San Martín Del Rey Aurelio tells its mining story not only in exhibition spaces: at Pozo Sotón, a visit takes you underground, while MUMI conveys the world of work through collections and a scale model of a mine. There is also an outstanding dolmen, trails along the Nalón and festival traditions in which stuffed onions, peppers or turnips take centre stage in different ways. This makes it possible to explore the municipality according to a range of interests.

Mining Above and Below Ground

Pozo Sotón is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest. The protected site includes two headframes, the surrounding structure, the engine house and the union office. At the same time, it offers an immersive visitor experience: visitors can walk through the galleries and, accompanied by HUNOSA specialists, carry out mining activities. The underground visit goes to a depth of more than half a kilometre; along the way, you travel on foot and by mine train. If you are planning this visit, check the booking conditions before your trip.

The Museo de la Minería y de la Industria de Asturias (MUMI) in L’Entregu/El Entrego offers a different perspective. It was designed as a tribute to mining in Asturias. Its themes include images of mining, machinery, minerals, bibliographic material and resources on the sociology of mining work. It also features a scale model of a mine, accessible by lift, and part of the tour takes place on an underground train. While Pozo Sotón focuses on an immersive underground experience, MUMI combines collections, interpretation and recreated mining spaces.

A Dolmen and Trails on Different Scales

The Dolmen de la Mesa de los Moros is considered a notable feature of a Neolithic burial mound necropolis listed in the Archaeological Charter of Asturias. The Ruta Dolménica L’Españal runs from La Casilla to the dolmen and is about three kilometres long. Explanatory signs, information totems and a viewpoint line the route. It is described as easy and suitable for people accustomed to walking. From Blimea, take the SM-7 road to reach the starting point; check access conditions before your trip.

At 50 kilometres, the Anillo del Rey Aurelio is on a much larger scale. This circular mountain route is described as suitable for mountain biking and trekking and runs along the edge of the municipality on forest tracks, trails and local roads. The two routes differ in both length and format: one is a themed route of about three kilometres leading to a dolmen; the other is an extensive circuit across different types of terrain.

The Paseo Fluvial runs along the banks of the Nalón through the entire municipality, linking it with Laviana and Langreo. Between Sotrondio and L’Entregu/El Entrego, there is also a two-kilometre Finnish-style running track parallel to the river. As conditions at recreational facilities can change, it is worth checking their current status shortly before your visit.

Landscape and Places to Take a Break

The Cuencas Mineras Protected Landscape includes areas of San Martín del Rey Aurelio in the Nalón basin. Its valleys and slopes are used for hiking and mountain excursions. The Santa Bárbara valley offers different geographical landmarks: it lies between the Sierra de la Espina and the Sierra de San Mamés, while the Santa Bárbara River flows from La Colladiella to the Nalón.

The La Isla recreational area is near Blimea. Its facilities include a tennis court, a Finnish-style running track, play equipment for children, exercise facilities for older adults, as well as tables and benches. Its offerings are therefore different from those of the long Anillo del Rey Aurelio or the themed route leading to the dolmen: La Isla brings together a variety of leisure options in one place.

Festivals and Regional Dishes

In Sotrondio, the Fiesta de los Nabos is recognised as a Festival of Tourist Interest of the Principality of Asturias. During the festival, restaurants, sidrerías and eateries serve a traditional turnip menu, often accompanied by tripe and casadielles, fayuelos or rice pudding for dessert. If you are travelling for a festival, check the dates for the current edition.

The Fiesta de les Cebolles Rellenes features a multi-day cultural and leisure programme with music and a cooking competition for stuffed onions. The dish Les Cebolles Rellenes, which originates in L’Entregu/El Entrego, has its own culinary history: it is said to have originated with the cook Aniceta Fueyo, known as “la Nina,” in the 1940s, when she developed it for Lent.

In Blimea, the Fiesta de los Pimientos Rellenos combines food-related activities with concerts, folk performances, a stuffed pepper competition and theatre shows. It is considered Asturias’s only stuffed pepper competition and has a forty-year tradition. Here too, it is advisable to check the dates and programme for the current edition in advance.

Discover more destinations: San Martín Del Rey Aurelio, Mieres, Montaña Central, Aller, Proaza, Oviedo, Ponga, Gozón

For the main travel overview: Asturias.