Tereñes draws attention to a dinosaur site on the coastal cliffs: it is one of Ribadesella’s most important Jurassic sites, and various fossil tracks are visible. The state of the tide is crucial for your visit, as access to the dinosaur cliffs is possible only at low tide. Check the tides for your planned visit in advance and plan your descent accordingly.

Dinosaur Footprints and the Upper Jurassic

The dinosaur site includes four parallel ornithopod tracks, one theropod track, and a distinctive stegosaur track with preserved hand and foot impressions. The site is protected as a natural monument and signposted by the Government of the Principality of Asturias.

The Tereñes–El Faro geological section on the Costa de los Dinosaurios is an exceptional place to observe the different palaeoenvironments that developed in Asturias during the Jurassic. The Vega, Tereñes, and Lastres formations of the Upper Jurassic are exposed on the cliffs between Tereñes and the Ribadesella lighthouse. This extends the geological perspective beyond the individual dinosaur tracks to the rock formations along this stretch of coast.

Palaeoenvironments refers to environmental conditions in the past. In Tereñes, the focus is on the different conditions that developed in Asturias during the Jurassic; the Upper Jurassic formations provide a tangible geological context for this subject. The cliffs also offer views of the sea and the Escapa and El Sueve mountain ranges.

Access to the Cliffs

From the centre of Ribadesella, reach the site via the N-632 towards Oviedo, then take the signposted turn-offs to Tereñes. You can walk to the site from the upper part of the village. At the crossroads, a path leads past an information board and down to the cliffs. The state of the tide remains crucial for access: the dinosaur cliffs can be visited only at low tide.

Routes and Views

The Entreplayas route runs entirely within the municipality of Ribadesella, between Santa Marina and Vega beaches. It follows the lighthouse road uphill towards Tereñes, passes through the village, and continues towards Abéu. After Abéu, the route follows an unpaved track and descends towards Playa de Vega.

A separate route description concerns the gravel cycling route from Ribadesella to Villaviciosa: it climbs to the recreation area at Faro de Tereñes. The destinations are therefore clearly distinct: Entreplayas runs between Santa Marina and Vega, while the gravel route heads towards Villaviciosa and the recreation area at the Faro. Faro de Tereñes is a lookout tower built in 1861 on Monte Somos.

Fiesta de La Santina

The local profile also includes its patron saint’s festival: Fiesta de La Santina is celebrated in honour of the Virgen de Las Nieves. This gives Tereñes a cultural point of interest alongside its geological attractions. Festival dates may vary; if you would like to include the celebration in your trip, check the latest dates in advance.

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