Laciana, Omaña & Somiedo UNESCO Biosphere Reserves

Hiking Tours

LENGTH

8 Days

DIFICULTY

Fit

START & END

Ponferrada

DISTANCE

90 Km

GROUP SIZE

from 8 to 14 Max

LODGING

Standard

From 2060€ / per person

 4.5/5

LENGTH

8 Days

DIFICULTY

Fit

START & END

Ponferrada

DISTANCE

90 Km

GROUP SIZE

from 8 to 14 Max

LODGING

Confort

From 2060 / per person

 4.5/5

OVERVIEW

Situated north of Castilla Y Leon and south of Asturias region, several valleys of enormous beauty are considered Unesco Natural Reserve of the Biosphere. Laciana, Omaña, and Luna Valleys of Castilla y León with the Natural Park of Somiedo are out of the known places to feel nature and find peace. This tour will unveil this incredible area of Spain, sparsely populated of small towns and villages with deep roots with nature and mountain rural traditions.

While staying in the same accommodation for a few days we will travel to different areas where if lucky we can see bears, wolves and many other wildlife. We will also discover the summer villages and Hight pasture lands where cattle is still a way of life.

Come enjoy hikes in Somiedo Natural Park in Asturias, hike up the mountains from deep valleys, to find marvelous sceneries, and learn how people are living in this beautiful area of Spain.

GALLERY / PHOTOS

HIGHLIGHTS

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.
Mountain villages.
Somiedo Natural Park.
Nature.

Off the beaten tracks.
Pristine valleys.
Unknown area of Spain.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 - MEETING AT PONFERRADA

Check in at the hotel in Ponferrada and welcome briefing. Walking around the medieval town center and diner.

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2 - HIKE DEVESA DE CABOALLES | 14.7 Km

Morning transfer to Laciana valley and the Unesco Biosphere Re- serve. Once in Caboalles de Arriba village we can start our hike. We are in a beautiful valley and in a rural area. People here still live from the land and struggle with the closure of several mining explorations during the last decade. Up the hill and into the Devesa (forest) to reach higher points and an amazing view over the valley. In the way remains of summer villages no longer in use. At the end of our hike a small transfer to our accommodations for the next days.

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch Box, Dinner

DAY 3 - BRAÑAS DE SALIENCIA HIKE | 14.7 Km

Today we enter Asturias and Somiedo Natural Park, north of the Cantabrian mountains range. This side of the mountains is facing the ocean… The trail is linking several pastures and brañas. Brañas are summer settlements for the shepherd stay. Some of them are still in limited use. Modern ways of getting up there are far more easy in today’s world. The mountain still is a way of living in his side of the mountain range too. After this long hike a well deserved rest awaits our logging.

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch Box, Dinner

DAY 4 - OMAÑA MOUNTAIN STREAM HIKE | 18.6 Km

Murias de Parede is our first stop, once again we change valleys and natural area. We are now in the Omaña and Luna Biosphere reserve. This is not far from the Laciana one… Our trail leads us up the Omaña stream, to unveil this natural area and enjoy the outdoors. We are in a Spain that not many know that exist. With a nature and landscape that are still pristine and in bal- ance with human activities. The return to our logging will be at the end of this longer hiking day…

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch Box, Dinner

DAY 5 - SOMIEDO’S LAKE HIKE| 7.2 Km

Morning transfer to Somiedo Natural park for today’s hike. Into the mountains and just beneath some of the highest peaks a few lakes formed with the action of long gone glaciers. Today they receive water from the winter snow and still offer a wonderful sight. The hike of today is shorter to allow the visit of Somiedo Village and the natural park visitor center. With some more insight and knowledge will return back to our base. Free time to relax…

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch Box, Dinner

DAY 6 - BRAÑAS DE DEGOLLADA & ZAMERO HIKE | 15.2 Km

Small transfer to Cuevas de Sil Village from where we start today’s Hike. Starting up the valley of Seixa stream in direction of Braña of Seita The trail will get in elevation smoothly. We follow a well trodden trak. From the Seita’s Braña the path becomes more demanding but still easy up Zamero’s Pasture. It is the perfect spot to rest and have a bitte… Once here the trail follow just beneath the ridge and will reach almost 1800m. If we can, why not get to one of the summits. The last part will be descending to Degollada’s braña one of the best preserved in the region. From this point is a stroll back to Cuevas de Sil our starting point. Small transfer back to our logging.

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch Box, Dinner

DAY 7 - HIKE CUETO NIDIO| 15.2 Km

Another day with wonderful views from the top of the mountains. Today’s hike will take us to Cueto Nidio. The hike can start from the town of Villablino if we want to make a a few more kilometers. Normally will start at Lamas de Laciana, and head up to braña de Cubacho before starting to climb up the Cueto Nidio. The way down will be by the north side of the mountain and will be mostly in the woods as we reach back to Villablino. At the end of the hike will transfer to Ponferrada. Will have our last group dinner in the town historical center and en- joy the good moments of this tour.

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch Box, Dinner

DAY 8 - END OF TOUR

No need to rush this morning, take time to wake up. Take your breakfast with no hurry. Our tour end with the check out.

Meals: –

INCLUSIONS

INCLUDED

English Speaking Guide.
Transportation Van or MiniBus.
7 nights lodging on COMFORT accommodations breakfast included. (double/Twin occupancy)
Dinner, lunches and lunch box as described .
Liability and personal accident insurance.

EXCLUDED

Personal expenses.
Travel to and from the Hotel in Ponferrada.

OPTIONALS

Single room.
Extra days before or after TOUR.
Extra drinks at Lunch and Dinners

DATES & PRICES 2024

On demand

WHAT TO EXPECT

You will be in a Spain that no one outside of the Iberian Peninsula knows about. Expect to be the only hikers on the trails. This part of Spain is out of the path. Expect small villages in this mountain enviroment. Life as it is with no intervention of tourists. Spetialy if the tour is in September onwards or between April to June. Autumns is of amaizing colors since the forrest is painted with red, yellows, browns and...

Come and experience a Spain empty of tourist...

MAP

REVIEWS

James Fair

This was a fantastic trip with lots of free time to explore the cities on your own. The local transport used was extremely good and the included activities, particularly the tapas and the Camino walk, were excellent.

14 Oct 2019

Susan and Dave

A great trip, with a wonderful group of fellow travellers. Incredibly well lead by Helder. Enabled an opportunity to get to know a little about Spain and to appreciate the diverse nature and history of the country.

15 Jun 2019