Ruta en coche 1: Piloña

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• El gran sueño - Monte Cayón: 6.8 km / 17 mins

First, we take the AS-258 road towards Infiesto. At 3.2 km, we turn left onto a track (marked "Al campu de tiru" and "Area recreativa"), which goes up to the Monte Cayón Recreational Area (Área Recreativa Monte Cayón). From this natural landmark, there are impressive views of our the municipalities of Piloña (mountains of Lodeña, valle de Ques, valle de Pintueles), Cabranes (mountains of Incós) and Nava (Sierra Mayor), the Sierra del Sueve and the Picos de Europa. 

Nature here is very varied: pine, eucalyptus trees, alder, hazel and ash trees. There are wild boars, roe deer, fallow deer and deer.

If you prefer to walk all the way to Monte Cayón, you can do this from El gran sueño via Cadanes, from where you take a track up.

Photo: View of the Picos de Europa from the Monte Cayón

• Monte Cayón - Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Cave: 6.7 km / 18 mins

Turn back on yourself from the recreation ground and follow the track about 550 m. Take the second road on the right lined with some beautiful trees. This meats a T-junction where we turn right onto the PI-7 towards Infiesto. In Infiesto, just after crossing the river bridge, turn right onto the AS-254 towards Campo de Caso. Continue for 1 km, and on the right, you see a turn-off to the sanctuary (Santuario de la Virgen de la Cueva). This place of worship and pilgrimage is nestled in a spectacular rock, taking advantage of the terrain's orography. In addition, its lush vegetation and the fact that it is next to the river make it a very beautiful and pleasant place to visit. Its natural environment is ideal for enjoying the river, relaxing, sunbathing, sports, walking, eating, or even having a drink at the bar, etc.

Here, in addition to the sanctuary, there is the beautiful (and magical!) river path of La Peridiella (senda fluvial de La Peridiella), which starts from the sanctuary itself and runs parallel to the Marea river.

Photo: Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Cave

• Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Cave - Infiesto: 1.3 km / 5 mins

Take the same road back to Infiesto /L'Infiestu. The capital of Piloña is a quiet small town that is easily explored and has some charming hidden corners. Our favourite places are the Calle del Quesu (Cheese Street, a pedestrian street just behind the Town Hall), the old wash-station (in the Triana neighbourhood, across the river), the Álvarez-Nava wine merchant (old wine shop that has been owned by 8 generations of the same family), the Casa del Tiempo (where you can see one of the best collections of antique clocks in all of Spain) and, in the same building, the permanent exhibition "Los 13 del Sidrón", which details the prehistoric findings from the Cueva del Sidrón, located near the village of Vallobal, and very close to El gran sueño. This is an archeological discovery of great importance that spreads light on Neanderthal Man.

Other pleasant spots include the Puente Vieyu (old bridge), the Plaza Mayor, the parish church, the town hall itself, or the Mestres neighbourhood.

Moreover, Infiesto hosts lively festivals, among others the Hazelnut Festival, during the first weekend in October, the famous canoe descent of the Piloña river, or its own Feria de Abril, during the first weekend in May.

Photo: Infiesto's historic wash station

• Infiesto - Espinaredo: 6.6 km / 12 mins

Leave Infiesto towards Santander and, before reaching the N-634, take the PI-4 on the right to Espinaredo / Espinareu. Keep in mind that if you use Google Maps, you should enter "La Villa - Piloña" instead of Espinaredo. In this unique village, we must take a stroll through its narrow streets to admire its 20 hórreos and 6 paneras (granaries), as well as barns, traditional dwellings, and its church. All this forms an unparalleled ethnographic ensemble in the Principality of Asturias. Additionally, the Espinareu river running through the village gives it an idyllic aspect.

Espinaredo is a perfect place to connect with nature, take mountain routes, or simply to enjoy the authentic Asturian cuisine under an hórreo, at the restaurant El Rincón de Espinaredo.

Photo: Hórreos of Espinaredo

• Espinaredo - La Pesanca: 5 km / 10 mins

Continuing along the PI-4 you reach La Pesanca recreational area, where you can park. On the banks of the Infierno river and surrounded by lush forests of oaks and chestnuts, lies La Pesanca, a place like something out of a fairy tale, with bridges, walls, rocks, and trees covered in mosses and lichens, where you'll feel that at any moment the xanas (characters from Asturian mythology) might appear. 

From here starts a hiking trail, PR-AS 289 to Picu Vizcares, the highest peak in Piloña. The complete route is 7 hours long. We recommend doing at least the first kilometer to enjoy and appreciate the abundant peace and tranquility of the surrounding nature.

Foto: La Pesanca picnic area

• La Pesanca - Villamayor: 15.1 km / 22 mins

Returning along the same road you reach the outskirts of Infiesto, turn right and join the N-634 towards Arriondas / Santander. In Villamayor, park near the church. Situated on the banks of the river Piloña, Villamayor is a parish with a thousand-year history, as can be seen when strolling through the streets and squares of the Valledal neighbourhood. Its houses (especially notable is the Casa Pastrana from the 18th century), its church, the old Monastery of Santa María (with its Romanesque portal and apse), its horreos, paneras or Indiano houses, give an idea of what this town once was.

For those who enjoy walking in nature, from Villamayor itself starts the route to the Chorrón Waterfall, passing through the Chorrón Recreational Area. It's a pleasant and easy walk of about 5 km round trip

• Villamayor - valle de Borines: 6.8 km / 9 mins

This beautiful valley of Borines, hanging from the slopes of the Sueve, is the cradle of the most famous mineral waters in Asturias, the Borines waters. The Camín a Covadonga, a pilgrimage route that goes from Gijón to Covadonga, passes through here.

Next to what was the old Borines Spa from the 19th century, today stands the Ordum beer factory. They organize guided tours (with beer tasting), to learn about the origin of the spring, the history of the spa, and details of beer making. For more information about these tours: ORDUM.

In addition, the valley hides a great treasure, revealed to humanity 25 years ago: the Cueva del Sidrón, which is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world for studying Neanderthal DNA. The cave cannot be visited as it is used for research, but its surroundings (Partial Natural Reserve of the Cueva del Sidrón) near the village of Vallobal, are worth exploring. Remember that the exhibition 'Los 13 del Sidrón' in Infiesto is open to visitors.

Our local Route 7 (The longest route) passes through the Borines Valley

• Valle de Borines - Alto de la Llama / Espineres: 4.1 km / 7 mins

Continue along the AS-259 road, which climbs up to Alto de la Llama. From here, you can take a trail on foot (round trip: 5 km / 3 hours) that delves into the Sierra del Sueve and climbs up to a magical place, the majada (mountain pasture) of Espineres. It owes its name to the many hawthorn bushes that populate it and give it a distinct atmosphere. Here, the Asturcones (native ponies) live in freedom. Every year on the third weekend of August, the Fiesta del Asturcón, is celebrated here.

• Alto de la Llama - El gran sueño: 8.7 km / 15 mins

From the Alto de la Llama we take the AS-258 road towards Infiesto. At km 21, we turn right onto the AS-334. Immediately, we take the lane on the left that leads us to El gran sueño

Recommended restaurants:

El Rincón, Espinaredo (Piloña)