In Panes, bowling culture and distinctive buildings meet riverside routes and trails through the countryside. Options range from insights into the region’s sporting tradition to a section of the GR109 Asturias Interior. The Cueva de La Loja in El Mazo is also nearby, about two kilometres away. When planning, it is worth distinguishing the town’s cultural attractions from its different route options.

Bowling culture in Panes

The Museo de los Bolos de Asturias in Panes is Spain’s first museum dedicated to this traditional sport. The ground floor presents how skittles and balls are made and how the playing area is prepared. It also features a collection of related tools, along with texts and photographs. On the upper floor, the 14 types of bowling practised in Asturias are grouped into “derribo” and “aventado”. The museum’s themes thus range from equipment and preparation to the classification of the different types of play. If you are planning a visit, check the latest visitor information.

Architectural history in Plaza Nueva

The Palacio de San Román dates from the late 17th century. This rural palace includes a neoclassical façade, a freestanding chapel and various outbuildings used for agriculture. It is considered the most interesting, complete and best-preserved group of buildings among the Mier family houses in the eastern municipalities of Asturias. Plaza Nueva was created in 1934–1935 and includes the public schools, a bowling alley and the Museo de los Bolos de Asturias.

The parish church of San Vicente also tells a story of earlier architecture: the historicist church replaced a Romanesque predecessor that was destroyed in 1936. The palace, square and church thus represent different architectural forms and periods. Those interested in local history can explore these themes not only in the museum but also in the buildings themselves.

Rock art near El Mazo

The Cueva de La Loja in El Mazo is about two kilometres from Panes and is one of the classic sites of Palaeolithic rock art. The engraved animal depictions include several cattle and a horse. Visits are seasonal and guided. Guided tours of the Cueva y Aula Didáctica de La Loja are listed as lasting around 45 minutes, with a limit of 35 people per day. As visitor arrangements may change, check the latest information before planning and confirm whether a reservation is required.

Routes with different profiles

The GR109 Asturias Interior section from Panes to Alles starts at the Panes Botanical Garden. It first crosses the floodplain of the lower Deva; explanatory botanical signs are placed along this initial section. The 17.85-kilometre section is rated moderate. It follows the slopes of the Sierra del Cuera Protected Landscape and connects the main towns of Peñamellera Baja and Peñamellera Alta. Check the signs on site.

Another option is the Panes–Cimiano–Endilaila–Panes route, which you can do on foot or by mountain bike. The GR109 gives a specific distance and difficulty rating; for the loop, the two possible ways of getting around are a useful guide when choosing. Check current route conditions on site here, too.

On the banks of the Deva-Cares

La Brañona is a wooded recreation area on the banks of the Deva-Cares River in Panes. From the town centre, a 1.5-kilometre paved path leads to the football pitch beside the area. The Paseo de las Escolleras is another riverside path. Depending on your interests, you can choose between a described route, a path to the recreation area and a riverside walk, without treating them as the same kind of outing.

Discover more destinations: Alevia, Abándames.

Back to the wider travel guide: Peñamellera Baja.