Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias Natural Park
Habitat for brown bears and capercaillies
Even bearing in mind the great scenic beauty of this park, its most outstanding feature is the presence among its fauna of unique and almost mythical species, such as the brown bear, the capercaillie and the wolf.
The park is structured by the upper basins of the Ibias and Narcea rivers, framed by a succession of sparsely populated mountain ranges such as those of Degaña, Caniellas, Rañadoiru or Xenestosu. In its interior are the Muniellos and Cueto de Arbás reserves; the former is the largest oak forest in Spain and one of the best preserved on the European continent, with very restricted access; and the latter is one of the best examples of a glacial model in western Asturias.The park's abundant deciduous forests are home to one of the most complete faunal communities in the country. Apart from bears and capercaillies, there are mammals such as the wolf, the Iberian desman, the grey dormouse, the roe deer, the wild boar, the wild cat, the marten, and among the birds, the grey partridge and the goshawk.
Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias Natural Park
Asturias (Principality of Asturias)
What you need to know
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Cultural information
Nearby villages boast a rich monumental heritage. In Cangas de Narcea, for example, its parish church, the Palace of Omaña and that of the Queipo de Llano family stand out. In San Antolín de Ibias there is an interpretation centre dedicated to the palloza, a traditional dwelling in the area, which is open during holiday periods.
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Environmental information
It is formed by the upper basins of the Narcea and Ibias rivers. Its predominant vegetation is beech, which in some areas is replaced by birch and oak. Its great biological wealth derives from being an outstanding habitat for brown bears and capercaillies.
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Information for visits
The park has several information centres. The Casa del Parque is located in the small village of Courias, very close to Cangas del Narcea and 20 km north of the boundary of the protected area, which can be reached by the road AS-15 in Vega de Rengos. But there is also an interpretation centre in the southern part of the area, Casa Florencio, a 19th century mansion located in Zarréu, in the municipality of Degaña.And the Integral Reserve of the Muniellos forest has two information areas, both in the vicinity of the village of Moal, near Vega de Rengos. There is a visitor centre (drive up to Connio pass, AS-348 road, 3 km from Moal); and the visitor reception centre, located 4 km from Moal along the path on foot that goes along Tablizas river, at the start of the route through the forest. Please note that the visit to Muniellos is restricted to 20 people each day, . You must request a permit from the Principality of Asturias before your visit.
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