Walking and Wildlife Holidays in Asturias
- Capital: Oviedo.
- Area: 10,604 km²
Asturias is a region that boasts an impressive and unspoiled rugged coastline, stretching for over 350 kilometers along the Bay of Biscay. Towering cliffs, golden sandy beaches, dramatic sea stacks, and countless hidden coves and caves line its shore, offering endless opportunities for coastal walks, photography, and exploration. This coastal beauty is complemented by a rich marine ecosystem and charming fishing villages that reflect the region’s maritime heritage. Inland, Asturias transforms into a mountainous paradise, dominated by the majestic Cordillera Cantábrica range, which marks the southern border of the region. These mountains create a striking contrast to the coast and include the famed Picos de Europa—Spain’s first national park and a haven for hikers, wildlife enthusiasts, and nature lovers. Deep valleys, glacial lakes, and lush, forested slopes define this area, making it one of the most ecologically diverse and visually captivating landscapes in northern Spain.
Check out hotels and other accommodations in Asturias over at booking.com
High peaks and stunning natural beauty
One of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Asturias is the Picos de Europa in the east. Not only are these mountains stunning in their natural beauty, but they are also a vital haven for a wide range of plants and wildlife. In fact, the Picos de Europa was the first National Park to be declared in Spain and is shared between Asturias, Castilla y Leon, and Cantabria. The highest peak in this magnificent range is the Torrecerredo, soaring to an impressive height of 2,648 meters.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, an avid nature lover, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the great outdoors, Asturias’ Picos de Europa are sure to capture your heart and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Throw yourself into the vibrant culture of Spain’s historic cities, delectable cuisine, and picturesque landscapes Guided holidays at G Adventures.
Listen to me (Clive) talking about this article and the natural parks in Asturias
Check out this fantastic drone footage of the Asturian coastline
The coastline of Asturias is simply stunning. As can be seen in this drone footage accompanied by some haunting Asturian music.
Listen to the podcast about Asturias and its protected areas.
Wildside Holidays introduces Asturias, a northern Spanish region celebrated for its dramatic coastline and the majestic Cantabrian Mountains. This area, part of Green Spain, boasts the Picos de Europa National Park, Spain’s first, alongside six other natural parks safeguarding diverse ecosystems. Asturias’ climate fosters lush landscapes, apple orchards for its renowned cider, and numerous prehistoric sites.
A few observations about Asturias
- The mountains usually have snow from November to May (possibly with snow pockets throughout the year) despite the fairly mild winters along the coast. It shares the title of Green Spain along with Galicia and Cantabria with which it has borders.
- Due to the humid, warm climate, large areas of apple orchards supply the local cider industry. (Cidre)
- There are many pre-historic sites that can be visited within Asturias, especially in the east of the region, around Cangas de Onís and Llanes. The Bustillo Cave in Ribadesella, La Peña Cave in San Roman de Candamo and the Llonin Cave in Penamellera feature some excellent cave paintings.
- The predominantly-limestone Cantabrian mountains extend some 200 kilometres in total and offer opportunities for activities such as climbing, walking, skiing and caving. They span as far as Galicia province to the west of Asturias, and Cantabria province to the east.
- Asturias is situated in a mountainous setting with vast greenery and lush vegetation, making it part of Green Spain. The region has a maritime and mediterranean climate. It receives plenty of annual rainfall and little sunshine (by southern Spanish standards.)
- Heat waves are rare due to the mountains blocking southerly winds and winters are very mild for the latitude, especially near sea level.
Tours in Asturias from Get Your Guide
Asturias has a vast array of sites to visit and enjoy. Below are some of the options listed on the Get Your Guide website. (We recieve a small commission if you book a tour which doesn’t cost you more and helps us to keep Wildside Holidays up to date with the best information.)
Asturias has 6 natural parks and one national park
- Fuentes del Narcea Y de Ibias. A stunning area of Asturias containing one of the largest oak forests in Europe.
- Somiedo Natural Park According to recent studies, 40 to 50 percent of the total population of Cantabrian brown bear resides in the Cantabrian mountain range.
- Peña ubina la mesa Natural Park. The entire park is an area of great biodiversity and is in an excellent state of conservation with a third of its surface occupied by forests of high ecological value.
- Redes Natural Park. The Redes Natural Park is mostly covered by large wooded areas, among which its endless beech forests stand out and is located in the eastern / central area of Asturias. At high altitude there is evidence of glacial erosion that occurred during the Pleistocene period.
- Ponga Natural Park. More than a third of the Ponga Natural Park is made up of mature forests such as oak, birch, ash, maple and alder and the main forest in the area is called Bosque de Peloño. This is located in the southeast of the natural park and covers approximately 1,500 hectares.. Beech, however, is most predominant and together with other numerous forests scattered around the park they represent places of great importance since they are a vital habitat for emblematic and endangered species.
- Picos de Europa National Park. The Montaña de Covadonga National Park ( now The Picos de Europa National Park) was established in Asturias in 1918, the first national park in Spain. The now much larger park covers three major massifs – Western, Central and Eastern which are all part of the Cordillera Cantabria range. The dramatic Cares river canyon, which is 1,500m deep, divides the western and central parts.
Check out hotels and other accommodations in Asturias over at booking.com
Natural and National Parks in Asturias, Natural or National Park?
In Spain, a natural park (Spanish: parque natural) is a natural space protected for its biology, geology, or landscape. As is to be expected, natural parks focus their main attention on the conservation and maintenance of flora, fauna, and terrain.
- Natural parks may be maritime or terrestrial and can be in the mountains, along the coasts, in the desert.
- Human habitation and Agriculture has affected in one way or another the habitats in a natural park area.
- A National park (Spanish: parque nacional) Has the same if not more protection status. More of a wilderness area less impacted by human habitation and exploitation.
Exploring Asturias Frequently Asked Questions: Nature, Wildlife, and Outdoor Adventures in Green Spain
Asturias, in northern Spain, is one of the most diverse regions in the country. Known as part of Green Spain, it combines rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and mysterious sea caves with inland mountain ranges like the Cordillera Cantábrica and the iconic Picos de Europa. Unlike southern Spain’s dry terrain, Asturias enjoys a mild, humid climate that supports dense forests and vibrant greenery year-round.
Asturias’s geography transitions from dramatic Atlantic coastlines to the snow-capped peaks of the Cantabrian Mountains. The region’s highest peak, Torrecerredo (2,648 meters), lies within the Picos de Europa range. This limestone-dominant area stretches over 200 km and is ideal for climbing, hiking, skiing, and caving. The combination of maritime and Mediterranean influences creates a moist, temperate environment that shapes both the landscape and lifestyle.
Asturias protects over 30% of its territory. The key areas include:
Picos de Europa National Park – Spain’s first national park, with alpine peaks and deep canyons like the Cares Gorge
Somiedo Natural Park – home to Cantabrian brown bears and glacial lakes
Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña y Ibias – includes Muniellos Reserve, Europe’s largest oak forest
Redes Natural Park – rich in waterfalls, beech forests, and chamois sightings
Ponga Natural Park – famous for the ancient Bosque de Peloño
Las Ubiñas-La Mesa and Peña Ubiña-La Mesa – alpine terrain, ideal for bear and wolf observation
These zones also overlap with seven UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, highlighting Asturias’s global environmental significance.
National parks in Spain are highly protected wilderness areas where human impact is minimal. They focus on preserving large, pristine ecosystems. Natural parks allow some traditional land use—like farming or grazing—but prioritize conservation and sustainable tourism.
Asturias is a haven for rare and protected species, making it one of the top wildlife destinations in Europe. You can spot:
Cantabrian brown bears in Somiedo
Iberian wolves in Redes and Degaña
Chamois, ibex, red deer, and roe deer in alpine zones
Griffon vultures, bearded vultures, golden eagles, and wallcreepers in high cliffs
Up to 400 bird species and 140+ butterfly species in forest and meadow ecosystems
Whales and dolphins, such as minke and pilot whales, along the coast
The region is a paradise for nature lovers. Top outdoor activities include:
Hiking along the GR.109 and GR E-9 routes
Cycling, especially the Senda del Oso trail
Canoeing, paddle surfing, and climbing in rivers and cliffs
Caving in limestone formations
Skiing in the mountains during winter
Guided wildlife watching, including bear and bird tours
Thanks to frequent rain and moderate temperatures, Asturias remains lush and green all year. The mountains block hot, dry southerly winds, keeping summers cool and winters mild—especially near the coast. This climate supports vast apple orchards, which power the region’s cider industry (locally known as sidra), and allows for year-round agritourism and eco-tourism.
Beyond nature, Asturias offers rich prehistoric and medieval history. Key sites include:
Bustillo Cave in Ribadesella – prehistoric art
La Peña Cave in San Román de Candamo
Llonín Cave in Peñamellera – cave paintings over 14,000 years old
Romanesque churches and medieval bridges in towns like Cangas de Onís
These sites reveal the deep cultural roots of the region and are easily combined with nature excursions.
Visitors can browse a variety of articles about Asturias with links to reserving activities ranging from wildlife watching to cultural site visits. Booking through these links helps support the upkeep of the Wildside Holidays website and promotes eco-friendly travel across northern Spain, all at no extra cost to you.
About the author of this article.
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain.