Parque Natural de Somiedo

Somiedo Natural Park spreads across the central area of the Cantabrian Mountains, in Asturias, with more than 29,000 hectares. It covers the whole municipality of Somiedo and part of Belmonte de Miranda and Teverga. It has been a natural park since 1988 (created on 10 June of that year) and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2000.

Glacial action left lakes, ponds and peat bogs, the Lago del Valle being the most notable. Forests cover almost a quarter of the park, with beech, oak and Pyrenean oak woods, and pastures about a fifth; the Somiedo knapweed is endemic to Asturias and northern León.

The brown bear lives here, and there are about 120 bird species, such as the Cantabrian capercaillie and the golden eagle. The teitos, thatched huts typical of the brañas (summer pastures), date back to medieval times, although their condition is critical. The interpretation centre is in Pola de Somiedo and the trails include the Valle del Lago route.

Source of the information: Parque natural de Somiedo (Wikipedia)