La Vega: Mountain Trails, the Camino de Santiago and Cultural Heritage

La Vega brings together several routes and themes. At its heart is the “Cercanías del Cielo”, a 14.9-kilometre, moderately difficult circular mountain route. It combines nature, rural cultural heritage and sections of the Camino de Santiago. The combination of distance, circular format and thematic focus gives you concrete points of comparison for planning your day. The 14.9 kilometres provide a clear benchmark against the longer gravel route, while the circular format and surface mark further differences between the two routes.

Mountains and Trails

The circular route starts and ends in La Vega; the trailhead is next to the “Chapel of Carmen” in La Vega. With a gentle ascent, it leads through fields with stone walls and sections of native vegetation. It can be walked year-round, and the estimated duration is more than five hours. The differing information on length, duration and terrain helps you compare the hike with other types of route.

Viewpoint and Cycling Route

The “Perriellos” viewpoint is located in the recreation area of the same name. From there, you can enjoy views of the Peñamayor and Sueve mountain ranges and, in clear weather, the Picos de Europa on the horizon. Whether on foot or by bicycle, Perriellos is considered a recommended stop.

The “Tour of Sariego” is a 22-kilometre, ring-shaped gravel route starting and finishing in Vega. In a rural setting where meadows and woodland merge into one another, it combines roads with gravel paths. A short, signposted detour takes the route to the “Perriellos” viewpoint. The circular hike and the gravel route differ in their emphasis on mode of transport, surface and distance. The combination of roads and gravel paths also distinguishes its route profile from that of the circular route described for walking.

Place Names and Cultural Heritage

The “Ruta de la Toponimia” starts next to its information board in Vega Park. On foot, it leads through the villages and settlements of the municipality of Sariego. Educational panels explain the origins of the place names and provide further information about the respective locations.

The Pozo de los Llobos is an old wolf trap traditionally used to catch wolves and is evidence of the region’s traditional livestock culture. The relevant stage of the Camino de Santiago reaches La Vega, where a pilgrims’ hostel opens its doors. Considering the place-name route, the Camino de Santiago and the wolf trap alongside one another makes it possible to organise the routes according to their respective focus.

Regional Cuisine

The municipality of Sariego offers traditional cuisine from central Asturias, in which fabada and pote asturiano play an important role. The culinary aspect complements the landscape- and culture-related points of interest in the municipality.

When choosing a holiday apartment in La Vega, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions may constitute different criteria. The mountain route, Camino de Santiago, place-name route and central Asturian cuisine represent the themes that can guide your choice of location according to your preferred focus.

Further places to complement your travel planning: Buelles, Candamo, Pimiango, El Vallín, Les Maces, Endriga, Cuadroveña, Lloroñi.

For the overarching travel overview: Asturias.