The Senda del Oso Greenway runs through the Valles del Oso region, climbing alongside rivers through the heart of the Asturian mountains. Following the route of the old mining railway which used to link the mountains with the capital city of the region, we can now enjoy a “Y” shape trail which connects Tuñón (Santo Adriano) with the villages of Entrago (Teverga) and Santa Marina (Quirós).
 Km 0
Tuñón is the starting point of the Senda del Oso Greenway, setting off from a recreational area which features an enormous sculpture of a bear, reminding travellers of the animal which lends its name to this Greenway. This area is also the starting point of another line which links Tuñón with San Andrés and Trubia in the rural district of Oviedo from where other rural tracks lead to Fuso de la Reina. This trail is known as the Fuso de la Reina Greenway.
Our marvellous journey begins at the Tuñón recreational area, on a trail which is lined with lush vegetation. As we enter the town of Villanueva we can see the Xanas Gorge to our left, inviting us to make our first detour off the Greenway proper.
 Km 4
At kilometre 4 we pass though Villanueva, the capital town of the rural district of Santo Adriano. We cross its historic ‘Roman’ bridge dating from the middle ages and after crossing over a modern footbridge over the river Trubia, we head towards the recreational area at Buyera.
This area boasts a large car park, bike rental facilities, and plenty of picnic tables where we can get our energy back with an unhurried sandwich. The area also has a swimming pool where we can take a dip, weather permitting.
From this point on we can enjoy the scenic views provided by the Asturian mountains before reaching a green fence which borders a section of the trail. This fence encloses a large area of hillside, home to Paca and Tola, two bears orphaned at the hands of poachers, who occasionally approach the fence to greet travellers. This is without a doubt one of the most sought after attractions of the area, especially for kids at the bears’ feeding time. Adults may enjoy visiting the Mesón Paca y Tola bar.
 Km 6
After leaving the Paca y Tola enclosure behind, we leave the Santo Adriano rural district and arrive at the town of Proaza where visitors can view the hydroelectric plant, a magnificent example of industrial architecture.
Proaza is home to the Casa del Oso, the headquarters of the Fundación Oso de Asturias (Bear Foundation of Asturias), where visitors can see an exhibition depicting the life of these great plantigrade (flat-footed) animals. It is also possible to hire bikes here and get to know the Greenway by pedalling.
From Proaza we continue on our way to Caranga, passing through tunnels and sections hewn out of the rock. The cliffs of the Peñas Juntas escarpment rise up a few kilometres ahead of us.
Km 11
After pausing to take in the spectacular views of the Peñas Juntas Gorge we reach Caranga where the trail forks, with one spur leading to Entrago and the other to Santa Marina.
 Section towards ENTRAGO
Having exited the tunnel which goes through the Peñas Juntas Gorge, we encounter a section of the old AS-228 road and a small car park which some people use as their starting point along the Greenway.
At the fork in the Greenway we need to take the right hand spur which will take us to the village of Entrago.
Km 22
A short way from this fork we are surprised by a tranquil landscape of woods and meadows which takes us to the village of Caranga de Abajo.
Once the Greenway leaves Caranga behind it enters a section in which the trail clings to the side of a ravine or penetrates the rock in a series of tunnels, while the whitewater of the river Teverga flows below. After crossing a spectacular iron bridge we reach the Valdecerezales Gorge, one of the most stunning landscapes of this Greenway and probably of all Asturias, where the traveller can take in the sight of the magnificent limestone rock walls which flank our trail.
After passing through this gorge we reach the village of Entrago, the end of this section, which for more than 22 km of slightly uphill trail has allowed us to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in Asturias.
Section towards Santa Marina 
To go in the direction of Santa Marina we need to take the left fork. Once the Greenway has left Caranga de Abajo behind it heads off to Caranga de Arriba.
Once we have passed through Caranga de Arriba, the rocky hillsides which flank the Trubia valley gradually close in and become more vertical, until the valley becomes the Valdemurio Gorge, where there is only room for the river Trubia. Here our trail enters an illuminated tunnel, on the other side of which we find ourselves facing a steep incline some 400 m long, which takes us to the Valdemurio reservoir.
Km 15 
Two tracks pass either side of the elongated reservoir before meeting up at the other end. To our left we find the Valdemurio active tourism area, where canoes can be hired. And to our right a long, low footbridge allows us to pass barely above the calm and cold waters of the reservoir. Once again alongside the banks of the reservoir, the Greenway continues its pleasant waterside route, offering magnificent views of the villages of Tene, Aciera and Bermiego.
Km 23
At around Km 22 this spur arrives at the village of Bárzana and from there the trail passes through a tunnel before arriving at the rest area at El Cribu, in the village of Santa Marina. |
