Updated: March 11, 2026
Things to do after the Bear Trail
The bike ride is the main draw, but the valleys surrounding the trail have serious heritage, nature and hidden corners that justify staying an extra day. Four municipalities —Teverga, Quiros, Proaza and Santo Adriano— pack a dozen worthwhile visits, from cave art to a medieval village that had no electricity until 1980.
Teverga
The westernmost municipality in the valley, combining prehistory, caving and beech forest hiking. Full profile on Pueblos Espanoles.
Parque de la Prehistoria
MuseumFull-scale cave art reproductions, an outdoor area with bison and a hands-on zone for children. Two hours well spent, no early start required.
Adults ~6 EUR. Seasonal hours — check before going.
Cueva Huerta
NatureA 19.8 km cave system with a 50-minute guided tour. Genuinely impressive inside, but slots are limited so booking ahead is essential.
5 EUR. Reservation required: DeporVentura, +34 666 557 630.
Colegiata de San Pedro
HeritageAn 11th-century church that still holds mummies inside. Small, intense and almost unknown outside Asturias.
By appointment only, 2 EUR.
Xiblu Waterfall + Montegrande Beech Forest
NatureAn 8.4 km easy hike through one of the best-preserved forest masses in Asturias to a 100-metre waterfall. Good option to stretch your legs after cycling.
Free. Best in autumn or spring when water flow peaks.
Quiros
Vertical landscapes and megalithic heritage. The Quiros valley sees fewer visitors than Teverga but holds some of the most striking scenery in the area. Full guide on Pueblos Espanoles.
Bermiego & the Millennial Yew Tree
HeritageA village with 32 traditional granaries (horreos) and a yew tree over 1,000 years old, declared a Natural Monument. Extremely photogenic.
Free access. Bring a camera.
Desfiladero de las Xanas
NatureOften called the mini Cares: an 8 km gorge walk carved into rock, 80 metres above the river. No technical skill needed, but the exposure impresses.
Free. Wear shoes with good grip.
Ethnographic Museum of Quirós
MuseumIn Bárzana. A compact exhibition about traditional valley life: tools, trades and rural architecture.
Open Wed-Sun in summer, weekends in spring/autumn.
La Cobertoria Necropolis
HeritageMegalithic dolmens from the 4th-2nd millennium BC at 1,200 metres altitude. Open landscape with long views across the mountains.
Free access. Mountain track required.
Proaza
The most accessible municipality from the trail: Molina the brown bear, a free museum and one of the best-preserved medieval villages in Asturias. More details on Pueblos Espanoles.
Bear Enclosure (Molina)
NatureA free enclosure home to Molina, the only Cantabrian brown bear in captivity. Feeding times vary by season. The bear hibernates from November to March.
Free. Check feeding times before visiting.
Casa del Oso (Bear Museum)
MuseumA free museum in Proaza village about the Cantabrian brown bear. Guided tours available in summer.
Free entry.
Banduxu (Bandujo)
HeritageA medieval village declared a Cultural Interest Asset in 2010, frozen in time. 13th-14th century circular tower, 10th-century church. It had no electricity until 1980.
Free access. Narrow road — be patient.
Medieval Tower of Proaza
HeritageA defensive tower declared a Cultural Interest Asset since 1965. Visible from the village.
Exterior only.
Santo Adriano
The smallest municipality in Asturias, but home to a pre-Romanesque gem that justifies the stop. Full profile on Pueblos Espanoles.
Church of Santo Adriano de Tuñón
HeritageA pre-Romanesque church from 891 AD, founded by King Alfonso III. It holds among the oldest documented Mozarabic murals on the Iberian Peninsula. National Monument since 1931.
Free during subsidised hours; otherwise 3-5 EUR. Prior booking recommended (Ecomuseo La Ponte).
Quick reference
| Place | Municipality | Type | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parque de la Prehistoria | Teverga | Museum | ~6 EUR | 2 h |
| Cueva Huerta | Teverga | Nature | 5 EUR | 1 h |
| Xiblu Waterfall | Teverga | Nature | Free | 3-4 h |
| Colegiata de San Pedro | Teverga | Heritage | 2 EUR | 30 min |
| Bermiego + Yew Tree | Quirós | Heritage | Free | 1 h |
| Desfiladero de las Xanas | Quirós | Nature | Free | 3 h |
| Ethnographic Museum | Quirós | Museum | Check | 1 h |
| La Cobertoria Necropolis | Quirós | Heritage | Free | 1-2 h |
| Bear Enclosure | Proaza | Nature | Free | 30-45 min |
| Bear Museum | Proaza | Museum | Free | 30 min |
| Banduxu | Proaza | Heritage | Free | 1-2 h |
| Church of Tuñón | Santo Adriano | Heritage | 0-5 EUR | 30 min |
Best picks by profile
Families
Parque de la Prehistoria + Bear Enclosure (Molina)
Guaranteed entertainment for kids without long walks.
Culture lovers
Banduxu + Church of Tuñón + Colegiata de San Pedro
Three heritage landmarks within a 20 km radius.
Nature seekers
Xiblu Waterfall + Xanas Gorge + Bermiego
Three distinct landscapes: beech forest, gorge and a village with a millennial yew tree.
FAQ
Can I combine cycling and a visit on the same day?
Yes, if you ride a shorter section in the morning. The Bear Enclosure and Casa del Oso are right next to the trail. For longer visits like Cueva Huerta or Banduxu, plan a separate day.
What to visit on a rainy day?
Parque de la Prehistoria has covered areas, Cueva Huerta is underground and the Ethnographic Museum in Quirós is fully indoors. All solid options when the weather turns.
Can you always see the bear Molina?
From April to October, yes — especially around feeding times (times vary by season). She hibernates from November to March and the enclosure closes.
Do you need to book to visit Banduxu?
No, access is free. But the road is narrow and parking can fill up in high season.
Is La Cobertoria Necropolis worth the climb?
If you enjoy archaeology and mountain scenery, yes. The dolmens are modest in size but the setting at 1,200 m makes the trip worthwhile.