Muniellos, just around the corner
Spain’s largest oak forest, with only 20 visitors a day. From our apartments you get there without an early start or long drives.
A forest you visit with a permit
The Muniellos Integral Nature Reserve is considered the largest oak forest in Spain and one of the most important in Europe. It is part of the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Park, and is home to brown bears, wolves, roe deer and even capercaillies.
Inside there are no roads, bars or toilets: only trails, streams and glacial lakes. That is why access is limited and you need a permit.
The permit, step by step
What you need to know
- 20 people a day. Places are allocated in order of application.
- Free. Applying costs nothing.
- When to apply: from 15 December of the previous year.
- One permit per person per year. If you don’t go and don’t cancel, you can’t book again until the following year.
- Entry and exit only at Las Tablizas, at the Visitor Reception Centre.
- No dogs or other pets.
- Closed on 1 and 6 January, 24, 25 and 31 December, and on Tuesdays in January, February, March, November and December.
- Apply for the permit through the Principality of Asturias online application. You will receive a pre-authorisation.
- Confirm it between 23 and 15 days before your visit. If you don’t confirm within that window, it is cancelled.
- Book your apartment for those dates and arrive with time to spare.
- On the day bring the permit (printed or as a PDF on your phone) and your ID. There is no need to arrive before 10:00.
Three official routes
All of them start and finish at the Las Tablizas Reception Centre. Mobile coverage there is poor, so download the map to your phone beforehand.
Accessible path
- 1.2 km there and back
- Wooden boardwalk
It follows the Candanosa stream. Designed for people with reduced mobility and small children; after 600 metres you are already deep in the oak wood.
River route
- There and back
- Optional lakes
It starts along the boardwalk and heads into oaks, yews and hazels. From km 4 the ground is loose stone. At Las Tres Cruces you can climb 1.5 km to the glacial lakes.
Long route
- Loop · 20 km
- Rope-assisted sections
It climbs through the La Degollada valley and a beech wood to Las Tres Cruces and returns along the river route. It is closed when there is snow, which is common from December to April.
When you finish any route, let the ranger know you are back.
A different forest every season
Autumn
The oaks change colour. It is the most beautiful time of year, and also the most in demand.
Spring
Green woods and full streams. With rain, the routes become harder.
Summer
More daylight for the river route or the long one.
Winter
Snow on the high ground and the long route closed. When there is snow, the Leitariegos ski resort is about 40 minutes away.
See Leitariegos →
A plan B as good as plan A
Next to the reserve there is a twin forest with the same species. The Moal forest and Montecín viewpoint route (PR-AS 132) starts a few metres from the Muniellos entrance and needs no permit.
2 km from Moal, in Oubachu, the Muniellos Interpretation Centre has exhibitions, information and a café, and next to it the Candanosa viewpoint has the best views of the valley.
Before you go
Can I go in without a permit?
No. You cannot enter the reserve without a permit. Without one you can walk the Moal route and visit the Interpretation Centre.
Can I bring children?
Yes. The accessible path is ideal for small children and pushchairs. The river route suits children used to walking several hours in the mountains, and the long route is not recommended.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. Applying for the permit is free.
What if there are no places on my date?
Try another day. Places from cancelled bookings become free again, so it is worth checking availability again later.
What should I bring?
Hiking boots, water, food and warm clothes. There are no toilets inside: the last one is at the Reception Centre. Take your rubbish back with you.
Where can I eat?
There are no restaurants in the reserve. Our restaurant and bar-shop is in Posada de Rengos, with home cooking.
Information from the official Turismo Asturias guide. Rules may change: check them before planning your visit.
Sleep at the gates of Muniellos
Tell us the date of your permit and we’ll keep the apartment for you.