Ponga
So, here we are again. I told you already I love Asturias! I called this trip Ponga.
Ponga is a town and municipality in the province and autonomous community of Asturias, northwestern Spain. Its capital is San Juan de Beleño. But, the most important thing is that Ponga has a natural park.
This trip was short one, and lasted 3 days. At the beginning of the may, to be exact from May, 3rd to May 5th, 2019. we were on a vacation.
As usual, we started our trip early in the morning. And around 11 o'clock AM we had our first stop. That stop was MUJA, or Museo del Jurásico de Asturias (The Jurassic Museum of Asturias).
There is nothing much to say about this Museum. Why? Well, because I haven't see it! They are NOT pet friendly.
It is located in the area of Rasa de San Telmo near the parish of LLasters in the municipality of Colunga, Asturias, Spain.
So, logically, I can't talk much about this museum because I haven't seen much. The only thing I have seen are few statues of dinosaurs placed outside the building, like the part of the exhibition... I think. And I couldn't see much of it, because statues were taken to be replaced or repaired.
As you can see, there is much "I don't knows" in my text...but only because I really didn't get to learn anything about this place.
The only good thing I can say that is related to this place is that from that day, I have a new friend. I named him Patosaurio.
But, do not worry my doggo friends! I found one cool place to visit nearby. It is so cool that even its name confirms it. I am talking about "The Dinosaur Coast".
The Dinosaur Coast, also known as "Los Yacimientos de Icnitas de Asturias"extends along 44,2 km of the coast of the councils of Gijón, Villaviciosa, Colunga and Ribadesella.
Now let me tell you some interesting details of how this place had formed itself during the years.
When the dinosaurs moved over the mud or sand in the area, they left imprints of their footsteps, also known as icnitas. The sedimentation conditions that originated them, such as alluvial, deltaic and marine environments are very favorable for the conservation of footprints and bones of dinosaurs and other reptiles of the time, such as plesiosaurs, pterosaurs, ichthyosaurs and crocodiles. When the icnitas formed, the ground was soft, and only later, after being deeply buried, would they become hard rock and would stay, almost intact, to this day.
There are three parts of this coast that you can visit. Those are Merón beach and The Cliffs of Oles (Villaviciosa), The Cliffs of Lasters and La griega beach (Colunga), that I visited, and the last one is Vega beach, The Cliffs of Tereñes and Santa Marina beach (Ribadasella).
The site of La Griega beach in Colunga is known mainly because it contains one of the largest dinosaur footprints in the world. Visits are highly recommended as it constitutes one of the best access routes of the Jurassic of Asturias. The itinerary runs along a path parallel to the beach.
In addition to these footprints, other footprints of theropods can be observed as they are arranged on the blocks near the one containing the main icnites of the site.
Pretty cool, isn't it? After a small walk by the comfortable path I came to a beach La Griega where I could see these amazing footprints.
Ok, I didn't see it at first, my humans needed to tell me that there is something interesting and that I need to slow down.
And now, for those who can't see a thing here, I ordered my human to make it easy for you. So just look the same photos below.
Do you see clear now? Different shape of the prints is because those are prints of the hands and feet of the same animal.
After sniffing history more than 150 millions years old, I decided to play a little and to go on with my adventure.
I was enjoying the spectacular views that I could see from the cliffs. But let's be real... the weather could be better for the better image of the place.
Should I mention that I was free like a wind? What a joy... all of the place for me... and some cows. But I don't mind. I am not selfish.
Definitely recommend this place for all of my doggo friends. It is easy, it is short, and pure nature to enjoy off the leash.
As I was walking, I saw a beach that I could go to play, but some strange thing distracted me. I saw a big holes with tunnels in the ground. I just thought: OMG! Or there is some cool doggo that did this, and humans finally saw its worth, or there is big mole in the hood that simply HAS to be found!
So, can you imagine my disappointment when I find out that it wan't any of the things I mentioned!
Basically this meaningless holes in the ground are trenches from the Civil War 1937. They are placed here as a part of costal defence.
We can move on now.
Finally I got to the beach called La Isla. I played there a bit, and then we hit the road. From this point on I walked with the leash on. That is because we are now in populated area with houses.
On our way we saw interesting church. I was not in the mood to pose, so here is just the photo of the church.
Parish Church of San Juan de Duz was built in the 1920s.. and that is all I know about it.
To finish this day, we went for another small route nearby. It is more or less 5 km long, and not difficult. Almost all the path is by the river Dobra.
The Dobra River is a short mountain river in northern Spain that is born in the northern part of the province of León in the Puerto de Dobres, and runs almost entirely through the central-eastern part of the Principality of Asturias. Near its mouth there is a pool of great beauty and tourist attraction called Olla de San Vicente ("San Vicente's pit"), and that is the end of the route.
It was a little tricky to park, because there were too much cars, and parking is small. Therefore, we parked a little bit down the road. It is not so far from the beginning of the route. To have more exact picture here is the map:
Only bad thing about parking here is that you have to be extra careful because you are literally walking by the road. Those few meters till the beginning of the route, we were walking behind the road guardrail.
Finally luck looked upon us that day. It was the only part of the day we actually could see and feel the Sun! So, we started good. Not far from here, we stumbled upon a lovely old bridge.
It looks like today is all about history. This old bridge over the Dobra River is located between the Asturian councils of Amieva and Cangas de Onís.
The Dobra Bridge or Vieyu bridge, of medieval origin, marks the beginning (or end) of another of the great medieval routes of Asturias, The Path of the Archdeacon, which from here crossing the entire Amieva mountain range has been for centuries communicating with the plateau throughout the eastern part of Asturias. This bridge has a single pointed arch with regular ashlars.
The ground is formed by remains of the Roman road existing in ancient times.
If you see what I saw at that moment, and that would be clear water, lovely day, Sun and pure nature, only one thing can come to your mind then. You want to guess?
Yep! That means it! Fun in water!
As you can see, we made a little break. Just enough to "sprinkle up" my lovely fur with this crystal clear water. And of course, enough for my human to take photos.
We continued up to the pretty crowded road, we stoped a couple more times so I can have fun. There is not much to say about this part, because it is easy. Only you have to take care of your steps, because rocks can be pretty tricky, especially if they are wet.
Finally we get to our target - Saint Vincent's pit. In front of us there was spectacular view of blue-green! Crystal clear water formed shape of natural pool, with a little waterfalls all around. Although the Sun abandoned us again, it was a real gift for the eyes. Can you imagine it with the bright colors of the Sun?
Pretty grey day, but we made it. I hope the next one will be better.
And it was like that. We started good. One perfect sunny day! And off we go to new adventures.
We visited Bosque de Peloño (Peloño's forest) and we climb Pienzu Peak. So let's start in order.
Peloño's forest, with an extension of about 15km², it is considered one of the best preserved beech trees in Spain today. Although the beech is the predominant species, we can also find good specimens of oaks or holly.
We parked a little bit further than the magnificent viewpoint called Mirador de La Collada and Pasarela en Les Bedules. To place yourself better, here is the map of the place we parked.
From there we walked for about 1,5 km to the Mirador de Les Bedules (La Collada). If you want more details, click here. The path is little bit uphill, but not too much complicated, and once you get there, you will be amazed.
Spectacular view from the viewpoint:
And from the other side where you can actually see Picos de Europa.
Heading toward Peloño's forest we could see images like this.
Wide and easy track to follow leads us through amazing playground where I could run like a free spirit. Talking about playgrounds, not so far from here there was this place called Collado Granceno, where I just had to stop and do my thing... play!
After wasting my energy off, we continued through the forest. On our way we found the sign of famous Roblón de Bustiello.
Roblón de Bustiello (Bustiello's Oak) is a spectacular and centennial Albar oak (Quercus petraea) that is declared a natural monument. It is around 30 m high and has 8 m in diameter. So, basically it is a big, big tree.
It is completely normal that I was hungry at that time. I mean all that running, sniffing, examining... I was exhausted. Lucky for me, place is too comfortable and easy, you can eat anywhere. After some more of km, we stoped to eat.
After that we decided to go back. We were 11 km far from car, and it was too hot for that time of year. So going back, and walking 22 km, we can call it a day.
On my way back, I had to make a few stops. I mean, how do you think pass by my playground and not play?
I even took my buddy to this hike, and so we played.
That would be all for the day 4th May. Next day, we started early. First we stopped by the viewpoint Fito or Fitu (Mirador del Fito o Fitu), from where we started our route.
We parked next to the Mirador del Fito itself, as you can see on the map.
The Mirador del Fito or Fitu, in Asturias, is one of the most impressive viewpoints in Spain. It is a spectacular cement structure, built in 1927, which rises above the ground and the cliffs giving us the most wonderful views.
The viewpoint Fito (Mirador del Fito) is a high platform with stairs, that rises about 1100 meters above sea level.
What makes it one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Spain is that a 360º view can be made.
From this place we can see the coast, the beaches, the cliffs, the Sueve Nature Reserve, the Natural Park of Ponga, the National Park of the Picos de Europa or towns as Ribadesella, Colunga or Villaviciosa. And on the days without mists or clouds, you can see Cangas de Onís and Covadonga.
This viewpoint has unique shape, and when you are way up there, it looks like you are flying, or at least levitating.
For me it was quite fun. Of course I had to go up there all by myself. So you may say I made a little show for my humans.
The Mirador del Fito is also a starting point for numerous hiking trails in the area such as one that leads you to the Pienzu peak of the Sierra del Sueve. It is a route of low difficulty and very well marked, so you can't get lost.
So, we started our route to Pico Pienzu.
Path seems to be so easy, wide and with spectacular views! I should just let photos speak for themselves.
There is a lot of places to play, just be careful. There are cows and horses with their calves and foals roaming free there, and it would not be nice at all if you go around scaring them.
First 5,5 km were more or less easy. I mean there was some parts where my human (the one with the camera) was practically dying...and we see that as a lack of photos, but from here on, I have to admit it was a bit steep. Not too much steep if you ask me, but my human was whining about it, also as being so cold. So yes, it is windy as heck! Is it enough to say my humans wore short sleeve (800 meters down), and here they needed double long sleeve. So prepare your humans if you are going to visit this peak.
You are almost there when you see some big cross made of metal thing.
There is also some detail on the cross. And if you are close enough to see it, you are there!
Finally, we are there! At 1161 masl, the Pienzu peak is the highlight of the Asturian costal mountain range.
I got my well deserved snack there, while my humans were doing their thing.
One thing I must admit: what a spectacular view from there you can see!!!
As you can guess, our way back was way to easier... and faster.
We even met some models posing for us.
This was the day of out way back to home. After doing this little adventure, we had enough time to eat here having this magnificent views, and to make two more stops.
First one of those stops was La Cuevona. Also known as Cuevona de Cuevas.
La Cuevona is a karst formation located in the parish of Junco in the Asturian council of Ribadesella.
Usually when we say tunnel, we refer to an artificially open underground passage. When the tunnel is on the same road, it is normal to find a perfectly standardised cylindrical cavity, through which the air is circulated at a convenient speed thanks to other devices.
But this "tunnel" that I am about to show you is far away from the everyday reality described in the text above.
This tunnel is very unusual, and only small parts are artificial, and the best part: you can see it from your car. I mean, I stepped out to see it from close, but it is really fun fact that you have to pass this tunnel if you wanna reach the village called Cuevas del Agua.
Enough words, more photos!
La Cuevona is more than 300 meters long, and it is is perfectly illuminated to help passage of passers-by to be safe and to highlight the geological formations.
It retains its original structure; of calcareous formation, it contains vaults, recesses, stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and casts, often adopting fantastic forms that have given rise to special denominations such as "the tongue of the devil" or "the beards of Santiago".
If you want to see more photos, feel free to stop by to my gallery.
After that we stopped by the Vidio cape. At that moment it sounded as good idea, but it was way too windy (that much that wind was moving me when I was still).
The Vidio cape is located on the Asturian coast in the municipality of Cudillero and close to the town of Riego de Abajo, in the parish of Oviñana. It is one of the most important capes in Asturias, from which you can see Estaca de Bares or Cabo de Peñas. I was there, remember?
Big yawn from me to all of you!
Aby
