Riparian forest and extensive livestock farming. Villaviciosa Estuary

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Riparian forest and extensive livestock farming. Villaviciosa Estuary

Villaviciosa Estuary Partial Nature Reserve

With this 3-day/2-night experience, which we are launching from La Quintana de la Foncalada – Ecomuséu Ca l'Asturcón (a conservation center for endangered native varieties), you will become familiar with small-scale family farming, endangered native breeds, the role of extensive livestock farming in landscape management, and the production of healthy food.

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Description

La Quintana de la Foncalada has several organic farms on the coastal plain of Les Mariñes de Villaviciosa, with approximately 25% of the forest cover being native species in riparian ecosystems around the Merón River: laurels, alders, oaks, chestnuts, maples, ashes, beeches, birches, holly, etc., which coexist with pastures and traditional orchards (cider apple) for our extensive livestock farming.

We will explore the trees, shrubs, and plants, as well as the reforestation efforts carried out on the farms over the past 25 years to enhance the forest cover associated with these ecosystems. We will also explore the collaboration with the neighborhood association to enhance the Los Molinos del Río Merón hiking trail, PR-AS-137, which runs through the riparian forest of our agricultural and livestock farm.

The experience in detail

Activities

Visit to the Ca l'Asturcón Ecomuseum, a conservation center for endangered native varieties.
Visit a riparian forest farm with pastureland for extensive and organic livestock farming

Programme

Day 1

Arrival at La Quintana de la Foncalada – Ca l'Asturcón Ecomuseum in Argüeru (Villaviciosa), near the Ría de Villaviciosa National Park, where you will be welcomed with a small, homemade, local and organic snack that will comfort you and help you ground yourself.

Day 2

At the rural accommodation's own farm, we will learn in the morning about the characteristics of endangered native varieties: the Asturcón, the Bermeya goat, the Xalda sheep, the Asturcelta gochu, and the painted pita. We will also learn about their role on family farms in landscape management, resource utilization, and agri-food production. We will visit our riparian forest areas associated with pasture farms and cider apple production, as well as reforestation efforts and collaboration with ecotourism (the Merón River Mills Hiking Route, PR-AS-137, as it passes through our farm's riparian forest). Free afternoon. Option to walk the mills route to Merón Beach from our farm at the end of the visit. Dinner will include a tasting of products from our eco-farm.

Day 3

Departure from your accommodation after breakfast. If you'd like to explore the surrounding area, we can provide information and recommendations on short themed routes or points of interest to explore the natural landscape of the Villaviciosa Estuary and the coastal landscape of the Jurassic Coast.

Included services

Accommodation :

Village House 3 Trisqueles (room with bathroom)
2 nights in an ecological rural house on a B/D basis
Kitchen available

Welcome snack. Tasting dinner on the 2rd night.

Ecotourism Commitment

The Quintana de la Foncalada – Ca l'Asturcón Ecomuseum is a conservation center for endangered native varieties: Asturcón, Xalda sheep, red goat, Asturcelta pig, and painted pita.

Organic farm (COPAE) and extensive livestock farming participating in the conservation of the area's traditional landscape.

Members of the Asturcón Breeders Association (ACPRA) and the Xalda Sheep Breeders Association (ACOXA).
5% of the trip's value will be used for projects supported by the Ecoagrotourism Foundation.

Sustainable tourism

The Quintana de la Foncalada – Ca l'Asturcón Ecomuseum is certified by Ceres Ecotur/Ecolabel Eceat International and has the “Accueil Paysan” label for the defense of peasant agriculture compatible with natural resources.