Four plans, from shortest to longest
On foot, the trail changes scale: you hear the river, you smell the forest and the gorge walls grow enormous. The secret is choosing how far to walk.
On foot, distances rule, so the right question is not "should I do the trail?" but "how much of the trail should I do?". These are the four plans that work, from shortest to longest:
The smallest plan with the biggest reward: from the Buyera recreation area to the bear enclosure viewpoint it is 800 flat metres. Ideal with very young children, grandparents or any visitor who wants to see the bear without a hike. Informal parking at the area itself.
The families' favourite: park in Proaza (20 free spaces), walk to the enclosure, say hello to Molina and head back to the village for lunch or a vermouth. Flat, shaded and with a gastronomic finish.
The walk with the most scenery: it crosses the Peñas Juntas gorge and the historic railway tunnels before reaching the enclosure. Just the right dose of hiking for a full morning.
The traverse: the whole Teverga valley downhill — long tunnels, Valdecerezales, iron bridges — ending at the enclosure. Come back on the valley bus or by shuttling cars. The full route to Tuñón is 22 km and 5-6 hours: perfectly doable, better split over two days if you want to enjoy it.
By the clock
Timings from the bicisendadeloso.es walking guide, 2026 season.
Buyera to the enclosure, one way
Proaza–enclosure loop
Tuñón–enclosure loop
full route, 22 km
Of trail end to end if you do it in one go: 5-6 hours of walking.
The Entrago–Proaza section, everyone's favourite for photos
Entrago–Proaza: tunnels carved into the rock, the Valdecerezales gorge and the Teverga valley opening and closing at every bend. We take a stand and tell you why in the section guide.
Fountains along the route — Entrago, Proaza, Buyera and Tuñón — all with a basin that is easy to drink from.
The trail is open to dogs all year round, with one non-negotiable rule: always on a leash — Asturian regulations set fines of up to €300 for letting your dog loose, and besides, the path is shared with bikes and there is livestock nearby.
In return, the terrain is a gift for their paw pads: compacted gravel, 80% tree shade between Entrago and Proaza, and tunnels that run 4-5 degrees cooler in summer.
Water is taken care of: there are four fountains along the route — Entrago, Proaza, Buyera and Tuñón — all with a basin that is easy to drink from.
Two insider warnings: near Proaza, flocks graze under the watch of mastiffs (keep 50 metres away, walk calmly and never run), and dogs are not allowed at the Molina enclosure viewpoint — take turns, the visit takes 15-20 minutes.
Going by bike? There are dedicated dog trailers at the rental point: standard up to 20 kg (€25/day) and XXL up to 30 kg (€32), with a safety net, inner leash and waterproof cover. Running leashed beside the bike only if your dog already does 5 km regularly — and never with puppies, flat-nosed breeds or above 25 degrees.
Keep 50 metres away, walk calmly and never run when you meet the flocks.
Take turns to look into the enclosure: the visit takes 15-20 minutes.
Cut it short and win
Walking with kids, the golden rule is to cut it short: better a short section conquered than a long one endured. The star itinerary is Buyera–enclosure (20 minutes with the bear at the end); with children who already walk well, the Proaza loop (5 km) adds the appeal of the village and an afternoon snack.
With a stroller? It can be done, with caveats: the compacted surface calls for an all-terrain stroller — wheels of 30 cm or more and suspension; with small urban wheels you will struggle.
The stops save the day: Buyera has picnic tables and a fountain, Proaza has a café, and between tunnel and tunnel the games invent themselves. In summer, the happy ending is dipping your feet in the river by the bridges.
A 20-minute flat stroll with Molina the bear waiting at the end: unbeatable with the youngest ones.
5 km for children who already walk well, with the village and a snack on the way back as the incentive.
Wheels of 30 cm or more and suspension; the stops at Buyera and Proaza save the day.
The guides in this section
The 0.8 to 5 km sections that work well with children, recommended ages, strollers and stops with a reward at the end.
The rules, the mandatory leash, water fountains along the route and the shadiest sections for your dog.
We take a stand: Entrago–Proaza, with its rock-cut tunnels and the gorge. And when it looks its best.
Pick your distance
Four walking plans with Molina the bear's enclosure as the reward: from the 20-minute stroll from Buyera to the full valley traverse. Browse the sections and pick yours.
Ruta del OsoSenda del Oso greenway22 km of car-free pathMore than 30 tunnelsMolina the bearTeverga · Proaza · Santo Adriano · QuirósAsturias, Spain Ruta del OsoSenda del Oso greenway22 km of car-free pathMore than 30 tunnelsMolina the bearTeverga · Proaza · Santo Adriano · QuirósAsturias, Spain Ruta del OsoSenda del Oso greenway22 km of car-free pathMore than 30 tunnelsMolina the bearTeverga · Proaza · Santo Adriano · QuirósAsturias, Spain Ruta del OsoSenda del Oso greenway22 km of car-free pathMore than 30 tunnelsMolina the bearTeverga · Proaza · Santo Adriano · QuirósAsturias, Spain 