Somiedo Natural Park, Natural park and biosphere reserve in Asturias, Spain
Somiedo Natural Park is a protected area in the Cantabrian Mountains featuring limestone formations and terrain ranging from 400 to 2,200 meters in elevation. The park spans five valleys with mixed landscapes of peaks, meadows, and mountain streams.
The park was established in 1988 to protect the natural systems of this Cantabrian region. This designation marked the beginning of formal conservation efforts to safeguard the mountain ecosystem from further change.
Traditional stone huts with broom thatch roofs, called cabanas de teito, dot the landscape as signs of centuries-old pastoral life. They reflect how people adapted their homes to the mountains and the work of herding livestock across these valleys.
Summer offers the best conditions for visiting when trails are clear and weather is more stable. A visitor center at Pola de Somiedo provides maps and information about hiking routes available throughout the park.
The area is home to one of western Europe's largest populations of brown bears that roam freely across the mountains. Visitors occasionally spot tracks or signs of these animals, especially on quieter trails less traveled by tourists.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
