• Region: Asturias
• Province/ Main town: Cangas del Narcea
• Declared a Natural Park: 2002
• Park surface area: 47,589 hectares
• Partially declared a place of Community importance of Fuentes del Narcea and Ibias.
• Place of Community importance of Munieḷḷos.
• Partially declared a Special Protection Area for the birdlife of Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias.
• Special Protection Area for Birds in the Munieḷḷos area. (ZEPA)
• Declared a Muniellos Biosphere Reserve.
• Declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2003.
• Cueto de Arbás Partial Natural Reserve.
• Villages and towns in the area: Cangas del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias

Points of interest

The Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Park (in Asturian Parque Natural de les Fontes del Narcea, Degaña y Ibias ) is a protected natural area located in Asturias. It borders to the south with the Cantabrian mountain range in Cangas del Narcea, and to the east with the Somiedo natural park.

The park takes its name from the Narcea and Ibias rivers. The natural park encompasses the upper reaches of these two rivers including tributaries from the Collado Alto to Rengos. Within the park area there are the Degaña, Rañadoiru, Obayu, Cagamosa, Caniellas, Soldepuestu and Xenestosu mountain ranges.

This video from the Asturian tourist board has some great sights and sounds

Perhaps the he most important peak is El Cueto de Arbas (2006 m) which gives its name to the extra natural reserve area. Here we can can find beech and oak trees that are well represented on its slopes along with subalpine vegetation. There is also an extensive hydrographic network that has numerous lagoons and peat bogs such as Arbas, Chauchina, Fuentes del Narcea, Reconco, Chagueños and Changreiro that host a rich animal and plant life.

The natural park also has a large number of valleys among which the Degaña valley stands out.

Find a hotel in the Fuentes del Narcea y del Ibias Natural Park

A habitat of wild forest landscapes

In the park there is one of the largest oak groves in Europe called the Munieḷḷos forest which is located in the valley of the same name. The most important beech forest found within the park is Valle De Hermo with an area of ​​10 km. The mixed woodland also contains birch, chestnut, poplars and many of the other common trees of the Atlantic forest habitat.

Mammals are well represented with the Cantabrian Bear at the top of the list along with. Iberian wolf, roe deer, wild boar and chamois. Also look out for fox, genet, stone marten, wild cat and badger.

Information/Visitors Centers

(Please note that all opening times are often changed without prior notice but are normally open during the mornings and most weekends)

Casa del Parque Natural de las Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias (Courias)

Located in the old stables of the Monastery of Corias this is one the most important information centres and a major entry point to the Natural Park. In addition to housing the natural park administration offices it also has an exhibition space where you can learn about the main characteristics of this extensive territory.

There are also interesting remains of an old cocoa mill belonging to the monastery that was found and partially restored during the buildings restoration.

Aula de la Naturaleza del Parque Natural de las Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias (San Antolín)

In this museum you can explore the culture, traditions, architecture and crafts, of the area through fascinating objects, stories, exhibitions and workshops. There is also a fascinating re-creation of a traditional building showing how people lived and worked centuries ago.

The landscape Interpretation Center

The landscape Interpretation Center of the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Park is located in Cerredo (Degaña) in a traditional house called Casa Florencio. The house dates from the 19th century.

With its slate roof and a chapel the house represents the traditional architecture of the area. The house holds temporary exhibitions and is also the official tourist office for the village of Degaña.

Centro de Recepción de visitantes de Muniellos (Las Tablizas)

Located in the Muniellos forest in a restored quarry, this is a place where you can learn more about the nature of the Muniellos forest and surrounding areas. There are exhibitions, a cafeteria, a recreational area and two viewpoints accessed by footpaths with stunning views.

Centro de Recepción de Visitantes de Muniellos

This is the ebtry point for the Natural Reserve of Muniellos. Information and a small exhibition showing the flora, fauna and landscape of the area.

To walk the route that runs through the Muniellos Reserve, you have to request a permit. (Only 20 people a day are allowed in to preserve its condition). You can request a permit here. (Scoll to the bottom and click on “Iniciar solicitud “) Or you can try calling 985 27 91 00 for a permit.

See also the official website for tourist information here. (Spanish mostly)

Walking and Hiking in the Fuentes del Narcea y del Ibias Natural Park

There are a lot of hiking trails in this natural park and some are listed below. You can google them to find out more or visit the information centres mentioned above.

• PR.AS – 8 – Ruta de las llagunes “tixileiras”.
• PR.AS – 9 – Ruta de la Braña de Llanelu.
• PR.AS – 7 – Ruta de la Hucha.
• PR.AS-132 – Ruta Bosque de Moal.
• PR.AS-168 – Pomar de las Montañas.
• PR.AS-23 – Ruta del Pico Miravalles.
• PR.AS-24 – Ruta de Faena.
• PR.AS-26 – Ruta das pallozas de Santiso.
• PR.AS-28 – Ruta del Chao da Serra.
• PR.AS-29 – Ruta del Túmbalu de Seroiro.
• Ruta Bosque de Muniel.los.
• Ruta Cueto d’Arbas.
• Ruta Cueva da Osa – Ruta del Desfiladero de Bustelín.
• Ruta de las Brañas.
• Ruta de las Llagunas de L.langreiru.
• Ruta del Cabril.
• Ruta Llagunas de Fasgueo.
• Ruta Llagunas de Tablao.
• Senda Moura.
• SL.AS-19 – Ruta del Puertu de Lleitariegos.
• Ruta al Pico El Alcornon de Busmori
• Ruta al Pico El Picón
• Ruta al Pico El Miro
• Ruta al Pico del Oso
• Ruta por el Camín Real ( Cerredo- Degaña)
• Ruta al Pico Tachetas y Pena Mayor
• Ruta ascensión al pico El Cueto de Arbás

Tourist routes by car

Again, find out more about driving routes in the Fuentes del Narcea y del Ibias Natural Park by visitng the information centres mentioned above.

• Ruta de los Cunqueiros.
• Ruta de los Puertus.
• Ruta de Sierra.
• Ruta del Xardón.
• Ruta del Oro.

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