Desfiladero de las Xanas, Natural monument in central Asturias, Spain
Desfiladero de las Xanas is a gorge in central Asturias, Spain, cut through by the Viescas stream into steep limestone walls. The waterway flows through the narrow passage and continues on toward the Trubia River, carving deeper into the surrounding rock.
The narrow passage through the gorge was once considered as a potential route to link isolated villages in the surrounding area. The communities of Pedroveya, Rebollada, and Dosango saw the gorge as a natural corridor that could facilitate connection between their settlements.
The gorge takes its name from Asturian mythology, referring to water nymphs who inhabited the caves and rivers of the region. These legendary beings remain part of local storytelling and give the place a special meaning for people in the surrounding communities.
A marked hiking trail runs through the area, starting from the El Molin recreational area and moving through the gorge toward a historic church. The path is well signposted and offers consistent views of the rock faces and the river along the way.
The area is home to a range of animals that visit or stay in the gorge and surrounding waters, including several bird species and river mammals. The waterway supports creatures that live nowhere else in the same abundance across Europe.
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