Andara in the Footsteps of the Miners

Jim Arymar

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This wonderfully contrasting hike in the north central Picos de Europa follows ways created by the mining industry. Apart from the industrial history, we shall enjoy truly breathtaking mountain scenery, alpine-like pastures and cool beech forests.

From just outside the picturesque mountain village of Sotres we begin by following a gently ascending track that will, after just over an hour, bring us to the little refuge of Caseton de Andara, formerly one of the buildings of what was the centre of the copper and zinc mining in this area. On the way we shall enjoy wonderful pastoral scenery reminiscent of the Austrian Alpine regions.

From here our way flattens out as we circle the base of Pica de Macondiú and soon begin a long descent which continues through Beech forest, once an important source of timber for the mining industry which ceased production in the 1960s. This delightful woodland way now continues, off and on, for most of the rest of the hike. Occasional open areas allow us to continue to enjoy the wonderful mountain scenery with fields ablaze with wildflowers and full of butterflies and bees. Cattle and horses roam freely and we may be fortunate enough to spot wild deer and mountain goats as well as a wide range of birdlife.

Towards the end we hike high above the spectacular Valdedziema Gorge before being confronted by a short and rather unwelcome climb which, after fifteen minutes, returns us to the car parking area from where we started.

Spain - North West Spain - Asturias - Picos de Europa