Lakes of Saliencia & Bear Path tour from Asturias

Glacier lakes, mountain villages, and bears in one Asturian day

A full-day tour of Asturias's Natural Park of Somiedo combines three distinct landscapes: the glacier-formed Lakes of Saliencia with their mountain viewpoints, the traditional village of Pola de Somiedo, and the Bear Path in Proaza where Cantabrian brown bears live in semi-freedom. An official guide leads throughout, with air-conditioned transport between sites and free time in the village to eat local food. Choose your departure city (Oviedo or Gijón) at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Somiedo and Bear Path

• Start at Alto de la Farrapona
• Discover Lakes of Saliencia
• Visit Mirador de la Cueva viewpoint
• Travel to Pola de Somiedo
• Take guided orientation tour
• Free time to explore village
• Enjoy traditional Asturian cuisine
• Move to council of Proaza
• Walk the Bear Path with guide
• Visit osero fence to see bears

The experience

The day starts at the Alto de la Farrapona, where the Lakes of Saliencia spread across a glacier-carved basin. Lake Cave and Lake Black sit ringed by Cantabrian peaks, and you walk the natural viewpoints to take in the scale of them. The route is moderate and the air thin at altitude. The guide explains how glaciers shaped this corner of the park and what lives in the high meadows around you.

After the lakes, you head down to Pola de Somiedo for a short orientation walk through the village, then have free time to wander on your own. This is where you eat: Asturian food, local cider, the kind of meal that anchors a mountain day. The village sits in the valley floor, and the rhythm here is entirely different from the exposed peaks you just left.

The afternoon moves to the council of Proaza and the famous Bear Path. A guide walks you through the recovery of the Cantabrian brown bear, nearly extinct thirty years ago, and you visit the osero fence where several live in semi-freedom. The guide fills in the landscape and local history as you go, connecting the high park, the village traditions and this single species that has become the symbol of Asturian wilderness.

What’s included

• Access to the Natural Park of Somiedo.
• official guide throughout the day in English or Spanish.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers between the lakes, village and Bear Path.

Options for this experience

4 options

Gijón departure, Spanish-language tourAvailable from 20 Mar 2027Meeting point: Panadería Manín, C. 17 de Agosto, 4, Centro, 33205 Gijón, Asturias, Spain

Oviedo departure, Spanish-language tourAvailable from 20 Mar 2027Meeting point: C. Uría, 58, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

Oviedo departure, English-language tourAvailable from 20 Mar 2027Meeting point: C. Uría, 58, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

Gijón departure, English-language tourAvailable from 20 Mar 2027Meeting point: Panadería Manín, C. 17 de Agosto, 4, Centro, 33205 Gijón, Asturias, Spain

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 20 Mar 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 55

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Buendía

Is this one for you?The full 10-hour day packs three distinct Asturian landscapes (high glacier lakes, a working mountain village, and a wildlife reserve) into one route, so you see the region's range without splitting it across multiple bookings. The guide's presence means you learn the ecology and history as you move through each place, rather than walking them alone.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What are the Lakes of Saliencia and how do I reach them?

The Lakes of Saliencia are two glacier-formed lakes (Lake Cave and Lake Black) in the Natural Park of Somiedo, surrounded by Cantabrian peaks. You start from the Alto de la Farrapona and walk to natural viewpoints overlooking both lakes, with time to explore the alpine surroundings.

Can I eat in Pola de Somiedo, and how much free time do I have there?

Yes. After a short guided orientation of the village, you have free time to explore Pola de Somiedo at your own pace and eat at local restaurants serving traditional Asturian cuisine and cider.

What is the Bear Path and what will I see there?

The Bear Path is a walk in the council of Proaza where your guide explains the history and recovery of the Cantabrian brown bear, then takes you to the osero fence to observe several bears living in semi-freedom.

How physically demanding is this tour?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of fitness. You walk the Lakes of Saliencia viewpoints at altitude and the Bear Path on foot, with transfers by air-conditioned vehicle between the three main sites.

Which departure city should I choose, Oviedo or Gijón?

Both Oviedo and Gijón are starting points. Pick the one closer to where you're staying. The itinerary and inclusions are the same from either city.