The Las Praízas de Cucayo route starts in Cucayo and leads to two restored mills that once served the village. Along the way, beech forest, river landscapes and traces of past land use come together. For a stay focused on hiking and cultural history, Cucayo offers a concrete way to experience what makes the village distinctive.

Las Praízas: Route and Landscape

The Naturea route CA-ENP25 “Las Praizas de Cucayo” is 6.9 kilometres long and starts in Cucayo, in the municipality of Vega de Liébana. The entire route lies within the Liébana SAC and SPA. It crosses the catchment areas of the Río Requejada and the Río Frío, which meet in Cucayo.

An extensive beech forest shapes the route: it runs along its lower edge and offers views of Pica de Casanzo and Peña Dobres. Las Praizas is the highest point on the route; from there, it descends towards Collado Sierra Lamoa. This sequence gives the trail distinct waypoints—from the wooded stretch and the highest point to the descent.

Cultural traces along the route include two small restored mills. They once served Cucayo. The Invernales de Ranes represent another form of past land use: these buildings sheltered livestock and served as hay barns during the transhumance practised from the village. The mountain pastures of Pineda and Río Frío are also linked to the area’s natural environment; they are visited by the Cantabrian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos).

The teams responsible regularly inspect and maintain the Naturea routes. Nevertheless, check the condition of the route before your visit.

History and Architecture in Cucayo

Cucayo is first mentioned in a document from 1188 in the Cartulario de Piasca. The San Esteban building is a visible example of its architectural heritage. It has a prismatic tower and a single nave; three sections are covered by a vault with eight ribs. The surviving collection also includes an 18th-century sculpture and two 19th-century paintings.

A resolution dated 25 February 1986 initiated the process of designating Dobres, together with the hamlet of Cucayo in the municipality of Vega de Liébana, as a Historic Site of Cultural Interest. A small wayside shrine at Collada served passing hikers as a place to rest and pray. These landmarks offer different perspectives on local history, from the historic ensemble to a small place of contemplation.

Past connections between villages are also part of the area’s history. The path between Dobres and Bárago was once the only link between the two villages. The two tunnels built as part of the improvement works in the Dobres–Cucayo area were completed on 3 February 1949; the road in this area was completed in 1967. These dates mark historical stages in the area’s development.

More Routes and Practical Information

The Bárago–Las Retuertas–Cucayo route reaches the hamlet via a bridge over the Río Frío. Its relationship to Cucayo differs from that of Las Praízas, which starts in the village. If you choose your base for an overnight stay according to the routes you plan to take, you can factor in these different roles—starting point here, destination there.

For mountain biking enthusiasts, a regional tourism publication from December 2015 is worth noting: it listed “Cucayo” as a mountain biking route among Liébana’s route offerings. For the routes listed, it provided a detailed map, route description, length, difficulty level, estimated walking or cycling time, elevation and points of interest. The guide also described the routes, including Cucayo, as signposted and equipped with an information board at the starting point showing route details and a detailed map. As this information refers to a 2015 publication, check the route conditions and signage on site.

Discover more destinations: Enterrías, Tudes, Tollo, Dobres, Vada.

Go to the main travel overview: Vega De Liébana.