How to get to Somiedo

Somiedo Natural Park is in south-west Asturias, in the heart of the Cantabrian Mountains on the border with León. It covers the whole municipality of Somiedo, and almost everyone arrives through its main village, Pola de Somiedo.

There are two ways in, one from the north and one from the south, and both end on the same road: the AS-227, which runs the length of the valley from Belmonte de Miranda to the Somiedo pass.

From Oviedo and central Asturias

1. Leave Oviedo on the A-63 as far as Cornellana.
2. Continue on the AS-15 towards Cangas del Narcea.
3. Turn left onto the AS-227, which passes Belmonte de Miranda and Aguasmestas and climbs to Pola de Somiedo.

Allow an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half to Pola. The last stretch is a mountain road, winding but in good condition.

From León and Madrid

1. From Madrid, take the A-6 to Benavente and head for León; before the city, join the AP-66 toll motorway towards Asturias.
2. Leave the motorway at the Villablino exit and continue to Piedrafita de Babia.
3. At Piedrafita the LE-495 climbs to the Somiedo pass. Once in Asturias the road becomes the AS-227 and drops through Santa María del Puerto, Caunedo and Gúa to Pola.

This is the most direct way in from central Spain. The pass is at almost 1,500 metres and can have snow in winter: check road conditions before you set off.

By bus

ALSA runs a direct bus between Oviedo and Pola de Somiedo, with few departures a day and a journey of just under two hours. Timetables change with the season, so check them on the ALSA website before planning your trip.

If you are coming without a car, stay in Pola: it is the only village with every service, and the Senda Accesible starts there on foot.

Getting around the park

Somiedo is four valleys, and they are not all linked to each other by road. It is worth knowing before you choose where to stay:

• Valle del Lago and Saliencia are reached on two local roads that leave Pola. The Saliencia road ends at the Alto de La Farrapona, which is often closed by snow in winter.
• Villar de Vildas is not reached through Pola: at Aguasmestas you take the road that follows the Pigüeña valley.
• Gúa, Caunedo, La Peral and El Puerto are on the AS-227 itself or very close to it, between Pola and the pass.

Each village is described in the villages of Somiedo and all of them appear on the park map. For the most visited one, see how to get to Valle del Lago.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Somiedo Natural Park?

In south-west Asturias, northern Spain, in the Cantabrian Mountains on the border with the province of León. The park covers the whole municipality of Somiedo and its main village is Pola de Somiedo.

How long does it take to drive to Somiedo from Oviedo?

Between an hour and a quarter and an hour and a half to Pola de Somiedo, on the A-63, the AS-15 and the AS-227.

Can you get to Somiedo by bus?

Yes. ALSA runs a direct bus between Oviedo and Pola de Somiedo, with few departures a day and a journey of just under two hours. Within the municipality a car is very useful for moving between valleys.

Which road goes up to Somiedo?

The AS-227, which links Belmonte de Miranda with the Somiedo pass via Aguasmestas and Pola de Somiedo. On the far side of the pass it continues into León as the LE-495.