Discover Degaña: Churches, Mining and Mountain Scenery

The Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Nature Park covers practically the entire area of Degaña. High mountain ranges and green valleys shape an ecosystem typical of the Cantabrian Mountains. Plant life includes oak forests, birch trees, yews and holly; Degaña also provides habitats for endangered brown bears, wildcats and capercaillies. The Puerto Cerredo recreation area lies in an alpine meadow near Cerredo, at an altitude of 1,341 metres. From there, you can enjoy views of Peña Mayor and the Cerredo River valley.

Churches, architecture and crafts

Zarréu is home to two churches with different historical classifications. The Church of Santa María de Cerredo is designated a BIC monument and is dated mainly to the period from the 14th to the 18th century. The 14th-century Church of Santiago has been preserved in Degaña. The Church of Santa María de Cerredo is also the starting point for the route to Laguna de Changreiro.

Another architectural ensemble in Zarréu is Casa Florencio, a manor house dating from the 19th century. Its traditional two-storey layout forms an L around a paved courtyard. The estate also includes a slate-roofed hórreo and a chapel. The chapel’s furnishings include a polychrome Baroque altarpiece from the first half of the 18th century. Degaña’s municipal tourist office is also housed in Casa Florencio.

You can experience traditional crafts at El Rincón Cunqueiru in Trabáu, where visitors can see a workshop that continues to practise the Cunqueiru woodcraft tradition. Degaña’s historic buildings and living craft tradition complement one another, although they do not belong to the same period or place.

Mining history and trails

Mining history can also be seen in different forms at several locations. Around El Corralín, within the protected area, are the most important remains of Roman gold mining and the associated hillfort settlements. Remains of a Roman gold-mining operation can be seen in El Rebol.lar. Zarréu, meanwhile, is a mining town with industrial archaeological remains. The Paisaje minero e industrial de Cerredo route explores this subject: it starts in Cerredo, is 9.08 kilometres long, moderately difficult and linear. Two detours offer opportunities to interpret industrial and mining remains.

The hike to Laguna de Changreiro starts at the Church of Santa María de Cerredo and passes traditional features of rural land use: cortines, corripas and carriles. The moderately difficult ascent is 3.87 kilometres each way; the stated duration is about one hour and 40 minutes. Another hike leads from Fonduveigas through woodland and heathland to the pass by the Brañolina lagoon. The stated figures for the round trip are 13.8 kilometres, about five hours, 936 metres of ascent and a moderate difficulty level.

The times and distances indicate different requirements for planning your day: at Changreiro, the 3.87 kilometres refer to the one-way distance, while at Brañolina, the 13.8 kilometres cover the round trip. Both hikes are rated moderate. Trail conditions on the Brañolina hike can vary seasonally; check local conditions before setting out.

Another route, Por Donde Camina el Oso, passes through Tablado, Trabáu and Degaña within Degaña. If you choose Degaña for a hotel stay, you can plan around your interests in cultural history, mining or hiking, while taking the different starting points and time estimates into account. When arriving from the south, take the AS-15 to reach Degaña.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Tablado, Degaña, Cudillero, Nava, Coaña, Muros De Nalón, Navia, Laviana.

For the main travel overview: Asturias.