Top 6 Mountain Passes around Proaza

Proaza is renowned for its challenging cycling terrain. The View of El Angliru is legendary, known as one of the toughest ascents globally with extreme gradients. Another popular route is the Cruz de Linares, offering a challenging climb from Proaza with great views. For a different experience, the Ricabo Track provides a scenic gravel/paved ascent through a forest, revealing stunning views of the Quirós and Teverga Valleys.

Yes, the Senda del Oso (Bear's Path) is an excellent option for families. This 40-kilometer route follows a disused mining railway track, making it relatively flat and easy for both hiking and cycling. Highlights include the spectacular Desfiladero de Peñas Juntas gorge, a walkway over the Valdemurio reservoir, and the Cercado de los Osos, where you might spot Cantabrian brown bears Paca and Tola. You can find various cycling tours around this area, such as the "Senda del Oso – Peñas Juntas Gorge loop from Proaza" or the "Medieval Tower of Proaza – Valdemurrio Reservoir loop from Proaza" in the Cycling around Proaza guide.

The mountain passes around Proaza offer diverse natural beauty. From the View of El Angliru, you can witness unparalleled panoramic vistas. The Ricabo Track provides views of the Quirós and Teverga Valleys, often with a beautiful sea of clouds at the top. The Road from Puerto de La Cobertoria to Santa Marina offers great views of the surroundings, including the Forcichave Viewpoint. Additionally, the Ruta de las Xanas gorge is known for its stunning rock formations and visual spectacle.

Beyond the Senda del Oso, the Sierra de Sobia to Pico Barzanalgas area offers challenging hiking routes, traversing the municipalities of Teverga, Proaza, and Quirós. This region, part of the Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park, provides stunning natural landscapes and panoramic views. For experienced hikers seeking demanding ascents and rewarding vistas, Pico Forcada and Pico de la Olla are excellent choices. You can also find various running trails, including loops around the Valdemurio Reservoir, in the Running Trails around Proaza guide.

Absolutely. The Alto de l'Angliru, accessible from the View of El Angliru, is famous for its extreme gradients, with some sections exceeding 22%. It's considered one of the toughest mountain passes in Europe. The Cruz de Linares also presents a significant challenge, with an average gradient of nearly 9% over 7 km. For road cycling enthusiasts, routes like the "San Lorenzo, Somiedo, and Ventana Passes Loop" or the "Senda del Oso and Puertos de Marabio Loop" offer demanding experiences, as detailed in the Road Cycling Routes around Proaza guide.

Yes, the region around Proaza is known for its natural heritage, including being a refuge for the Cantabrian Brown Bear. The most reliable place to spot bears is at the Cercado de los Osos (Bear Enclosure) along the Senda del Oso, where Paca and Tola, two Cantabrian brown bears, live in semi-freedom. While sightings in the wild are rare, the presence of these bears highlights the rich biodiversity of the mountainous terrain.

The Summit of the Puertos de Marabio, at 1,225 meters, is a spectacular port offering three beautiful ascent variants. For example, the San Pedro variant is 19.40 km long with a 910m drop and an average slope of 4.69%, reaching a maximum of 18%. The Villamayor variant is shorter but steeper, with an average slope of 7.12% and a maximum of 21%. It's a popular destination for cyclists seeking challenging climbs and rewarding views.

Yes, the Road from Puerto de La Cobertoria to Santa Marina is often enjoyed as a descent. It's a quiet road in good condition that offers great views of the surroundings. You can make a stop at the Forcichave Viewpoint during the descent to take in the scenery.

The Ricabo Track is a very nice gravel/paved road with barely any vehicles. It ascends approximately 800 meters through a forest, taking you through the tree line. While the beginning has leading percentages, the end features a harder, looser terrain. It offers stunning views of the Quirós and Teverga Valleys, the Sierra del Aramo, La Peña Sobia, and the Gamoniteiru, with fairytale forests.

The best time to visit the mountain passes around Proaza is generally during the spring, summer, and early autumn months (April to October). During these periods, the weather is typically more favorable for outdoor activities like cycling and hiking, with milder temperatures and less chance of snow or ice at higher elevations. The verdant valleys are at their most beautiful, and the views are clearer.

Yes, the Ruta de las Xanas is a spectacular gorge route near Proaza, known for its stunning rock formations carved by the Las Xanas stream. The path offers a visual spectacle, with views of stalactites from ancient caves. The Desfiladero de Peñas Juntas, part of the Senda del Oso, is another impressive gorge section that follows the old mining train route.