Pola de Somiedo: Nature, Trails and Culture

Nature

The Somiedo Natural Park extends across five valleys: Saliencia, Valle del Lago, Puerto y Pola de Somiedo, Perlunes and Pigüeña. The Ruta a El Vaḷḷe/Valle de Lago leads from the village of El Vaḷḷe/Valle de Lago through meadows and past teitos to Lago del Valle, the largest glacial lake in the region. The Ruta de los Lagos de Saliencia in the Somiedo Natural Park leads to a group of glacial lakes in a spectacular high-mountain landscape. The two routes differ in terms of scenery; this comparison provides an objective basis for planning your day. The different types of activities offer several practical approaches to planning your own trip: hiking, culture and wildlife observation can be considered separately or combined.

Hiking

The Senda accesible de Pola de Somiedo begins in Pola de Somiedo. It was designed mainly for people with reduced mobility, visual impairments or advanced age, and is also suitable for pushchairs and walks with very young children. The Iglesia de San Pedro is located beside the interpretation centre; opposite it, an information sign marks the beginning of the Senda accesible de Pola de Somiedo. Along its route, the trail passes through a forest with beech, oak, ash, lime and maple trees, hazel bushes and even Pyrenean oaks. It reaches the Mirador del Río Aguino, which offers views of the Río Somiedo valley as well as the Collada and the Río Aguino on the opposite slope. The route also leads to the Mirador del Desfiladero de la Malva, from which the La Malva gorge can be seen.

Culture

The cultural side of the town includes the traditional crafts section of the Ecomuseo de Somiedo, which is located in Pola de Somiedo. The Ecomuseo de Somiedo is divided into the areas of traditional crafts, the home and ethnographic routes. Four exhibition boxes in the form of teito huts with glass walls have been built on the La Pola festival grounds. They display exhibits, photographs and texts about various aspects of everyday and social life in Somiedo, including agriculture, transport systems, hunting and fishing.

Wildlife Observation

The Observación de Osos activity includes a qualified local guide, optical equipment with binoculars, tripods and telescopes, as well as admission to the “Somiedo y el Oso” interpretation centre. The activity is intended to observe the Cantabrian brown bear in its natural habitat and look for signs of its presence, such as footprints and markings. The waiting period takes place at dawn or dusk, when the chances of observation are higher.

For the overall travel overview: Somiedo.