Discover The Mining Valleys of Hotel Mieres del Camino in Mieres. Official Website.

Discover the Mining Valleys

The Mining Valleys extend across central Asturias and include parts of the municipalities of Mieres, Laviana, San Martín del Rey Aurelio, and Langreo. The municipality of Mieres occupies a significant part of this protected area, representing approximately 24% of its total surface. Here, the upper Turón River valley forms the heart of the Mining Valleys, a straight valley covering around 50 km², crossed by numerous streams and brooks that create picturesque landscapes.

However, the Mining Valleys are not limited to Mieres. They also extend through Laviana, San Martín del Rey Aurelio, and Langreo, encompassing the Samuño River Valley in Langreo, the Santa Bárbara Valley in San Martín del Rey Aurelio, and the Villoria and Raigoso river valleys in Laviana. This natural paradise can be accessed through both the Nalón Valley and the Caudal Valley.

Protected Natural Area of Exceptional Value

The Mining Valleys benefit from two levels of environmental protection: Protected Landscape of the Mining Valleys and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The Protected Landscape designation aims to preserve areas of outstanding scenic and cultural value, ensuring their long-term protection.

Hiking Routes to Explore

If you enjoy nature and outdoor walking, the Mining Valleys offer a wide variety of hiking trails to discover:

Urbiés Ridge Trail P.R. AS-34
Castañir Trail P.R. AS-188
San Xusto Trail P.R. AS-189
Hamlets and Turón Mountain Pastures Trail P.R. AS-35
Turón Greenway P.R. AS-100.1
Navaliego Mountain Range Trail P.R. AS-33

In addition, if you are a mountain biking (MTB) enthusiast, the municipality of Mieres also offers several cycling routes:

Central Mountain Cycling Ring GR-208
Navaliego Mountain Range MTB Route MI-5
San Xusto MTB Route MI-4
Rozamayor Ridge MTB Route MI-3
Mayáu Porrín MTB Route MI-2

The Geology of the Mining Valleys

From a geological perspective, the Mining Valleys form part of the Central Coal Basin, with a small section belonging to the Fold and Thrust Belt Region of the Cantabrian Zone. Most of the area is composed of siliceous materials, such as clay slates with alternating coal seams and thin layers of Upper Carboniferous limestone.

The Wildlife of the Mining Valleys

The Mining Valleys are home to a rich and diverse range of wildlife. Among the birds, you may spot forest species such as the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Northern Goshawk, European Honey Buzzard, and Black Woodpecker. In rocky areas, the Red-billed Chough, Peregrine Falcon, Egyptian Vulture, Golden Eagle, and Griffon Vulture can be found.

In the shrublands, bird species such as the Dartford Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, and Grey Partridge can be observed. In addition to birds, the Mining Valleys are home to amphibians such as the Golden-striped Salamander and Marbled Newt, as well as reptiles like the Iberian Rock Lizard and Green-black Lizard.

You will also find mammals such as the European Otter and the Iberian Desman. Deer, wild boar, foxes, red deer, chamois, and wolves can also be spotted throughout the region.

Discover Mieres from Hotel Mieres del Camino

If you are planning a visit to the Mining Valleys, we recommend staying at the Hotel Mieres del Camino. This comfortable and welcoming hotel provides the perfect base from which to explore the natural beauty of the region.