La Franca: Coast, Cultural Heritage and Routes along the Cabra

La Franca combines a distinctive coastal setting with archaeological cultural heritage and a variety of routes through the landscape. Playa La Franca lies at the mouth of the Cabra River and forms the coastal boundary between Llanes and Ribadedeva. At low tide, the beach is connected to the coves of El Oso, El Viveru and Regorgueru. Those looking for holiday accommodation in La Franca will therefore find a location that closely links the coast, the river environment and traces of history.

Coast and Beach

Playa La Franca has vehicle access as well as dining options, showers, toilets, parking and a lifeguard service.

Culture and History

In La Franca, in the municipality of Ribadedeva, lies Cueva de Mazaculos II, which has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural). The Mazaculos II archaeological site also contains an Asturian shell midden associated with a pickaxe industry characteristic of Asturias. Another historical trace can be found in the mills on the Cabra River. They served the inhabitants of Valle Oscuru on both sides of Ribadedeva and Llanes.

Routes through the Coast and Hinterland

The section of the Camino de Santiago from Bustio to Vidiago follows the N-634 as far as La Franca. In addition, the Bustio–La Franca section of the GR AS-19, internationally designated as the E-9, is a route for hiking and mountain biking. The GR AS-19 follows local roads and paths through woodland and across green, livestock-farming meadows to La Franca.

The coastal path from Bustio to Pendueles also offers a nature-focused route: in part, it crosses the Ría de Ribadesella – Ría de Tinamayor Special Conservation Area (ZEC) and Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA). Another route follows the Cabra River. The Ruta de los molinos del río Cabra runs for approximately 4.5 kilometres through meadows and riverside forests. Some of the mills along this route are largely in ruins, so caution is advised when visiting.

The different types of route, means of travel and distances can be compared directly. Another perspective is offered by the cycle route from Bustio to Ribadesella: it follows the former N-634, and the fine-sand beaches highlighted along the way include Playa de La Franca.

The routes are organised not only according to how they are travelled, but also according to the landscape: coast, river, woodland, livestock-farming meadows, riverside forests and protected areas appear in different combinations. The pilgrimage stage, hiking and mountain-biking route, mill trail and cycle tour thus create a broad range of route types. The approximate length of the mill route establishes a different timeframe from the connection via the former road. Historical traces accompany some routes without turning the different routes into a single path.

Other Places

Other destination pages lead to Noriega, Bones, Boquerizo and Colombres.

The Mazaculos cave near La Franca is not open to visitors.

For the higher-level travel overview: Ribadedeva.