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Gorge of the Xanas

Santo Adriano, Oviedo, Asturias

1 Villages · 1 Monuments · 1 Nature

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Gorge of the Xanas

Nature · Santo Adriano, Oviedo, Asturias

The Desfiladero de las Xanas, also called that of Caballada or de las Brujas in honour of the nymphs of Astur-Leonese mythology, extends between the concejos of Santo Adriano, Quirós and Proaza, carved by the Viescas stream on the western face of the sierra del Aramo until it flows into the river Trubia. It reaches 80-90 metres in depth over about two kilometres, which is why it is called the little Cares; it is crossed by a path of about nine kilometres cut into the rock halfway up the slope, with bridges and tunnels carved into the limestone. The surrounding woodland brings together hazels, ash, oak, beech and elm, and among its fauna the otter and the Pyrenean desman stand out. It was declared a natural monument of the Principality in April 2002, together with two hundred hectares around the stream.

Photo: Elfo del bosque (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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