This reserve spans a rugged landscape, with steep slopes and well-preserved ecosystems, home to extensive native forests and emblematic species such as the brown bear. The geological and altitudinal diversity of the territory has fostered the existence of habitats of high ecological value, and it preserves impressive traces of the glacial past, visible in cirques and erosional forms shaped by the glaciers that covered these mountains until about 12.000 years ago.
Along with its natural wealth, its exceptional cultural heritage stands out. The pallozas, traditional dwellings of ancient origin, represent the most emblematic architecture of the area. Many of them, oval in shape, are covered with rye thatched roofs placed on solid structures of large oak beams. When freshly laid, the thatch takes on a golden hue that shines in the sun, as if dipped in gold. Piornedo, with its collection of perfectly preserved pallozas, is one of the main examples of this legacy. Furthermore, fortified hill forts, medieval castles, and a vibrant rural culture make this area an example of the balance between nature and tradition.
More than 30 trails allow you to explore this reserve, which also boasts a rich local production based on artisanal and sustainable practices, such as the production of cheeses, honey, chestnuts, and sausages with designation of origin.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Os Ancares, as the spring thaw reactivates the waterways and fills the flower-filled landscapes with color, while summer makes it easier to reach the higher elevations. Autumn, meanwhile, offers a spectacle of color in the deciduous forests and is ideal for photography and wildlife watching.
The Ancares Lucenses region invites you to explore its rich natural beauty and remarkable ethnographic heritage through a dense network of more than 30 marked hiking trails. Walking through forests, meadows, and ancient paths, you can reach charming villages, many of which still retain pallozas, those unique traditional buildings that still stand as a testament to an ancient way of life. Among them, the Piornedo complex stands out, due to its number and degree of preservation. Landscape observation, botany, and nature photography find a privileged environment here.
Furthermore, this area stands out for its close connection with traditional agricultural and livestock practices: the artisanal production of cheese, honey, cured meats, and berries is part of the daily life of many local communities, and can be discovered at markets, visits to producers, or tastings. Activities such as astrotourism are also promoted as a Starlight Tourist Destination, as are guided environmental interpretation tours organized by specialized companies that provide a respectful and enriching immersion in this valuable mountain territory.
La Os Ancares Lucenses e Montes de Cervantes, Navia and Becerreá Biosphere Reserve offers a network of enclaves that combine spectacular landscapes, natural values and cultural heritage. One of the most emblematic is the village of Piornedo, which preserves an exceptional collection of pallozasTraditional rye-roofed houses that epitomize the ancestral way of life in the Galician mountains. The surroundings of this village, especially the road that ascends toward the Ancares Pass, pass through dense deciduous forests and offer unique panoramic views of the landscape as it transitions toward the Leonese slopes. Some of the best views of the mountain range are obtained from the viewpoints near the pass.
In the Becerreá area, there are sites of special botanical value, such as the Os Grobos forest, an example of a well-preserved native forest growing on unusual rock formations, and the Cruzul humid holm oak forest, an ecological rarity that contributes to the area's biodiversity. These sites provide an insight into the Reserve's landscape and ecological diversity, while inviting visitors to explore its many layers of history, culture, and living nature.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, eiusmod tempor.
The Green Spain Ecotourism Reserve is an invitation to experience northern Spain in a different way. It's not a network of accommodations.
