Pola De Lena is shaped by its rugged, mountainous landscape. At the same time, its cultural offerings range from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santa Cristina de Lena to multimedia insights into Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture. This offers a choice of ways to plan your trip: visit a monument after getting in touch in advance, find your way along the Camino del Salvador, or explore trails on foot or by bike.

Santa Cristina de Lena and Asturian Heritage

Santa Cristina de Lena is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building consists of a single-nave, rectangular main hall and an iconostasis with three arches. These architectural features offer a closer look at the monument’s structure.

The Aula Didáctica del Prerrománico Asturiano de la Cobertoria features multimedia reconstructions of Santa Cristina de Lena, Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. Across four themed areas, it provides insights into the Kingdom of Asturias, Asturian architecture and Santa Cristina de Lena. The Aula also serves as a tourist information centre for the Lena district and the Principality of Asturias. Its vivid reconstructions are complemented by a broader overview of history and architecture.

If you plan to visit Santa Cristina de Lena, it is advisable to get in touch in advance. Outside the set opening hours, you must enquire by telephone in advance.

Exploring Pola De Lena on Foot and Springtime Activities

You can explore the centre of Pola De Lena on foot. La Flor de Lena is also part of the town’s character: this festival takes place in Pola De Lena in spring and is a recurring springtime tradition. It includes a traditional market, street music and a Romería. The programme may vary from year to year, so check the dates and programme for the year if you plan to attend.

Camino del Salvador: Stages and Navigation

The Camino del Salvador reaches La Pola at the end of the stage from Campumanes. If you are planning the next stage towards Mieres, it starts in La Pola, via Calle Hermanos Granda. These two reference points help you plan your arrival and departure on the pilgrimage route separately.

For pilgrims on the Camino del Salvador, the Albergue San Martín is in the centre of La Pola. The Albergue de Peregrinos de La Pola is next to the RENFE station and 250 metres from the Camino. Check availability and booking arrangements before your trip; for the Albergue de Peregrinos, you should also confirm its current operating arrangements.

Vía Carisa and Cycling Routes

You can hike or mountain bike along the Vía Carisa. The route is waymarked and certified as GR 100; trail conditions may vary. The Vía Carisa also has historical significance: in October 2017, it was protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the “historical transport route” category. This makes it both an outdoor activity route and a site with recognised historical status.

For road cyclists, the La Pola–Gamoniteiru is a very difficult, linear 15-kilometre route that starts and ends in La Pola. The climb from La Pola to Gamoniteiru covers 15.1 kilometres and gains around 1,500 metres in elevation. These figures give a clear sense of the scale of the climb; check the weather and road conditions before setting out. This makes it easier to choose between a hike, a mountain bike ride and a challenging road cycling route, depending on your planned activity.

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

Back to the main travel overview: Lena.