valle del Meicín lies at the foot of Ubiña in Lena. The Parque Natural de Las Ubiñas-La Mesa includes areas within the municipalities of Lena, Quirós and Teverga. These are two distinct geographic reference points: a valley at the foot of Ubiña and a natural park that extends across three municipalities.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Pola De Lena, Jomezana, Campomanes, Piedraceda, Pajares, Tuiza De Arriba, Telledo, Chanos De Somerón

For the main travel overview: Asturias.