Portal de Turismo de Castilla y León

Welcome to the "La Fonseya" Visitors’ Centre. Just like the rest of the park information centres, all throughout the region of Castilla and León, this is the recommended access point for these nature areas. At this centre, monitors will provide information about the National Park and help you to plan your visit.

Here, you can find information about the signature species and habitats in the "Picos de Europa" National Park, to help you identify and appreciate the cultural and natural heritage in a respectful way. It promotes the conservation and appreciation of biodiversity and cultural heritage.

The "La Fonseya" Visitors’ Centre is in a large stone building, located in the Oseja de Sajambre municipality. It is surrounded by the mountain landscape. This rural community stands out due to its traditional stone architecture, beautiful streets and its economy based on livestock and agriculture.

The Picos de Europa National Park is located in the Cantabrian mountains, across the provinces of Asturias, León and Cantabria. It is one of the main reserves in the world with ecosystems linked to the Atlantic forest and includes the most extensive limestone formation in Atlantic Europe.

With an area of 67,455 hectares, the Picos de Europa National Park was named as a UNESCO nature reserve in 2003. Interestingly, it was the first protected area in Spain, being named the Covadonga Mountain National Park in 1918, turning it into the first implementation of the National Parks law in Spain, with Don Pedro Pidal, marquis of Villaviciosa, being one of the main drivers. In 1995, with the new reclassification, it was renamed the Picos de Europa National Park.

Go inside the building. To the left you will find the reception desk. Here you can talk to employees if you have any questions.

To the right of the entrance, you will see four displays with interactive screens where you can see more information about the heritage and trails in the Sajambre valley.

Continue to the end of the corridor. To the left, you will see a small corridor which leads to the toilets. On the left wall of this corridor, there is a map of the trails in the National Park. On the right wall there is an audiovisual display on the National Parks network.

To the right are the stairs and right in front, the lift.

Go around the stairs. At the end of the wall to your left, you will find a number of informative panels about all the national parks in Spain and some of the Nature Areas in Castilla and León.

Lastly, you will find a large, square panel with a map of the Sajambre valley and its main points of interest.

Go back to the start of the stairs and go up to the second floor.

Turn to the right and go over to the first panel.

As previously mentioned, the Picos de Europa National Park, previously known as the Covadonga Mountain National Park, was Spain’s first National Park.

Therefore, it is important to mention Pedro Pidal, Marquis of Astorga, who is known as the forefather of the first law on national parks in 1916.

Move to the left, along the wall.

The Picos de Europa National Park has a geological history spanning millions of years. Formed around 300 million years ago, during the Paleozoic age due to the collision of tectonic plates, the area experienced erosive processes throughout the Mesozoic and Cenozoic ages, creating the current topography.

The glacial action during the Quaternary era formed U-shaped valleys and contributed to the formation of immense peaks and sharp summits, while the presence of limestone and karstic processes have created caves and unique subterranean systems, such as "Pozo de los Augustinos", located in the Sajambre valley.

To the left of this panel, you can see a display which contains a sample of stones and rocks belonging to each of the formations in the park. Among them, you can see different sandstones and limestones, black slate and conglomerate, among others.

The wide presence of herbaceous land in the Picos de Europa National Park reflects the old livestock traditions here. These traditions were moulded by efficient and sustainable shepherding, creating a harmony with the environment. The meadows and pastures represent very relevant plat formations in this mountain range.

The pastures are fundamental ecosystems which offer crucial support to livestock, providing natural food sources for herbivorous animals. They also have an essential role in the conservation of the ground, by preventing erosion. They also contribute to biodiversity by creating a habitat for a variety of species.

On the other side, you can see the hay meadows, areas which are specifically cultivated for the production of fodder, mainly hay, to feed livestock.

Turn your back to this wall. There is a central wall in front of you.

The screen to the left shows videos of some of the animals in the park, recorded on cameras distributed around the nature area.

These panels have images of species like the common reed bunting, otters, brown bears and Pyrenean chamois, among many others.

To your right, you will see a display with a topography model of the map of the entire National Park.

To the right of the display, there are curtains. These lead to a small room where an audiovisual presentation shows images of the fauna and landscapes in the park.

To start the presentation, press the button to the left just outside the curtains.

To the left of the display, there is a large screen on the wall. It shows a documentary about the evolution of "Picos de Europa" over the years.

The next panel is on the wall to the left.

The National Park has different caves of speleological and tourist interest. Among the most renowned is the Saplao Cave (Cantabira), known for its stalactites and stalagmites formations. It is open to visits from the public. In the Sajambre valley and its environment, there are some exceptional cavities such as LLagos, Cuetalbo, Llastral and Vega Huerta. We also cannot forget the Toneyu network, with 19km of passages and a depth of 614 metres, it is the largest cave in the Nature Park.

To the left there is a glass display which has a full-scale representation of the Pozo de los Angustinos configuration. It is one of the main karstic sinkholes in the area, located in Sajambre.

This vertical cave is made of three consecutive vertical channels which connect to a subterranean canyon. It has a system of passages that is 5.1km long, with a depth of 423 metres.

Turn towards the central wall. On the far left, there is a screen which shows a documentary about the geological process this region has gone through.

During the last glaciation, known as the Last Glacial Period, which happened between approximately 115,000 and 11,700 years ago, Picos de Europa experienced significant changes to its landscape.

Glaciers grew from the peaks down to the lowest valleys, sculpting deep U-shaped valleys and contributing to the formation of glacial lakes. The lateral moraines, sediment deposits left by the glaciers, are tangible evidence of this glacial action.

To the right there is a panel focussing on the karstic landscape in the area.

In the Picos de Europa National Park, karstic landscape can be seen in certain areas. Complex subterranean cave and cavity systems were formed by the dissolving of limestone.

On the surface, there are karstic formations such as limestone pavements and sharp peaks, as well as sinkholes and polje, depressions formed by the collapse of subterranean cavities.

Turn around to see the next sign on the wall behind you.

The Picos de Europa are characterised by their immense massifs, each one with its own geographical and landscape personality. The Western massif, also called "Cornión", stands out due to its area and elevation, with notable peaks such as "Peña Santa" with an elevation of 2,596 metres, which makes it the highest peak in this massif.

With peaks like Torrecerredo, the highest point in the Picos de Europa, at 2,648 metres, Pico Urriello, Naranjo de Bulnes, el Llambrión and el Torre de Santa María. The Eastern massif, known as "Andara", is the smallest and includes peaks such as "Morra de Lechugales", with a height of 2444 metres.

The Picos de Europa mountain range is renowned for climbing, offering diverse terrains from limestone walls to sharp, glacial peaks.

Keep going to the left.

The effect of the water has left a distinctive mark on the Picos de Europa range, moulding the landscape over millions of years. The rivers and streams twisting and turning around the region have sculpted deep valleys and canyons through river erosion. During the glaciations in the past, glaciers have significantly contributed to this moulding, forming U-shaped valleys, glacial cirques and moraines.

The predominant limestone in the area has also been moulded by dissolving, creating cave systems and karstic landscapes like sinkholes and limestone pavements. This dynamic interaction between water and geology has created a huge variety of characteristics in the Picos de Europa area.

The next panels show the geological variety in this region.

Three areas with different geological characteristics converge in the Sajambre valley, Picos de Europa, Pisuerga-Carrión and Ponga. In the first region, limestone are the predominant rocks, while in the second, it is mainly siliceous rocks. In the Ponga region, however, has both.

There is a panel dedicated to Gustavo Schulze on the wall to your left.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the German geologist and Alpinist, Gustavo Schulze, made three notable investigative geological expeditions in the North of Spain. The memory of his work is captured in his field notebooks, where he detailed his routes and represented the geology of the region in drawings.

Twenty years after the death of Doctor Schulze, two Spanish professors found these notebooks archived at a German university, beginning the process of revealing the magnitude of this scientist.

Go up to the last floor.

Once you’re on the top floor, go to the windows on the right wall.

You can see huge massifs that rise above the town out the window. The display has an image showing different peaks which can be seen from the viewpoint.

Turn left and go back down the corridor to the first panels on your right. The first section on this floor focuses on the remains in the park from the prehistoric period.

The Picos de Europa region has a rich prehistoric history going back to the Paleolithic period. It is demonstrated by archaeological findings that include stone tools, carved bones and cave paintings.

During the Neolithic and Bronze period, they practised agriculture and built megalithic structures, leaving evidence of their presence in mountainous areas, such as the Santa Cruz dolmen.

Go to the left to the next panel.

The Picos de Europa region mainly experienced Roman influence through the presence of transport links that connected strategic areas and facilitated trade. Although there wasn’t intense Roman occupation, the exploitation of natural resources like wood and minerals, as well as the presence of artefacts and metallurgical traces, suggest that there was interaction between local communities and the Roman world.

During the Middle Ages, the area was affected by the Reconquista, as it was a disputed territory between Christian and Muslim kings. Monasteries like Santo Toribio de Liébana played a significant role in the spiritual and economic development, while the proliferation of feudal systems and the construction of castles reflected the consolidation of power on a local level.

To the left of this panel, there is a copy of a tombstone dated to the 2nd century.

Turn around and stand in front of the central wall. This side of the wall has another panel focussing on the prehistoric period in the area.

To the right, there is a display which contains remains dated to centuries ago, such as a flint arrowhead and a bone graver. There is also a model of another tombstone from the 2nd century.

Opposite the display, there is the next panel.

The old transport links in the Picos de Europa area date back to ancient periods and have evolved over the centuries. Since prehistoric times, local communities have created shepherding paths in the surrounding areas to aid in moving livestock.

During Roman times, due to the increased needs for transport links, these paths and lanes were paved to aid their traffic, as is the case for the "vía Saliámica", or Sajambre.

This road had a considerable influx of travellers in the Middle Ages, with shelters and inns under royal protection located at the foot of the mountain passes. From the year 1500, it was named the "Camino Real". It was in use until the 19th century, when the N-625 motorway was built.

Beside this panel there is a screen showing a documentary about an old transport link in the area: "The Arcediano path".

Turn 180 degrees. In front of you, there is a panel with a map of the region. The text indicated the function of each of these areas that it is divided into, allowing you to identify the linden growing areas, cherry growing areas and the different meadows and pastures.

To the right of this panel, there is a display with a model of the Sajambre valley.

Turn around again to face the wall behind you.

This architecture in the Sajambre region stands out due to its adaptation to the mountainous topography and its integration with the natural environment. The buildings were made of local materials like stone, wood and brick, reflecting the abundance of these resources in the region.

The buildings, frequently made of stone, with tile roofs, were distributed vertically on the slopes to adjust to the terrain. The houses usually had a wooden corridor along the length of the main house. The lower floor had the stable, where livestock were kept, cows, pigs, goats and sheep. The natural heat these animals produce rises to the second floor, keeping the house warm. The main room was the kitchen, separated from the rest by wooden walls.

Another characteristic of the buildings in the area are raised granaries, designed for the storage and drying of food, mainly cereals and agricultural products. They were raised on pillars to protect the food from moisture and rodents, and they had a wooden structure with intertwined boards which helped with air circulation. With a gable or hipped roof, raised granaries were located near houses and stables.

To there left, there is a panel with numerous old photos of the residents of the area. This panel is dedicated to the traditional trades they worked with in the region.

Historically, the Sajambre region has supported itself with economic activities routed in its mountainous environment. Livestock, raising sheep and goats, was the central pillar, using shepherding routes in the mountains.

Despite topographical limitations, they also used agriculture on terraces, with crops like cereals and potatoes. The exploitation of the forest, crafting utensils and fishing were also important roles.

Behind you, there is a display. It has a model of the remodelled school in Soto de Sajambre, currently a museum-school.

It was ordered to be built by Don Félix de Martino which he paid for with his fortune to improve the lives of his neighbours.

To the left of the model, there are certain old objects on display which were found in the building when they started the restoration, like polyhedron figures, a small, rectangular board, a quill with a container of ink and some books and notebooks.

The panel to the right of the display focuses on explaining the construction of the Beyo road.

The road which follows the ravine of the Sella river was built in the second half of the 19th century, replacing a narrow trail known in old documents as the "Camino del Beyo". Beyond its function as a transport link, the Beyo road also allowed the exploration of this part of the Picos de Europa. The project was presented by the leading highway engineer in the Asturias and León district, and was approved in 1852.

The road was finished in 1910. This work of engineering was possible thanks to technological innovations which allowed for the perforation of the steep, rocky slopes, using tools like air drills and pneumatic hammers.

With the central wall to your left, go to the back wall.

Livestock substantially influences the configuration of the landscapes through different actions. Selective grazing and movement of livestock can impact the composition and structure of vegetation, shaping the biodiversity and appearance of the environment.

Livestock can also contribute to changes in the use of the ground, create paths and lanes, and lead to the building of livestock infrastructure. All of this can change the topography and visual aspect of the landscapes.

The next panel to the left has information on the main things that residents use wood and other resources from the forests for.

The forests in the Sajambre region have tree species adapted to the mountainous conditions, such as beech, sessile oak and birch.

The wood taken from these trees is mainly used as firewood.

On the other hand, it is a key material for construction of buildings or farming tools and furniture due to its versatility, resistance and acoustic and thermal insulation properties. In the Sajambre region, they have used wood from the forest as far back as can be remembered to make tools like shovels, ploughs and stakes.

Go around the central wall, to the right.

The distribution of the forests changes considerably with altitude. In the lower areas, there are riverside forests, rich in biodiversity. These forests mainly have birch, willow and ash. As you get higher, forests are mixed, with oak, maples, Persian walnut, cherry trees and beech. At higher altitudes, there are alpine forests, with extreme climate conditions and where shrubs and low trees are predominant.

On the far left of the central wall, there is a display with reproductions of different fruits and seeds from the plant species in the area.

To the right you will see the main tree species that grow in this region.

Cantabrian trees stand out due to the predominance of leafy trees and the diversity of tree and shrub species. Over time, these forests have experienced different types of exploitation, which has resulted in varied structures, densities, ages and compositions.

Currently, beech is the dominant species in the Sajambre forest, forming almost mono-specific masses due to the dense shade they provide, which makes it difficult for other species to regrow. In the oak groves, where more light gets through, there are more diverse species, such as maple, elms and linden, with the ability to disperse due to their winged seeds, propagated by the wind.

Ash trees, willows and black poplars prefer areas with high humidity, such as riverbeds and riversides.

There is a panel behind you which focuses on the longest-living trees in the park and their scientific importance.

Studying the age of trees, known as dendrochronology, has different applications which are crucial for the understanding and management of ecosystems. This area of study is a unique window into the environmental history to analyse the growth rings and reconstruct climatic patterns and extreme events in the past. This historic information contributes to the investigation of climatology, ecology and archaeology, and serves as an indicator of current climate change.

The park has trees that are more than 500 years old.

To the far right of the central wall, there is a display with a cut of a tree trunk. In this cut the rings indicate the growth in relation to some important events, like the writing of the constitution in 1978.

Keep going to the left. The central wall to your left has a display with reproductions of trees and some animals that live in these forests, such as woodpeckers and birds of prey like scops owls and true owls.

There are also reproductions of some mushrooms and fungi, like the famous fly agaric.

The fly agaric is a mushroom characterised by their large, round cap, which can be a variety of bright colours, like red, orange or yellow. They are covered in white scale and have white under the cap and a white stem. Despite their striking appearance, the fly agaric is potentially toxic and can contain psychoactive substance, meaning it is not suitable for human consumption.

Behind you there is a panel which explains how the forests have changed throughout the years.

The study of lake sediments in lake Enol and the analysis of pollen in regional peatland has provided details about the climatic fluctuations after the last glaciation and its effects on the vegetation in the last 13,500 years.

Currently, the most represented and extensive forest in this National Park are beech forests.

Go left until you get to the stairs. On the right-hand wall, there is a game called "20 questions and answers on the transformation of the landscape".

There are spinning boxes with a question on the outside, and the answer on the inside.

Continue down the corridor to the left. Here you will see maps of the area, as well as information about the ROOTS project.

This project focusses on the recuperation of old place names in the Sajambre valley. The maps on the left have all of these names, so they aren’t forgotten.

On the back wall, there is a screen which shows a documentary about the project.

Take the lift or the stairs back down to reception.

There is an audiovisual room in the basement. A 10 minute report is shown there about the Picos de Europa National Park.

This audio track ends your visit to the "La Fonseya" Centre, where you have learned a little more about the landscapes, flora and fauna in the region, as well as how the area’s residents live.

If you wish to receive more information, go to the reception desk or consult any of the visitors’ centres employees.

Thanks for your visit.