Peña Pagadín is a 419-metre-high limestone massif; Cova Rosa lies at the foot of its rocky ridge. Other highlights include a history of finds dating back around 17,000 years, Casa del Barréu and the San Juan festival in June. These topics should be treated differently when planning a trip to Sardedo: Cova Rosa is not open to the public, while a circular hike over Peña Pagadín has steep sections and a possible risk of falling.

Landscape: Massif and depression

Peña Pagadín lies between Calabrez, Pandu, Sardéu and Linares; Sardéu is at the foot of the massif. Cova Rosa is also in Sardéu, at the foot of Peña Pagadín’s rocky ridge and at the bottom of a closed depression. The cave is 5.5 kilometres in a straight line from today’s coastline. These figures describe different scales: 419 metres is the height of the massif, while 5.5 kilometres is the straight-line distance from the cave to the coast.

Cova Rosa: Protection and Prehistory

Cova Rosa is designated as a partial nature reserve because it is home to a significant colony of endangered insects. Public access and speleological and tourist-cultural use are prohibited. Check the regulations locally again before your trip. The site is also significant for prehistory: bone tools dating back around 17,000 years have been found in Cova Rosa. Nature conservation and archaeological history are therefore two distinct aspects of the cave; the find does not change the current access restriction.

Casa del Barréu and San Juan

Casa del Barréu in Sardéu dates from the 16th century. During the Peninsular War, the municipal administration that had fled Ribadesella assembled there. The house thus links its period of construction with a later episode in the municipality’s history: it served as a meeting place for an administration that had left Ribadesella.

The San Juan festival in honour of the patron saint is held in Sardéu in June and celebrated annually. The festival thus adds a seasonal element to trip planning, while Casa del Barréu and the bone tools represent other historical themes. If San Juan is the reason for your stay, check the exact dates and programme before travelling.

Circular hike to Peña Pagadín

A circular hike starts in Sardéu, passes over Peña Pagadín and Blenosa, and returns to Sardéu. It is approximately 3.75 kilometres long. The route has steep sections, with the possibility of a sheer drop to the side. Conditions may vary, so check access conditions before setting out. The approximate length is not the only factor to consider: the steepness and possible risk of falling should also be taken into account.

San Juan offers a clear reason to choose June for your trip. Casa del Barréu and the history of the finds, on the other hand, offer historical themes that are not tied to a single festival date. This lets you decide whether the festival or local and prehistoric history will be the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Ardines, Camango, Alea, Sardalla.

Back to the main travel overview: Ribadesella.