The secrets of the Cantabrian Mountains – GR 109 Asturias Interior

The first stage of the GR 109 starts from Panes, a town in the council of Peñamellera Baja. Along 18 kilometers you will enter the beautiful protected landscape of the Sierra del Cuera. You will cross the Deva and Cares rivers, as well as charming rural villages, lush forests and meadows.



In the first… read more

Today you are going to cross the south face of the mountainous massif of the Sierra del Cuera heading west. The first part of the stage runs through the valley of the river Janu, between forests of oak, hazel and chestnut trees.



After a few kilometres, a long ascent begins through tracks until you reach… read more

The march at the foot of the Sierra del Cuera continues with this third stage of 18 kilometers. You will begin by retracing the path that brought you to Carreña, going up the La Ría stream, until you return to a track between meadows and wooded areas. After a slight ascent you will reach an impressive… read more

The GR 109 continues west with a stage that, although it is quite long, the difference in altitude is moderate and well distributed throughout the section. You will start by traveling along a paved road, crossing several population centers between pastures. Along the path you will find charming chapels… read more

The stage begins by following a dirt track along the Sella River, among ash, birch and poplar trees. Soon after, you will arrive at the town of Villanueva, where you cannot miss the San Pedro monastery. The construction is a beautiful example of Asturian Romanesque and has recently been restored and… read more

After a couple of long stages, this stretch gives your legs a break. Today the Route turns south and runs through beautiful landscapes of the region between the Sueve, Aves and Sellón mountain ranges. Along an almost continuous ascent, you will cross oak groves, meadows, small towns and old stone bridges… read more

This is a long stage and it accumulates a lot of positive unevenness. The truth is that I have combined stages seven and eight of the GR 109 into one, due to the impossibility of finding accommodation in El Fresnedal.



The views of the Sierra del Sellón will accompany you most of the way. The Route begins… read more

The GR 109 begins to head south with this stage in which the Sierra de Peñamayor is the absolute protagonist. As you enjoy the views of the different peaks in the distance, you will gently descend along a path between green mountains covered with heather and ferns.



The descent becomes more pronounced… read more

This stage enters the spectacular protected landscape of the Mining Basins through the Peña Mea massif. It is a long day but with views that will reward your effort.



Starting in the Nalón Valley, the Route begins to ascend rapidly and intensely through meadows and chestnut forests until it reaches the… read more

You will begin the day by retracing the almost three kilometers of detour from the GR 109 that took you to Cabañaquinta in the previous stage, again following the course of the Aller river. Returning to the official route, you will cross the town of Bello and then begin a steep ascent along a dirt track… read more

For this stage you have to get up early, as it is one of the longest on the GR 109. The track begins to climb shortly after leaving Santibáñez, between meadows and forests, until it reaches the Puertos del Rasón. This is a landscape dominated by pastures dotted with shepherd's huts and peacefully ruminating… read more

The GR 109 continues relentlessly with another stage with quite a long mileage and considerable unevenness, but the fabulous views that accompany you during the route are worth the effort.



The Route begins by following the course of the Huerna River and then begins to ascend along the margins of the Las… read more

After a couple of quite long and hard stages, this day offers you a break with an itinerary with more negative slope than positive. You will travel through an environment of great beauty, first through the protected landscape of the Sierra del Aramo and then through the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa natural park… read more

Shortly after leaving Bárzana, the GR 109 joins the route of the Senda del Oso greenway through a spectacular landscape sculpted by the river Trubia (also called Quirós). Going up the river along a track between riverbank forests and meadows, you reach the Valdemurio reservoir, an ideal place to cool… read more

Although this stage is hard due to its length and accumulated unevenness, the landscapes it covers are worth the effort, such as the Natural Monument of Puertos de Marabio and the Protected Landscape of Pico Caldoveiro.



Although the ascent is not very pronounced, it is almost continuous. You will start… read more

During the first half of this stage, you will travel along the northwestern edge of the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park. Leaving Villamayor, the track ascends to the top of El Cumalón, and then enters an area of brañas and meadows. Enjoying the beautiful views of the massifs, mountains and rocks of the… read more

This stage, much shorter and smoother than the previous ones, shares a route with the historic path of the Camino Real de la Mesa, an ancient Roman road that crossed the Cantabrian mountain range.



The path first runs through the Sierra de Meruja, and then enters the valley of the Pigüeña River. After… read more

This long stage begins with a steep ascent just as you leave Belmonte through the Sierra de Arceyo. It continues between pastures with beautiful views of the Sierra de Begega and the El Castiellu rock. At kilometer 13 of the Route, there is a detour to the town of Boinás, where the stage officially ends… read more

After having tested the legs with the previous stage, this section is much more peaceful. From Tuña the path starts uphill between pine forests and heaths. As you approach El Mouru, spectacular panoramic views of Pico Cazarnoso and Tineo will come your way.



Although the stage officially ends in the town… read more

This is the longest stage of all, so it is advisable to start walking very early. Leaving Becerrales, you will have to travel six kilometers by road until you return to the GR 109. From this point, an ascent begins through the Sierra de Santa Flor through a dirt track.



After descending briefly to the… read more