GETTING THERE & AROUND

Ryanair, Vueling and Wizz Air fly from the UK to the Asturian capital, Oviedo. Average journey time 2h. ryanair.com wizzair.com vueling.com Ferries run from Portsmouth/Plymouth to Santander, two hours by road to Oviedo. Average sailing time 24h.

The Spanish Renfe train network serves Oviedo and other Asturian towns, but the interior is mountainous, and most visitors rent a car to cross the region on the Autopista del Cantábrico. renfe.com

WHEN TO GO

August is high season for hiking in Asturias. Spring and autumn are cooler and quieter. Cantabrian brown bears are most active in May. Winter can be attractively but prohibitively snowy.

PLACES MENTIONED

Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias Natural Park. fuentesdelnarcea.org Muniellos Forest. muniellos.es

Casa Chema. casachema.com

Picos de Europa National Park. parquenacionalpicoseuropa.es Sotres village. asturias.com

Quesería Maín. quesosdecabrales.es

WHERE TO STAY

Parador de Corias, Cangas del Narcea. From £75. paradores.es

Casa Miño, Somiedo. From £50. hotelcasamino.com

Parador de Cangas de Onis. From £85. paradores.es

Casa Cipriano, Sotres. From £60. casacipriano.com

HOW TO DO IT

ProNatura offers guided wildlife tours in Asturias from £35 per day, including transport and activities but not meals and accommodation. pronaturaturismosostenible.com S-Cape Travel arranges self-guided eight or 12-day trekking tours in the Picos de Europa and Cabrales region from £450 per person, accommodation and dinners included, airport transfers on request. s-capetravel.eu