Allande: Heritage, Mountains and Special Routes

The Torre de Valledor is an architectural complex comprising four buildings. It is located in the parish of Valledor in Allande and is listed in the Register of Cultural Heritage Assets of Special Interest of the Principality of Asturias. Its location in San Martín del Valledor makes it a notable starting point for discovering Allande’s architectural and local history.

Cultural Sites and Historic Traces

At the Castro de San Chuis, traces of settlement date back to the 8th century BC; successive defensive walls were added over time. From the mid-1st century AD, Roman activity there was associated with intensive gold mining in the surrounding deposits. Early settlement and the later Roman economic links can therefore be seen as distinct periods in its history.

The history of architecture and art is also varied: Santa María de Celón preserves a Romanesque structure and 16th-century wall paintings. San Emiliano is a medieval village and a historic-artistic site of scenic interest. In Pola de Allande, the Monument to the Asturian Emigrant recalls a local history that reaches beyond the region: it was moved there from Puerto Rico.

The Ruta Etnográfica offers another way to discover Allande’s villages. It leads to some of the best-preserved villages in the municipality. Those interested in the connection between science and regional heritage can find astronomy as a way to explore rural heritage at Allande Stars, along with educational activities focused on science and heritage.

Natural Monuments and Views

The Alcornocal de Boxo is a cork oak forest considered unique in Asturias. The Teixo de Lago is designated a natural monument. The Teixo de Bustantigo is a thousand-year-old yew associated with the tradition of the yew as a sacred tree of the Celts. The two yews therefore represent different aspects of nature: one is designated a natural monument, while the other is notable for its great age and traditional cultural significance.

The landscape of the Sierra de Carondio can be explored on foot. On a clear day, the view extends as far as the Cantabrian Sea. This combines nature experiences centered on a natural monument or an individual tree with expansive views across mountains and valleys.

Choose Routes by Length and Theme

The easy route to Pico Panchón starts at Puerto del Palo and is 4.81 kilometers long. It reaches Allande’s highest point and offers expansive views of mountains and valleys. On the Camino Primitivo, the distance between Pola de Allande and Alto del Palo is about eight kilometers, with an elevation gain of around 600 meters. These figures highlight two different scales: a shorter route to the highest point and a longer stretch of the Camino with a specified elevation gain.

When planning, you can also choose according to the theme of your days: the Ruta Etnográfica focuses on well-preserved villages, while the route to Pico Panchón centers on Allande’s highest point and expansive views. In the Sierra de Carondio, exploring on foot is the focus; on a clear day, the view also extends to the sea.

A Summer Occasion

Día del Emigrante was celebrated in Allande for many years, with the last Saturday in July set as the date. If you would like to include this occasion in your travel plans, check the programme for the year in question.

When choosing a hotel in Allande, it may help to decide first what you want to focus on during your stay: archaeological and historical traces, Romanesque art, villages, astronomy, or trails and landscapes.

Discover more destinations: Cereceda, Abaniella, San Martín De Beduledo, San Salvador, Ferroy, Soto Del Barco, Nalón Valley, Navia Historic Park.

See the regional travel overview: Asturias.