“Walk and Talk”: Ruta Alevia – Asturias, Spain

Hikers on the Alevia Circular Route, Peñamellera Baja, Spain

Hikers on the Alevia Circular Route
Overcast skies and misty rains can’t dampen my spirits when I am hiking on top of the world!

Sometimes Facebook ads get it right!

I am always looking for walks in interesting places. And, I had been wanting to study a language again.

But, I honestly can’t remember if I saw the ad in the corner of my consciousness before I decided on studying Spanish, or if I had decided on Spanish first…

Either way, at the most opportune time, pictures from a Spanish language school in the north of Spain (Peak Me) came through came through my Facebook feed. They were offering morning language classes, and afternoon walks walks in the Picos de Europa mountains through their partners (Canoe Adventure Trophy). It was a perfect combination! I was already planning a trip to England to visit family; once there, a week in Spain would be an easy side trip.

Of course, even in Europe (and even in the days before Covid-19), short flights between countries meant long drives to out-of-the-way airports and late-night or crack-of-dawn departures. The drives to and from Stansted Airport were much longer than the flight to and from Santander Airport in Cantabria. It was late, and I was travel-weary, when I finally reached my bed in Panes in Asturias.

On our first day of class I discovered that what little Spanish I thought I knew was either French or Italian! Never mind – they really do cater for beginners, and I wasn’t the only one.

Our first afternoon walk was around the Alevia Loop: just over seven kilometres, with an altitude gain of 334 metres. The beauty of this walk is that those who are faster and/or fitter can decide to hike to the top of Picu Paisana and back, at around the half-way mark. Clearly, that wasn’t for our group of jet-lagged folk; our guide Vivi made the decision to take it easy on us. Just as well, as sporadic rains slowed our pace further.

Join me for a delightful walk, high in the mountains of Northern Spain!

Iglesia de San Antonio
The small chapel above the town of Alevia is as far as our transport can go: from here we walk up into the mountains.

A Spanish guide in front of an explanatory sign board, Alevia, Spain

Nuestro Guíe Vivi
We had a delightful guide, who – although she was instructed to make us practice our Spanish – was fully conversant in English.

View over Alevia Spain

View over Alevia
Just a short drive away from our base in Panes, the town of Alevia is pretty little place …

View of the Cares-Deva Valley from Alevia, Spain

The Cares-Deva Valley
… high enough to afford views over the Cares-Deva Valley.

Walkers into a tree-covered path, Alevia Spain

Into the Woods
The path starts out through the trees …

View of mountain peaks from the Alevia Circle Track, Spain

View from the Trail
… but we soon have views of the peaks across the valley.

Close up: Marine Thistle, Alevia Spain

Marine Thistle – Eryngium Maritimum
There is plenty of interesting vegetation to look at when you want to catch your breath.

Hikers on the Alevia Circular Route, Peñamellera Baja, Spain

Clambering up the Mountainside
Sections of the trail are quite steep!

Woman seated on a mountainside, Alevia Spain

Lunch Break
I don’t usually include photos of me, but how could I resist this one?

Fat cow, Alevia Spain

Well-Fed Cow
The cattle in these alpine meadows are clearly finding enough grass!

Mountain Hut Ruins, Alevia Circle Track, Spain

Mountain Hut Ruins
The meadow is littered with limestone rock and the ruins of old huts.

Cow and Calf, Alevia Circle Track, Spain

Cow and Calf
The cows all watch us warily …

Rocks and Ruins On the Alevia Circle Track, Spain

Rocks and Ruins
… as we explore remnants of the past.

Abandoned Mine, Alevia Circle Track, Spain

Abandoned Mine

Walkers on the Ridge, Alevia Circle Track, Spain

Walkers on the Ridge
As we circle around clockwise, …

View over Unquera Cantabria, Alevia Circle Track, Spain

Unquera Cantabria
… we can see across Cantabria to the Bay of Biscay.

White horse on a green meadow, Alevia Spain

Horse in a Stony Corral

People on the Path, Alevia Circle Track, Spain

People on the Path
The path winds down gently, rewarding us for our earlier hard work.

View over Alevia from the Alevia Circle Track, Spain

Village Below
Soon enough, the red clay roofs of the village come into clear view …

View of mountain peaks from the Alevia Circle Track, Spain

Peak across the Valley
… and we see that distinctive peak across the valley, shrouded in misty rain.

Pots of flowers lining a stoney street, Alevia, Spain

Alevia Street
The streets of the village are clean and colourful.

view from Iglesia de San Antonio, Alevia Spain

From the Church Yard
Back at the church, I again admire the view, …

Detail of a small statue, Iglesia de San Antonio, Alevia Spain

Alcove
… and check out the details around the chapel before returning to the van for the short drive home.

It was a wonderful introduction to some beautiful countryside – and I certainly slept well!

Text: Happy Rambling

Until next time,

Happy Rambling!


Pictures: 23October2019

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