What to see in Pola de Somiedo and surroundings

Pola de Somiedo is a small town but with lots of charm and it is the best place to get to know the area before exploring the park. If you go by car, we recommend you to leave it in one of the parking lots at the entrance of the village and walk through it. Although if you have time we recommend spend a night as it is totally worth it.

Read on to discover all the must-sees of Pola de Somiedo and the towns and routes the most beautiful in the area.

• Where to eat in Pola de Somiedo and surroundings

What to see in Pola de Somiedo

A stroll through the village

The first thing to do is to take a leisurely stroll. There are small streets, stone houses and that air of a mountain village where time goes at a different pace. One of the places we liked the most is the surroundings of the river Somiedo which runs through the middle of the village.

In the main square There is usually a good atmosphere, especially on weekends. There are bars where you can have a drink and some stores with local products, in case you feel like taking a Asturian cheese or sausage. If you are interested, on Thursdays we organize a small flea market very simple, but curious to see.

The Ecomuseum of Somiedo

This museum is distributed in several spaces throughout the village, and serves to understand how people lived in these mountains before tourism. The coolest thing is the teito huts (broom-roofed), which can be seen from the inside.

There is also a traditional house and a mill. It is not a "modern" museum, but it is very authentic and helps to appreciate the rural environment of the area.

Natural Park Interpretation Center

Before embarking on trails or looking for bears, this center is the ideal place to find out what you are going to see. There is explanatory panels on the fauna, flora, the park's trails and protected areas.

They can also give you maps and recommendations depending on the weather or your physical shape. It is free and very useful, especially if you want to do a longer hike or have doubts about where to start.

Hiking trails near Pola de Somiedo

For nature and route lovers like us, from Pola de Somiedo you have several routes impressive routes within walking distance. Some are easy and others more demanding, but all of them have in common that you will feel in the middle of the nature wildest. Here are two of our favorites:

Saliencia Lakes

This route is one of the highlights of the park and we liked it very much and we thought it had a very good effort-views ratio. It is accessed from the Alto de la Farrapona a mountain pass at about 35 minutes by car from Pola de Somiedo. Access is easy by car, although in high season it is advisable to get up early because it gets quite crowded and there is not much room to park.

🚗 Watch out for the car!
When we went there were many cows grazing in the surrounding area, some of which were even tucked into the road.

The route is circular and quite affordable for almost everyone. There are about 8 kilometers in total, which are made in about 2 and a half to 3 hours if you go quietly and stop to take pictures (which you will do, we already tell you). Here we leave you a wikiloc track although everything is quite well indicated there.

When we went, when we reached the Alto de la Farrapona we found an incredible fog. You couldn't see two meters away, and we were about to turn back, but we decided to go ahead and... Thank goodness. Halfway through the route the fog began to lift and gave us an amazing view of the lakes. Seeing the Cave Lake The mist was spectacular.

You will also pass through the Cerveriz Lake and the Calabazosa Lake (or Black Lake), all framed in a high mountain landscape that, on clear days, looks like something out of another planet.

If you prefer to go with a guide and learn more about the environment, you have this organized route through the Saliencia Lakes which departs from Pola and is ideal if you do not want to complicate with maps or parking. It also includes a visit to the Ecomuseum and to the people Santa Maria del Puerto.

Lake Valley

This route starts in the village of Lake Valley which is about 7 km from Pola de Somiedo. It is easily reached by car and there is parking space next to the trailhead. The way to the Lake of the Valley is one of the most accessible and popular in the park.

The route is linear and has about 6 kilometers round trip It is a very easy hike, with very little slope, so it is perfect if you do not feel like a very demanding hike or if you are going with children. In a few 2 hours and if you bring something to eat, the lake is an ideal place to stop for a snack have a picnic.

The scenery is very beautiful from the beginning, following the valley between mountains The area has meadows, shepherds' huts and cows at their ease. The lake itself is large and has a very quiet environment. Swimming is not allowed, but you can border it and relax for a while before returning the same way.

You also have the option of making this guided hiking route through the Natural Park of SomiedoThe tour includes explanations about the flora, fauna and history of the environment.

The brañas and traditional villages

If you are interested in the more authentic and rural side of the park, you have to visit some of its brañas. They are livestock settlements which were used (and in some cases are still used) in summer, when the cattle go up to graze in higher areas. The characteristic of the brañas are the teito huts They are made of stone and have a vegetable broom roof. They are integrated into the landscape and preserve a brutal aesthetic.

Some are accessible on foot by very pleasant and well marked trails, and it is not uncommon to find cows, horses or even cowboys tending the cattle.

Villar de Vildas and the La Pornacal mountain range

One of the most beautiful and best-preserved villages in the world is Villar de Vildas. It is about 16 km from Pola de Somiedo, and although it takes a little longer to get there by mountain road, it is worth it. The surroundings are spectacular, and from there you can make the route to the Braña de La Pornacal which is the largest and one of the best preserved in the park.

The walk is simple, about 2 hours round trip The path runs through beech and chestnut forests. We came across several vaqueiros who came up with cows, and it was amazing to see how they still use the braña as they did centuries ago.

Braña de Mumián

Another highly recommended option is the Braña de Mumián The trail is reached from a path that leaves from near the village of El Coto. It is a more solitary route, less traveled, and that makes it special. There are several well-preserved cabins, and if you like photography, you will enjoy it very much.

Braña de Sousas

From the town of Valle del Lago, it is also possible to take a route to the Braña de Sousas less known but very authentic. It can even be combined with the Lago del Valle route if you have energy to spare. The beauty of this braña is that many cabins retain their original structure and the environment is postcard, especially in spring.

Brown bear sighting

Seeing a brown bear in the wild is one of those things that stay with you forever. In the Somiedo Natural Park lives one of the most stable populations in the world cantabrian brown bear Although it is not easy to see them on their own, there are certain areas and times of the year when the probabilities are quite high.

We made a guided sunrise tour It was a great experience. At first we thought we were not going to see anything (you know, low expectations so as not to get frustrated), but after almost an hour of observation... there it was: a bear with her cub walking along a hillside. We were quite far away, with binoculars and telescope but it was enough to leave us impressed.

The guides know where to look, how to move around without disturbing the animals and, most importantly, they help you to identify footprints and other critters that live in the park. In addition, the experience is very well organized and very respectful of the environment.

If you would like to try your luck, you can reserve one of our brown bear sighting excursion in Somiedowhich includes transportation, specialized guide and all the observation equipment. We recommend going at dawn or dusk, which is when they move the most. Of course, even if you do not see bears (which can happen), the walk and the atmosphere are still worth it.

Viewpoints of Somiedo

One of the best things about Somiedo is that, even if you are not much of a walker, you can enjoy incredible views just by driving or walking a few meters. There is several viewpoints scattered throughout the park that have postcard panoramas without the need for long routes.

Mirador del Príncipe

This viewpoint is in La Peral A small village located on the top of a hillside, with brutal views of the valley. You can reach the village by car and from there it is easily accessible on foot. The setting is beautiful: meadows, slate roofs and mountains in the distance. Highly recommended at sunset, when the light is low and everything is dyed orange.

El Coutu de Buenamadre Viewpoint

This viewpoint is located next to the AS-227 road, between Caunedo and El Coto It is one of the most accessible in the park. It has a small parking lot where you can leave the car and a wooden fence from which opens a wide view of the park Somiedo Valley and the surrounding mountains.

We stopped here almost by chance and it was a surprise. There was no one there, and the silence of the place, combined with the scenery, made it one of those stops that you will never forget.

Aguino viewpoint

This viewpoint is located on the outskirts of the small village of Aguino Although it is not the best known, it has very different views. From here the landscape opens up towards the lower part of the valley with softer hills, forests and meadows. It is a perfect place if you are in the mood for a quiet and uncrowded place.

Access is easy: you can arrive by car and walk just a few minutes to the viewpoint. We visited it right after lunch, and we sat there for a while just looking at it... It is one of those places that invite you to stop and take a deep breath.

Farrapona viewpoint

This point is right at the Alto de la Farrapona The viewpoint, at about 1700 meters above sea level, is the starting point of the Saliencia Lakes route. Just getting there by car is worth it: the viewpoint is just before the parking lot and offers spectacular views of the mountains and the rocky environment of this highest area of the park. On clear days you can see up to part of Leon.

Bear Trail by bike

Although technically it is not within the Somiedo Natural Park, the Bear Trail is a great plan if you are in the area for several days. It goes for a old mining railroad track and it has been conditioned as green way for biking or walking.

The route runs through gorges, tunnels, rivers, mountains... and passes through several small villages that you can cross. One of the best known parts of the route is the one that runs from Entrago (or Entragu) to Tuñón about 30 km in total, but you can do only a part of it and adapt it to your rhythm. The way in this direction is very easy as it is almost all the time downhill or flat, so it is perfect for all types of public: as a couple, with children or with a group of friends.

👀 Watch out!
If you do it in the opposite direction (Tuñón-Estrago), there is a slope of 2% that is not very noticeable at the beginning but then it starts to itch. We only recommend it for physically fit people.

We rent our bikes from Proaza and we made the round trip route to Entrago. It took us about 2h to do the outward journey which, as we have warned you before, has a certain slope, and around 1h to return which is all downhill. What amazed us the most were the tunnels carved into the rock and the sections where you go pedaling right next to the river. The scenery is breathtaking.

In Entrago we recommend you to stop for a cider and a cabrales potatoes in the Peña Sobia Bar. For us it tasted like glory after all the pedaling.

If you feel like making it from organized and uncomplicated way You can book one of these bike tours:

• Bicycle route along the Senda del Oso (starting point: San Martín).
• Route through the Senda del Oso from Villanueva.

Both options include bike rental and pick-up at the end So you can forget about the logistics and the return trip, which is what costs the most.

DoceSetenta Craft Brewery

If you feel like doing something different, a good option is to go to Villager de Laciana a small town in Leon, belonging to the municipality of Villablino to about 45 minutes drive from Pola de Somiedo. There you will find the DoceSetenta craft brewery a local project that bets on well-made beer with a mining identity.

During the visit, you will not only see how the beer is brewed, but you will also be shown a old mining gallery restored. It was part of the tunnel system through which coal was transported and is now adapted to show what it was like to work underground. It provides a lot of context and makes the experience go beyond a simple tasting.

Then it's time to taste the beers: blonde, roasted, IPA... all with balanced flavors and well elaborated. They also have a store, in case you want to take some bottles home or as a souvenir of the trip.

You can book directly from here: Visit to the DoceSetenta brewery.

Enjoy the Asturian gastronomy

Eating in Asturias is part of the trip. In the Somiedo area you will find mountain cuisine, seasonal and with local produce. Everything is usually homemade, abundant and tasty. Some of the most typical dishes are the bean stew the Asturian pot the cachopo or the local cheeses that we loved. And of course, the cider cannot be missed.

If you want more details on where to eat and what to order, we recommend you to take a look at our post on where to eat in Somiedo.

Practical advice

When to go

Somiedo can be visited all year round, but each season has its own vibe:

• Spring Green as can be, ideal for routes with good weather.
• Summer more people, but mild temperatures and a good time to see wildlife.
• Autumn: forests with brutal colors and less tourism.
• Winter cold and snow, perfect if you are into snowshoeing or snowy landscapes, although some routes may be closed or not recommended.

We went in summer because it was the best time to visit, but we are sure you can enjoy Somiedo at any time of the year. Of course, take warm clothes even though it is summer, as we had a very cool day and we were not prepared at all.

Lodging

In Pola de Somiedo you have several options: small hotels, rural houses and apartments. The good thing is that almost everything is close, so you don't need to take the car to have dinner or go for a walk around the village.

If you are looking for something quieter, towns like Lake Valley, Veigas o La Riera have accommodations with more isolation and a lot of charm. Book in advance if you go in high season, because there is not as much supply as in other more touristy areas.

Clothing and equipment

Even if it is summer, bring some warm clothes and a raincoat.. The weather in the mountains changes in no time and it is not uncommon for it to start raining without warning. For the routes, comfortable shoes (better if they are mountain shoes) and some food and water, especially if you go to the lakes or brañas.

Transportation

Pola de Somiedo is reached by road, and the best way to get there is by own or rented car. There is no direct public transportation there, and moving between towns without a car is quite complicated.

The roads are mountain roads, with curves and narrow stretches, but they are in good condition. Just take it easy and enjoy the scenery.

If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement What to see in Pola de Somiedo and surroundings you can visit our posts about Asturias.