This cross-border reserve revolves around the Eo River, which forms a landscape of rolling mountains and narrow valleys that ultimately lead to the Eo River estuary and the Cantabrian coast. It encompasses 41 habitats of community interest, 11 of them priority habitats, with a notable presence of humid forests, peatlands, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems, featuring the powerful geology of the coastal plain in locations such as As Catedrais Beach (Galicia).
Its rich fauna includes emblematic species such as Atlantic salmon, lamprey, otter, and Iberian desman, and it is a strategic enclave for migratory and wintering waterfowl. The Eo estuary also regularly winters for unique species such as the osprey and, in recent years, the spoonbill. Although their numbers have declined in the last decade, this estuary was historically an important wintering site for ducks such as the Eurasian wigeon and the northern pintail. As for the flora, relic species from the Tertiary period and Atlantic endemic species stand out, further enriching this valuable ecosystem.
The ethnographic and cultural heritage is also remarkable: pallozas, hórreos, cortines, dolmens, and fortified settlements bear witness to an ancient way of life. Interpreted trails, birdwatching, and landscape photography allow you to explore this area with a leisurely gaze, at any time of year. A space where nature and tradition continue to beat strongly on both sides of the river.
The Reserve can be visited at any time of year, as its diverse landscape and natural landscape offer visitors different attractions in each season. Spring and summer are ideal for exploring the inland countryside, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the villages, and discovering the mosaic of meadows and traditional crops.
Autumn transforms the riverbanks and riparian forests into a spectacle of color, especially along the banks of the Eo and its tributaries, where the variety of deciduous species provides a vibrant color palette, perfect for hiking and photography.
Winter, on the other hand, invites visitors to the coast: stormy days allow visitors to contemplate the wildness of the Cantabrian Sea, and it's the best time to observe wintering birds in the Eo estuary and the coastal plain, where you can spot waders, ducks, herons, and even Siberian and northern birds that find seasonal refuge here. It's also a perfect time to take a leisurely visit to As Catedrais Beach (Galicia) and watch from the cliffs the migratory passage of gannets and gulls, which cross close to the coast on their way south.
The Reserve's vast territory offers multiple opportunities for active and respectful enjoyment of nature. Birdwatching is one of the star activities, especially in the Eo estuary, where it is possible to spot a wide variety of aquatic species during migration or wintering. Landscape photography finds ideal settings both on the coast and in the inland river valleys and mountains. Interpreted trails along the course of the Eo River allow visitors to discover the area's natural and ethnographic richness, including traditional architecture and archaeological remains such as burial mounds and hill forts. Hiking is an excellent way to explore these landscapes, with routes that connect natural and cultural heritage. It is also possible to participate in guided ecotourism and cultural tours that allow for a more in-depth experience of the environment.
La Río Eo, Oscos and Terras de Burón Biosphere Reserve It offers a mosaic of locations of great scenic, ecological, and cultural interest. On the coast, the iconic As Catedrais Beach (Galicia) stands out, where the rock arches that emerge at low tide resemble the flying buttresses of a Gothic cathedral (hence its name), and the Penarronda Beach (Asturias), of great natural beauty.
The final stretch of the Eo River, in its estuary, allows for the observation of aquatic birds from several birdwatching observatories located along the Galician shore, and from privileged locations such as La Linera Cove, at the foot of Castropol (Asturias), at low tide. The area also offers spectacular views from points such as Ribadeo or the nearby Isla Pancha in Galicia, crowned by its lighthouse.
Further inland, the source of the Eo River in Fonteo or the recreational area of A Cortevella, in Galicia, allow you to enjoy serene riverside retreats. The Eo Greenway, which begins between the ancient chimneys of A Pontenova (Galicia), invites you to explore the surroundings on foot or by bicycle. In Oscos (Asturias), slate villages are integrated into a hilly landscape of green countryside, dotted with streams and groves that, in some cases, cascade into spectacular waterfalls such as the A Seimeira waterfall in Santa Eulalia de Oscos. Also in Asturias, Taramundi, with its heritage linked to water and crafts, stands out for sites such as the Mazonovo Ethnographic Complex, fully restored and rehabilitated to understand the iron industry, and the views from As Veigas, which perfectly encapsulate the ethnographic and natural character of this area.
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The Green Spain Ecotourism Reserve is an invitation to experience northern Spain in a different way. It's not a network of accommodations.
