Parque natural de Ponga, Nature reserve in Cantabrian Mountains, Spain

Parque natural de Ponga is a protected mountain area in northern Spain that contains limestone cliffs, dense beech forests, and river gorges carved into the landscape. The terrain varies from high peaks to deep valleys, creating different zones for wildlife and plant life.

The park was created by Law 4/2003 of the Principality of Asturias. It had first been considered for inclusion in the neighbouring Parque de Redes, but was left out and later given its own designation as a natural park. The protected area covers 20,533 hectares, almost the whole concejo of Ponga.

In the villages of Beleño, Abiegos, and Taranes, you can see shepherds moving their livestock between higher and lower pastures as their families have done for centuries. This practice shapes how the landscape looks across the seasons and how people work the land today.

The visitor center at San Juan de Beleño provides maps and exhibits explaining local wildlife and how the park ecosystems work. Seven marked hiking routes of varying difficulty lead through different parts of the area, so you can choose based on your fitness level.

The Peloño partial nature reserve, a beech forest of about 15 km², lies within the park and is noted for its ecological value. In the Beyos area, cheesemakers still produce Queso de Los Beyos by hand from cow, sheep or goat milk. The main summits include Peña Ten at 2,100 m and Peña Pileñes at 2,012 m.