In Cazo, a medieval tower, a church with preserved paintings and a recurring carnival celebration meet routes that vary greatly in difficulty. For your planning, it is therefore important to consider not only whether you are interested in culture or nature, but also which activity you want to shape your stay: a moderately difficult hike with a stated duration, or a very difficult road cycling tour through increasingly rugged mountain terrain.

Tower, Church and Building History

The Torre de Cazo is of medieval origin and is one of the oldest buildings in Asturias. Its strategic position above the Ponga River valley connects the structure with the surrounding landscape. The Iglesia de Santa María de las Nieves also has specific architectural features: its floor plan is cruciform, and the church has a single nave and two chapels. Wall and ceiling paintings are preserved in the southern chapel. The floor plan describes the overall shape, while the nave and chapels divide the building; the paintings, meanwhile, are a surviving detail in a single chapel.

Fiesta del Aguinaldo in Cazo

The Fiesta del Aguinaldo is celebrated on Carnival Saturday in the parish of Cazo. This recurring celebration includes young men riding decorated horses through Cazo and Ambingue, Los Laderos, Tribierto, Cortes, Priesca and Sellaño. The festival connects Cazo with several other named places; Carnival Saturday is the specific date to bear in mind. If you want to plan your trip around the Fiesta, check the event dates for the relevant year.

Hike or Road Cycling Tour?

The Cazu-Collau Fornoriu route is moderately difficult, 3.5 kilometres long, and listed as taking two hours. The climb involves 300 metres of elevation gain, and the trail follows small livestock tracks. The hike begins at the Torre Medieval de Cazo, where you can leave your vehicle. Check parking availability on site and the route conditions before setting off. This lets you factor the distance, duration and climb into your plans.

A very different option is the Cangas de Onís-Sobrefoz cycling tour: a 47-kilometre, very difficult linear route for road bikes. From Collado Moande, it descends to Cazu and then continues to Sellañu, through increasingly rugged mountain terrain. The Torre de Cazo is listed as a point of interest on the cycling tour. In the context of the routes, the tower therefore has two different roles: the hike begins at the Torre Medieval de Cazo, while the cycling tour lists the medieval tower as a point of interest. The two routes differ considerably in activity, distance and difficulty.

The PR.AS-212 offers another historical perspective: in a description published in July 2024, the route passed several hórreos and paneras in Cazu. It also showcased numerous examples of tools once used for working in the fields. This brings the history of agricultural work into view alongside the tower and church architecture.

Ponga and the Nature Park

Cazo belongs to the municipality of Ponga, the entire area of which is included in the Parque Natural de Ponga. Within the municipality, the Centro de Interpretación del Parque Natural de Ponga has a permanent exhibition about the forest as an ecosystem, as well as information about the park’s hiking trails and viewpoints. The centre thus combines knowledge about nature with guidance on trails and viewpoints. As opening arrangements may vary, check opening hours before planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Sellaño, Taranes, San Ignacio.

For the broader travel overview: Ponga.