See all the sections
The most beautiful section of the Ruta del Oso is the one linking Entrago with Proaza, in the Teverga valley: some 12 km with tunnels carved into the rock and the gorge where the trail squeezes between walls. And yes, we take a stand.
The winning section, and why
Many guides answer that "the whole trail is beautiful", which is true and completely useless. We are clear about it: Entrago-Proaza. Three reasons.
- First, the tunnels. They belong to the old mining railway, carved into the living rock, and going through them is the part kids would repeat on a loop.
- Second, the gorge: past Caranga the mountain closes in over the trail and for a good while you walk with the rock overhead and the river at your side.
- Third, the contrast: the Teverga valley keeps opening and closing, and every bend changes the scenery.
In 10-12 km you get more variety than in the rest of the network combined.
When it looks its best
Spring paints it deep green, with the river running full; it is our favourite time to walk it. In autumn the beech woods on the slopes turn copper and there are far fewer people.
In August it is still well worth it, with one trick: the tunnels and the gorge stay in the shade, so the heat is easier to bear here than on the open sections. You have the month-by-month detail in the best time to do the route.
How to do it
On foot: Entrago to Proaza takes about 3 hours with stops. If you can leave a car at each end, do it one way only and you will have the whole afternoon to spare. With less time, the short version is Entrago-Caranga: tunnels and gorge concentrated.
By bike: it works as the finale of the big ride from Tuñón, or as a stand-alone section if you would rather pedal little and stop often. The rental with return transfer included solves the way back: you pedal the beautiful part and the transfer takes care of the return.
Two worthy alternatives
If the bear enclosure rules your plan (with kids it usually does), the Tuñón-Proaza section wins hands down: less spectacular, more entertaining for them. And if you are after solitude, the Quirós branch with the Valdemurio reservoir is the quiet corner of the network; you have all three branches on the full map to decide with everything in front of you.
The greenway's official factsheet is at viasverdes.com.
Ruta del Oso