Les Arriondes, settlement in Spain
Arriondas is a small town in eastern Asturias, Spain, set in a river valley where the Sella cuts between forested hills. Stone houses line narrow streets, and a bridge carries foot traffic across the water toward the older part of town.
The area around Arriondas has been settled since the Stone Age, making it one of the oldest inhabited valleys in Asturias. In the 19th century, the railway reached the town and brought growth, and returning emigrants from the Americas built villas that still stand today.
Arriondas preserves its past through narrow streets and old stone houses that still define the town's character. The annual tradition of the Sella River race brings locals and visitors together for celebrations featuring traditional music and local food.
The town center is flat and easy to walk, with bridges crossing the river connecting both sides of the streets. From here, mountain trails and river activities are within easy reach, making it a good base for spending time outdoors.
Arriondas marks the starting line of the International Sella Descent, a canoe race held each August in which thousands of paddlers set off down the same stretch of river at once. The finish line is in Ribadesella, downstream, and the banks along the route fill with crowds for the entire day.
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