Bedriñana brings together a pre-Romanesque church nave and the Ruta de Carlos V, a linear mountain hike of around 11 kilometres. These two themes call for different planning considerations: at San Andrés de Bedriñana, seasonal visiting hours are key; on the route, it is its course and the landscape. This lets you decide in advance whether to focus your stay more on architecture, hiking or both.

San Andrés: Pre-Romanesque Architecture

San Andrés de Bedriñana was declared a National Monument in 1931. From its foundations to its cornice, the present church nave is in the pre-Romanesque style. At the same time, the church illustrates the transition from Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture to rural Romanesque. The two perspectives complement each other: one describes the design of the nave, while the other places it in its architectural context.

In July and August, San Andrés can be visited free of charge on Tuesdays and Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. Visits are therefore limited to specific days of the week and a particular season. Factor this time slot into your day’s plans and check the visiting hours before travelling.

More Architectural Details

At the Hórreo de La Pola in Bedriñana, the end of one of the liños features a carved figure of a pregnant woman. The focus here is on a single motif on a specific structural element; at San Andrés, by contrast, the focus is on the pre-Romanesque style and the transition to rural Romanesque.

Near the Palacio García-Mauriño stands a large dovecote with a circular ground plan and a conical roof. On the south side of the Palacio, an upper-floor corridor runs between two side rooms with framed openings. The surviving architectural details thus range from a carved motif to the spatial layout of a building and the form of a freestanding tower.

Ruta de Carlos V: Hiking and Heritage

The Ruta de Carlos V (PR-AS 302) is an easy, linear mountain route of around 11 kilometres between Tazones and Villaviciosa; it passes through Bedriñana. Along the way, it crosses marshland, passes waterfalls, and leads to pre-Romanesque churches and charming villages. Nature, heritage and historical memory come together along this route. Unlike a single building, the route offers a longer succession of landscape and cultural experiences.

The length and linear layout give you an idea of the scale of the hike; no walking time is specified. Check the condition of the trail and your route-finding before setting off. This lets you plan the route as a trip in its own right, rather than equating its distance with the church’s limited visiting hours.

Festival and Accommodation

The Fiesta de La Velilla also offers a glimpse of local communal traditions. A report from 2026 describes an annual picnic in the countryside, bringing together hundreds of people from across the municipality. A procession with the Virgen de La Velilla also took place on the main day of the July 2026 festivities. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the dates for the relevant year.

El Llagarín II is a country house in Bedriñana available to rent as a whole. Check availability directly. It has two beds and two rooms.

Discover more destinations: Amandi, San Miguel, Puelles, Cazanes, Argüero, Selorio, Collado, Villaviciosa

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