Cueña les Cabres on Angliru is known for its 23.5 percent gradient. The Sierra del Aramo, by contrast, reveals a very different side of Riosa: its upland plateau is shaped by karst formations and sinkholes. Riverside paths and visible traces of copper mining add to the picture. In Riosa, you can encounter landscape, activity and history in very different forms.

Sierra del Aramo and Angliru

The Sierra del Aramo is a limestone range almost 20 kilometres long and seven kilometres wide. The Sierra area encompasses the mountain range between Quirós to the west and Riosa and Morcín to the east. In the north, a paved track leads from the Viapará recreation area via Alto del Angliru towards Gamonal. These geographical references help you find your bearings in the landscape, without implying that the individual routes are the same.

The mountain pass of L'Angliru lies in Riosa. The 23.5 percent gradient of Cueña les Cabres is its defining feature. If you are interested in road cycling routes, the circular route “Bienvenidos al Angliru” gives you a concrete idea of the scale: it is 74 kilometres long and designated for road bikes. The route to Angliru follows a mountain road. The route length and gradient therefore convey two different aspects of the ride: its overall distance and one particularly steep section.

A riverside path or a challenging route?

The Senda fluvial Alberto Suárez Laso offers a different kind of route. It is six kilometres long in total, mostly flat, with some gentle climbs and descents. For most of its length, it follows the banks of the Riosa, Code and Llamo rivers, between the Lleron recreation area and Felguera. Its length, elevation profile and course give you specific points of comparison if you want to compare this riverside path with other ways of exploring Riosa.

The Texeo route has different requirements: it is not signposted and requires physical fitness and a good sense of direction. Particular care is needed near the archaeological site. The prehistoric Minas de Texeo are considered one of the oldest mining complexes in Europe. The Mirador de Texeo offers panoramic views of the surrounding area; a recreation area with benches and tables is right next to it. The views and archaeological history are interesting aspects of this area, but should be considered alongside the route’s specific requirements.

Parking is available at the entrance to Llamo/Ḷḷamo; the first Texeo route signs are beside the spring. Check the parking situation before you travel. The route via Pico La Xistra is also not signposted. There are no water sources there, and it requires mountain experience. Compare the routes according to their respective stated requirements, rather than treating them as equivalent paths.

Chapels, historic buildings and mining history

In Llamo, the Capilla de la Virgen de las Nieves dates from the 17th century. Its murals depict floral motifs, birds and scenes of the Stations of the Cross. In the Valle de la Xuncar stands the Casa de Félix, a 17th-century building and one of the oldest in the municipality of Riosa. The Capilla de San José is also in the Valle de la Xuncar and was built in 1713. Its altarpiece depicts the Virgin Mary, Saint Anthony and Saint Joseph with the Christ Child.

Mining is also part of Riosa’s history and visible heritage. The mining village of Rioseco preserves visible remains of copper mines. The Minas de Texeo add a prehistoric dimension to this picture. A cultural visit can therefore take in several themes: the art in the chapels, the older architectural history of the Casa de Félix and the traces of mining. The Ruta del Agua runs from the Aramo Tunnel to the village of Llamo/Ḷḷamo and provides another named point of reference for exploring the area.

Discover more destinations: Riosa, Soto De Ribera, Ribadedeva, Colunga, Candamo, Carreño, Cabranes, Gijón.

For the broader travel overview: Asturias.