Walking in Asturias 4

One of our favourite short walks that takes you into the Picos national park with stunning mountain views, different types of native trees and beautiful flora and fauna, is the path along the river Dobra; reported to be one of the cleanest rivers in Europe due to the lack of human activity along its short course. The river rushes down the mountains through a narrow gorge and slows down towards the end of its course and before it empties its waters into the river Sella.

The route is an easy walk along a well established path that starts in the village of Tornin, a 30 minute drive from La Pasera. After leaving the car park, you soon start walking along meadows full of grass to be harvested any day now and teaming with wild flowers and butterflies. You soon encounter numerous wells and small water falls where the colours of the water and the rock formations are very impressive.


The views of the mountains through the clearing in the woodlands helps you to remember that you are walking in the national park and which often gives you an occasional sighting of a raptor riding the thermals.
After about 1 hour and 30 minutes you reach St Vincent's Well, a wide lagoon of clear water reflecting light, the blue skies and the greenery of the trees that surround it.


A few meters further up you can sit by the impressive waterfall from where you can jump into the lagoon below for a dip if the water is not too cold. We recently took a picnic with some friends and forgot the passage of time, an easy and relaxing way to spend a Summer afternoon.