Reserva Natural Integral de Muniellos, Cangas del Narcea Municipality

The Integral Natural Reserve of Muniellos contains the biggest oak forest of Spain and one of the best preserved in Europe, is a paradise of natural, beautiful more to not be able to. Access to the pedestrian route is restricted to 20 people a day, so you have to apply for permission to the Principality of Asturias, what can be done through official website, which also includes much information about the area. The best time to visit is, in our opinion, spring, when the forest shines, and autumn when it is dyed in multiple colors. We on this occasion we went in late September and already the forest otoñaba, but it will still be more beautiful in mid-October; However, as it comes hot summer before will take the forest fall color, and also before will lose leaves which would now determine another landscape, and the winters here are hard. It is there, from the North by Luarca, from the South by Ponferrada and the Northwest by Fonsagrada. To enter the Park and make the route of the reserve of Muniellos, should go to the reception centre which is next to the village of Tablizas, a few kilometres from any of the cottages in the area, on the road AS-348. It must be taken into account are very strict at all, thus, you must appear in person between nine and ten in the morning, if not done so, authorization is lost. You must carry it, which already will have previously sent you the Ministry, on paper or on the phone, because there do not receive the list of visitors of the day and if you do not teach the permission does not enter, get as you get; also take into account that permission in the phone download is sometimes difficult due to lack of coverage. There will inform you of the two itineraries that can be. The possibilities are two, with a possible additive on both. There is a 17.5 km circular route, and another shorter, 14 km roundtrip along the same road; both routes converge at about 7 km from the entrance, and the return is made in both cases by the short route. From the confluence point upload a 1 km road to one of the summits, where you will find the first lagoon. Either of the two routes is classified as hard, so you have to have a certain preparation and fitness to deal with them. You can continue to rise until a second and third Lake, but the path is very badly signposted and difficult; in fact, that day, none of which they entered the Park managed to find it. Another issue that you should take into account is that within the Park it there where buy food or drink, or drinking water sources, and that the short route takes you not less than 7 hours, so you have to supply you. We on this occasion we are satisfied with the short, in total 16 km with the ascent to the lagoon, it may seem that they are not many, but there are very hard sections; in time it usually between 7 and 8 hours. But now let's take a ride: A few meters already you internal in a frondosisimo forest, with varied species, although here the oak Queen, and follow, stuck to it, the course of the river Muniellos counterclockwise to its current. The show that offers River, pools, its rocks, its background transparent with stones of different colors, the mosses, its small waterfalls, crossing a wonderful forest, in shadow, with Sun's rays falling here and there, it's really beautiful,. It is a peaceful March for 4 km and I think the most beautiful part of the route; Here you have to take a decision, or we go back or continue forward, but from here the next 3 km are a pure uphill along a path of pebbles and boulders; should we worry about where you step on more than seeing the landscape (but the worst will be lower). We continued and arrived at the crossing with the long route and begin the ascent to the first lagoon. It is a path very close, very rugged, skirting the mountain on the side, very nice and exciting, sometimes you think you're in the film the mines of King Solomon, or on another adventure explorers; the panoramic view of the forest beyond below and the surrounding mountains is impressive above, at a first Summit, is the lagoon of the color of the trees reflecting in it profusely. It is a kind of boiler or Crown formed by mountains. It's time to eat the sandwich of had, happy, excited, and a little gawk by the views, ora towards the lagoon, ora to the wooded valley. It is time to return but ojo, much to warn at the entrance which must be modular very well time to get there before 6 and a half o'clock. The drop is even harder, there are 4 km of footpath cover stones of slate that is deprendieron of the slopes of mountains, of many sizes and with many edges, which make you suffer much the plant of the feet and ankles, then 4 km calmer. But in the end, everything has paid off by all the beauty that we have been able to enjoy, for the privilege of having entered deep in a single forest, for the satisfaction of the crowned effort. In total we have invested 8 hours, as almost all hikers of the day, what to keep in mind if you travel away from back home.

Nature reserve where you can take a path of 20 kms. surrounded by wild nature. You can choose two routes, a circular (the more demanding physically) ascent for mountain and return together to the River, or do back and forth along the river. Yet for any of the two must be prepared physically, and wear clothes and footwear, since they will be minimum 6 hours of walking on rocky trails. I recommend the circular because you can enjoy unrivalled views. Before starting the route, in the reception centre explain both options and hours approximate to that should be in every point of the route to you time to do it without problem. It is certainly an experience to repeat, in which you enjoy the true meaning of "Natural paradise"