Peñanes combines sections of the PR AS-143, classified as a Sendero de Pequeño Recorrido (short-distance walking trail), with a rural ensemble designated as a point of interest along the route. Castro del Picu Llera is also nearby. Hiking, landscape and Asturian ethnography thus sit alongside archaeological remains as distinct areas of interest for planning a trip. The named sections of the PR AS-143 include Campo–Peñanes and Peñanes–El Cantu la Roza.
Hiking the PR AS-143
The Campo–Peñanes section takes about an hour on foot and is rated easy. Both details refer to this section. The approximate duration is a useful guide for planning; check the information locally before setting out.
Peñanes–El Cantu la Roza has a different landscape focus: the section is characterized by the contrast between Monsacro and the Cardeo Valley, and by native chestnut and beech forest. This brings two distinct points of reference together: walking time and difficulty rating on one section, and forest and contrasting landscapes on the other.
The viewpoints can also be distinguished by the views they offer. From Peñanes, there are panoramic views across the Santa Eulalia or Santolaya Valley. A noteworthy viewpoint lies beside the trail junction on the descent to Peñanes. On the ascent to Tres el Préu, the PR AS-143 offers south-facing views of the Aramo. These descriptions refer to different views along the route, not to a single viewpoint.
Castro del Picu Llera and Rural Heritage
Castro del Picu Llera stands on a 529-metre-high limestone hill near Peñanes, above the Vegas of Argame and Santa Eulalia. Listed under code IPCA-YA-38-017, it belongs to the Cultural Heritage Inventory of Asturias and is located in Peñanes, in Morcín. It is the only hillfort of this type catalogued in the municipality of Morcín.
The remains include the foundations of a dry-stone defensive wall and an associated settlement terrace. These two structures offer distinct aspects of the archaeological site: fortification and settlement. The hillfort adds a tangible historical dimension to Peñanes, while the PR AS-143 also designates the village’s rural ensemble as a point of interest.
Peñanes features Asturian ethnography and rural settlement patterns, or rural ways of life. Together with the hillfort and the described trail sections, these create a connection between cultural landscape and hiking, although the two need not be experienced in the same way: the village’s rural character is a distinct focus alongside the route’s landscapes.
Getting There and Finding Your Way
Peñanes can be reached via the MO-1 from Santa Eulalia or Santolaya, and via the MO-2 from Campo; access is via the Villar turnoff. From Peñanes to the Church of San Esteban, the route follows a paved road and a concrete track. This information provides guidance on access and surface conditions; local road and trail conditions can change, so it is advisable to check before driving or setting out.
When planning your trip, it helps to weigh the specific areas of interest: those mainly interested in hiking will find sections of the PR AS-143 with different features, from the approximately one-hour section rated easy to the contrast between Monsacro, the Cardeo Valley and the forest. Those more interested in rural heritage can consider the designated ensemble of Peñanes and the nearby hillfort as distinct factors when choosing where to visit.
Discover more destinations: Argame, Las Vegas De Cardeo.
View the wider travel guide: Morcín.
