In Zarréu, the route to Laguna de Changreiro begins at the Iglesia de Santa María de Cerredo. The church is listed as a BIC monument and is dated mainly to the period from the 14th to the 18th century. From here, the climb passes traditional features of land use: cortines, corripas and carriles offer a glimpse of Degaña’s rural cultural landscape along the hike.
Discover Culture and Crafts
Casa Florencio in Zarréu also tells the story of the area’s architecture and everyday life. The manor house dates from the 19th century and has a traditional two-storey L-shaped layout enclosing a paved courtyard. The same estate is home to a slate-roofed hórreo, a traditional granary, and a chapel. Inside is a polychrome Baroque altarpiece from the first half of the 18th century.
Casa Florencio houses Degaña’s municipal tourist office and the SEPTIMIVS NERVA exhibition. It is listed as temporary; check before your visit whether it is currently on display. You can encounter another living craft tradition at El Rincón Cunqueiru in Trabáu, where you can visit a workshop where cunqueiru woodcraft is still practised.
Mining History on the Ground
Industrial traces also shape explorations of Cerredo and Zarréu. The linear Paisaje minero e industrial de Cerredo route starts in Cerredo, is 9.08 kilometres long and is of moderate difficulty. Two detours offer opportunities to interpret industrial and mining remains. Zarréu itself is a mining settlement with archaeological remains from its industrial history. In El Rebol.lar, the remains of a Roman gold-mining operation can be seen.
Around El Corralín, the most important remains of Roman gold mining and the associated hillfort settlements lie within the protected area. These traces link local history with a much older use of the landscape. Exploring Degaña’s sites and trails reveals different traces of work and settlement, rather than just one chapter of mining history.
Mountain Landscapes and Hikes
The Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias Nature Park covers practically all of Degaña. High mountain ranges and green valleys form an ecosystem typical of the Cantabrian Mountains. The habitats described include oak woods, birch trees, yews and holly; the area is also home to endangered brown bears, wildcats and capercaillies. Information about these species describes Degaña’s natural environment, not a guarantee that you will see them on an outing.
Near Cerredo, the Puerto Cerredo recreation area lies on an alpine meadow. At an altitude of 1,341 metres, it offers views of Peña Mayor and the valley of the River Cerredo. This means that, alongside longer hikes, you can also enjoy the scenery from a specific location. If approaching from the south, take the AS-15 to reach Degaña.
The route to Laguna de Changreiro is listed as 3.87 kilometres one way, taking about one hour and 40 minutes, with a moderately difficult climb. By contrast, the Robledal y laguna de Brañolina hike starts in Fonduveigas and passes through woodland and heathland to the lagoon’s mountain pass. The round trip covers 13.8 kilometres, takes about five hours and includes 936 metres of elevation gain. Comparing the routes helps with planning your time: the first is described as a one-way route, while the second is explicitly a round trip. Check local trail conditions before both hikes; conditions on the route to Brañolina may vary seasonally.
The Por Donde Camina el Oso route passes through Tablado, Trabáu and Degaña within the municipality of Degaña. Together with the routes to the lagoon and the traces of mining, it reveals different sides of the area without requiring you to follow a set itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Degaña, Tablado, Peñamellera Baja, Campiellos, Ribadedeva, Mieres, Oriente De Asturias, San Tirso De Abres.
For the broader travel overview: Asturias.
