La Magdalena – Camino Olvidado, Nature and Regional Cuisine

The 16th stage of the Camino Olvidado leads from La Magdalena to Riello. The Camino Olvidado runs along the southern slope of the Cantabrian Mountains, is considered one of the old routes to Compostela, and was already used between the 9th and 12th centuries.

Geographical Setting

In Canales-La Magdalena, there is a public motorhome service area at Avenida La Magdalena, s/n. Soto y Amío is one of six municipalities in the Valles de Omaña y Luna Biosphere Reserve.

Other places in the same overarching destination area include Igüeña, Gusendos De Los Oteros, Santovenia De La Valdoncina, Murias De Paredes, Páramo Del Sil, San Martín de la Tercia, Pereda De Ancares and San Juan De La Mata.

Nature

The area surrounding the reservoir is considered valuable in terms of its natural environment because of its biodiversity; Cambrian and Precambrian formations shape the landscape geologically. In the municipality of Soto y Amío, the AREC de La Magdalena is a 4.2-kilometre-long body of water with controlled fisheries management and a destination for a day of fishing. It extends from the upper boundary of the Coto de Garaño at the motorway bridge to the boundary of the reservoir waters of the Selgas Reservoir at the mouth of the Villanalambre stream or ditch.

The wider regional surroundings of La Magdalena include the summit of Cueto Negro, the Cueva de Valporquero cave, Pico Machacado mountain and Alto de la Cañada mountain.

The topics mentioned can be given different weight when planning a trip: the Camino Olvidado represents a historic route, while the AREC is a defined body of water with fisheries management. Mountains and a cave add further landscape types to this range, while the museums and Casa Botines provide a cultural focus in the wider regional surroundings.

Culture

The wider regional surroundings of La Magdalena are home to three museums: the Museo De Ciencias Naturales La Virgen Del Camino, MUSAC - Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Castilla y León and the Museo de León. Casa Botines, a palace, is also located in this wider regional area. The Gran Cabalgata is intended to pass through the surrounding villages belonging to the Ayuntamiento on the eve of Reyes.

Regional Cuisine

In Soto y Amío, chorizo, salchichón, ham, lomo, cecina and llosco are cured using traditional artisanal methods. In the villages of Soto y Amío, calderetas made with lamb, kid goat or wild boar are available.

The basic ingredients of stews and soup dishes there include potatoes, cabbage, chickpeas and arvejos; the dishes are prepared with fresh and cured meat.

Soto y Amío therefore focuses both on individual cured meats and on hot dishes. The calderetas differ according to the type of meat used, while potatoes, cabbage, chickpeas and arvejos form the basic ingredients of the stews and soups.

For a holiday apartment in La Magdalena, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions are among the details that can be considered side by side when making a selection. This leaves room, alongside the specific travel destinations, for an accommodation decision based on your own priorities.

To the overarching travel overview: León.