• Region: Asturias.
• Park surface area: 37,700 hectares.
• Declared a Natural Park: 1996.
• Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve; 2001.
• Site of Community Importance.
• Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA).
• Towns and villages in the area: Caso, Sobrescobio.

Points of interest

The Redes Natural Park is mostly covered by large wooded areas, among which its endless beech forests are striking. It is located in the eastern / central area of ​​Asturias. At high altitude there is evidence of glacial erosion that occurred during the Pleistocene period. This glacier modeling allows you to see wide glacial cirques and valleys.

This is an impressive karst landscape with many chasms and sinkholes and there are also high moorlands, pastures and also chestnut plantations. Redes Natural Park is home to all the characteristic species of the north of the peninsula such as the brown bear, capercaillie and Iberian wolf as well as the largest populations of chamois and deer in Asturias.

Fantastic promo video by Turismo Asturias about the Redes natural park

One of the most visited places in the park is the plain of Brañagallones. here you can find the typical braña vaqueira (mountain shelter for farmers and animals) where there is now a mountain refuge for hikers.

Flora

The vegetation is dominated by forests of beech and oak especially in the upper parts of the basins of the Nalón and Ponga rivers. Holly, yew and ferns such as Trichomanes speciosum are also present. In the Llagu Ubales area the reed fern (Isoetes velatum) is present. This is a species of ecological value, highly protected and can also found in the Arbás Lagoon. In the area of ​​the Pico Vamartín peat bogs there is a population of woolly reed (Eriophorum angustifolium) which is the only one existing in Asturias.

Find a hotel in the Redes Natural Park

Fauna

In addition to the iconic Iberian wolf and Cantabrian brown bear present in the Natural park, other mammals include the brown hare (Lepus castroviejoi), the Iberian desman (Galemis pyrenaicus), an insectivore that inhabits streams and rivers with clean and oxygenated waters. Chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), Stone Marten (Martes martes), badger (Meles meles), wild cat (Felis silvestris), fox (Vulpes vulpes), Iberian mole (Talpa occidentalis) and grey dormouse (Glis glis).

We can also find some species of chiropterans such as the small horseshoe bat (Rinolophus hipposideros) Mediterranean horseshoe bat (Rinolophus euryale ), large horseshoe bat (Rinolophus ferrun-equinum), long-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis), the dwarf bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and the riparian bat (Myotis daubentoni).

The diversity of birdlife in the park is very high, thanks also to the different and varied types of habitats. The presence of the Cantabrian grouse (Tetrao urogallus) is of great interest , a species ” in danger of extinction” that lives in the extensive beech forests of the Park. Also present are golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), alpine sparrow (Montifringilla nivalis) and grey partridge (P. perdix). in higher areas you may be very lucky to spot the black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius).

In addition to a variety of snakes, such as the southern smooth snake (Coronella girondica), the European smooth snake (Coronella austriaca ) and the collared or water snake (Natrix natrix ) in this area two lacértids are worth highlighting as they are Iberian endemisms. Schreibers black-green lizard (Lacerta schreiberi) and the Iberian rock or “mountain” lizard (Iberolacerta monticola). The males of the former are very striking in mating season due to the strong blue color of their heads. They are usually seen on the edges of forests and in rocky and high mountain thickets.

Also in the area

Guided tours with Get Your Guide

Information/Visitors Centers

Redes-Caso Nature Park Reception and Interpretation Centre.

The Reception and Interpretation Center of the Redes Natural Park is located in the town of Campo de Caso on the road towards Puerto de Tarna.

In the interpretation center you will find all the information you need to get the most out of a visit to the Redes Natural Park. There is a permanent exhibition covering the geology, flora, fauna and culture of the area through photographs and explanatory texts. There is also an audiovisual room with capacity for 50 people showing a film about the area, its people and wildlife.

Opening times

October 1 to May 31.
Tuesday to Saturday, and holidays: From 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: From 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Monday: closed.

June 1 to September 30
Monday to Saturday, and holidays: From 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: From 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Web: http://www.parquenaturalderedes.es (In Spanish)

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clive

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.