Endriga lies in the Saliencia Valley, one of the five valleys in Somiedo Natural Park. The natural park was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2000. Local highlights range from traditional Asturian architecture to a circular walk: the Saliencia–Éndriga–Saliencia route follows the former link between the two villages. This offers a chance to consider buildings and landscape as different aspects of a visit.
Culture and traditional building styles
Typical buildings of the mountain region can be seen in Endriga, including a hórreo and a traditional thatched cabana. There are also two mills in the village. One is no longer in use and is attached to a house on the riverbank. The hórreo and cabana offer different points of reference for the mountain region’s architectural heritage; the mill is described in terms of both its riverside location and its disused status. The theme therefore encompasses not only visible traditional building styles, but also a structure that is no longer in use.
San Salvador: architecture and furnishings
The Church of San Salvador follows the traditional and vernacular Asturian architectural style of the 17th and 18th centuries. Inside is an altarpiece that, according to tradition, came from the former church at Venta de la Mesa, which was destroyed in the 18th century. One of the altars at San Salvador was created by Manuel Fernández Manjoya and documented in 1755, according to Germán Ramallo. These details refer to different furnishings: the reported origin applies to the altarpiece, while the date applies to another altar. The architectural style, the reported origin of the altarpiece and the documented date of the altar can therefore be considered three distinct aspects of the church.
The circular walk and its landscape
The Saliencia–Éndriga–Saliencia circular walk is completely flat and takes no more than 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. It follows the former path that connected Saliencia and Endriga. The maximum duration is a guide for walking at a leisurely pace, not a precise guarantee for every pace: the actual walking time also depends on trail conditions. Along the route, the path follows the river past meadows irrigated by channels branching off from the river.
The route also includes a significant example of riverside woodland. Numerous small birds live along the riverbanks and in the wooded areas; sightings are not guaranteed. The river links several specific landscape features: it runs alongside the path, its channels supply water to irrigate the meadows, and its banks and wooded areas provide habitat for small birds. The same route thus brings together the path, the flow of water and riverside woodland as distinct natural features.
Getting to Endriga
The road route runs from the AS-227 at La Malva via a turnoff onto the SD-1 to Endriga. Check road conditions before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Robledo, Cuadroveña, Bodé, Carraluz, Boal, Ricabo, Coviella, Sotiello
For the broader travel overview: Asturias.
