Cecos – Discover Paths, History and Holiday Apartments

Cecos combines paths along the water with traces of Roman history and a landscape of vineyards, chestnut forests and historic buildings. The Cecos–San Antolín walking route follows the Ibias River, passes a small wine-growing area and offers views of the remains of Roman gold-mining excavations. Through dense stands of alder, maple and ash, the route reaches the impressive gorge of the Cavo River near its confluence with the Ibias. When choosing a holiday apartment in Cecos, paths, nature, architectural heritage and cycling routes can be considered as different focal points.

Culture

In the centre of the town stands the present-day Church of Santa Maria de Cecos, dating from 1681. Cecos is also home to a parish church from the 17th century. Cecos can be reached via an old Roman-era bridge spanning the Ibias River.

One floor of the Centro Turístico de Cecos houses the interpretation centre of the Senda del Oro. The lineage associated with the Palacio de Ron can be traced back at least to the 11th century; despite numerous renovations, the palace preserves the structure of two towers connected by a central section. According to tradition, a monastery bearing the same name as Santa Maria de Cecos already existed near the year 900.

Nature

Cecos is part of the 567 km² Narcea, Degaña e Ibias Nature Park. The park belongs to the Natura 2000 network and is recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. Around Cecos, trekking is possible on paths with significant changes in elevation that follow rivers and run through forest landscapes crossed by streams.

In the forests and along the paths around Cecos are low stone circles known as corripas. Chestnuts collected between September and October were stored in them to ripen, still enclosed in their prickly husks. There are also very old stone cortinales, built to protect beehives from bears. Fly-fishing for trout on the Ibias River is listed as an activity around Cecos.

Routes

The Senda del Oro (PR-AS 306, PR-AS 24 and GR 203) connects villages such as Cecos and Villamayor and runs through terraced vineyards, chestnut forests and river landscapes. Mills, cortines and terraces have been preserved along the route.

The Ruta de los Puertos leads from San Antolín towards Cecos and then via the AS-348 to the ascent of El Coniu (1,315 m). This second section is 19 km long and has considerably more moderate changes in elevation. Around Cecos, there are mountain-bike and road-cycling routes offering various options for excursions or training.

The Chao d'Arqueira mountain-bike route runs via San Antolín and Cecos and continues through Pena de Tuña, Chao da Serra, Penas de Cuantas, Chao d'Arqueira and Caldevilla before returning to San Antolín. For planning purposes, route types, elevation profiles and itineraries can be considered separately.

A supplementary page about the area leads to San Antolin De Ibias.

Geographical Location

El Castelo lies on a wooded spur above the Ibias River at an elevation of 326 m, northwest of Cecos. To the southeast, the settlement is bounded by the El Castelo stream.

For the higher-level travel overview: Ibias.