Wild Asturias - Realm of the Bear

Tour Code: ESP10

An 8-day holiday to the little-known western end of Spain's Cordillera Cantábrica, home to Bears, Wolves and a rich flora and birdlife. We will enjoy this wildlife on mountain walks through the spectacular Somiedo Natural Park.

8 days from
£1,795 (Inc flights)

Land only price from
£1,595

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Highlights

Summary

Wild, spectacular and little-visited, the western end of Spain’s Cantabrian Mountains is home to Bears, Wolves and a rich flora and birdlife. In the high alpine regions of Somiedo Natural Park we’ll be based in a village where locals still lead an age-old pastoralist life. In July, the small population of Bears living here ventures out into pastures to graze on spring grass, giving us our best chance of seeing one. This is a wild and forgotten corner of Spain, home to Golden Eagle and Goshawk, Alpine Chough and warblers, plus an abundance of flowers along the wayside and in meadows that is almost unknown in most of Western Europe now.

Black Kite, Honey Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle & Griffon Vulture in summer
Rock Thrush, Ortolan, Red-billed Chough, Black Woodpecker & Crossbill present
1,125 plants including regional endemics such as Somiedo Centaury
Mammals such as Chamois, plus Roe & Red Deer
Traditional Asturian architecture of stone & clay-tiled villages
Optional chance to scan for European Brown Bear at viewing places
Stunning scenery of craggy limestone peaks, upland pastures & valleys
Led by expert naturalist guide

Grading

A programme of day walks, at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,000 metres.

The Brown Bear is a rare and endangered species in Spain today. Just 130 animals remain, split between two isolated populations at either end of the Cordillera Cantábrica. Here they dwell in the wildest regions, high in the steepest and most wooded parts of this spectacular — but little-visited — mountain range. The majority of the Bears, about 100, are to be found in the western population, 20 of them in the deep valleys and rugged terrain of Somiedo Natural Park. Established as recently as 1988 (and declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2000), this 29,164-hectare park protects some of the highest and most scenic peaks and valleys of the region; a most pleasant mix of dramatic and craggy limestone peaks and cliffs, upland lakes, fast-flowing streams and rivers, magnificent oak and Beech forests, ancient stone-walled upland pastures and high alpine meadows, regarded as the best-preserved montane environment in the Iberian peninsula. In particular, this rich and varied tapestry of habitats not only suits the omnivorous Bear, but also supports a very large population of Chamois, Roe Deer and Red Deer, the prey of at least four packs of Wolves that roam elusively through the rugged regions of the park. We would, of course, be extremely lucky to see a Bear or a Wolf, but we will look hard for them nonetheless as we pursue our main focus — the region's birdlife, flora, butterflies and other mammals — during our daily walks in these mountains.

It is the human presence, however, that makes this region so very special. As if the wonderful Asturian architecture of the stone and clay-tiled villages of Somiedo's valleys — each dwelling with its separate, classically Asturian, stilted storehouse — were not enough, here the resident farmers continue to practise an age-old pastoralist lifestyle, maintaining their traditional and unique brañas. These are seasonal ‘villages’ of ancient stone and thatch huts, set in the high pastures, from which the cow-herders manage their herds of distinctive red Asturian cows each spring, summer and autumn. The region is also the land of the vaqueiros, a community of pastoralists from the coast who, for centuries, have seasonally driven (more often in a truck these days than on foot, as in the past!) their cattle between winter pastures on the coast and the high pastures in Somiedo's mountains where they spend each summer living in traditional seasonal vaqueiro villages and hold colourful biannual livestock fairs.

We have chosen to visit in early July since this is the season during which the Bears venture out into the pastures to ‘graze’ on the spring grass before they retreat into the forests to feed on fruit, nuts and other forest produce. It is also, of course, the best time of year for settled weather, birds and for flowers. Amongst the birds, an important though declining population of Capercaillie is protected here. Resident birds of prey include Golden Eagle, Goshawk, Peregrine and Griffon Vulture and these are joined in summer by good numbers of Black Kites, Short-toed Eagles, Honey Buzzards and Egyptian Vultures. Crag Martins, Rock Thrushes, Rock and Ortolan Buntings, and both Red-billed and Alpine Choughs frequent the high meadows. Red-backed Shrikes, Subalpine and Melodious Warblers, Cirl Buntings and Rock Sparrows may be found at lower levels, whilst Black Woodpeckers call from the Beech forests and Crested Tits and Crossbills may be heard amongst the coniferous woodlands.

Some 1,125 vascular plant species occur in Somiedo, and these include such regional endemics as Centaurea janeri ssp. babiana, Armeria bigerrensis ssp. legionensis, Saxifraga babiana and, most notably, the very rare Somiedo Centaury (Centaurium somedanum). However, it is likely to be the sheer abundance of flowers along the wayside and in the hay meadows and alpine pastures, and the butterfly and insect-life it supports, that affords us greatest pleasure at this season.

To best enjoy the natural history of these mountains, we will be based for the week in one of the larger villages of Somiedo and will spend each day on foot, enjoying a programme of gentle-paced day walks which we traditionally break with a delicious ‘al fresco’ picnic. In order to stand a chance of seeing a Bear, however, or even a Wolf, we must also put in long (but optional) hours of patient scanning from one spot, probably during the early mornings and late evenings. But, whatever we see on this holiday, it is the simple magic of this rich, scenic and timeless region, lying in a forgotten corner of rural Spain, that is likely to leave us with our most lasting and delightful memories.

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Fly Asturias and transfer to Somiedo Natural Park

Day 2/7

Day walks in the Cantabrian Mountains of the Somiedo region

Day 8

Return Asturias; fly London

Download Full Itinerary

What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation: A single-centre holiday using a clean and comfortable village hotel, all rooms with private facilities.
Food: All included in the price.

Reviews

The one-week holiday in Somiedo National Park was extremely well organised by Naturetrek, who paid great attention to detail and were extremely helpful. We were based at a nice hotel with varied, local food which was always freshly prepared and very tasty. Our guide was superb, tireless, extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic and helpful and enabled us to spot and identify a very wide range of flora and fauna. The daily programme was varied, enabling us to explore different parts of the Park and to spot different birds, butterflies and flowers. I came back from the trip feeling very satisfied and inspired, having had a fabulous week. Naturetrek could not have been more helpful. Great organisation, good with advice and information and very helpful at sorting out a couple of issues.
S.W. Shropshire, July 22
Great scenery, wonderful views of birds, butterflies, lizards and flowers - many of them rare. Good hotel and great food and wine. A very knowledgeable guide. One of the best holidays we've had.
P.M. Monmouthshire, July 22
I loved walking in the mountains and having our picnic lunches in picturesque spots, usually by a river. I had assumed beforehand that I wouldn't see many species of birds at this time of year, but was pleasantly surprised at how many we did see, including one 'lifer' for me. I liked the fact that the tour guide was an all-rounder, and that he had a sincere love of the region.
SG, Herefordshire, July 19

The holiday was more than I expected. There was a good mix of areas to explore and a wealth of wildlife.
LW, Hampshire, July 19

Byron was very helpful, considerate and well organised, and Gloria added a great deal with her local knowledge and attractive, friendly personality. I enjoyed her company.
R.L. Lincolnshire

Byron was an excellent guide - knowledgeable, courteous and considerate, and endlessly patient. Altogether, it was a most enjoyable holiday in a beautiful, unspoilt part of Europe.
S.W. Kent

The local guide Gloria was a mine of information and was a very nice person.
J.G. Cornwall

I'm very glad to have had the chance to see so much of this quite splendid area.
R.C. Cumbria

Great to stay in a hotel with Grey Wagtails and Dippers out of one of our bedroom windows and Griffon Vultures out of the other. This holiday was well managed by the tour leaders, who were both very knowledgeable, adaptable and extremely pleasant and good fun. The variety and amount of flowers was exceptional, birds good; the opportunity to see the unchanged rural mountain landscape and culture was very much appreciated. Thoroughly enjoyable!
C.W. Scotland

Particularly wish to say Jessica and Byron proved to be invaluable - they were knowledgeable, informative, courteous and congenial.
P.H. Kent

This was a very good holiday in an excellent location with a number of habitats within easy reach. We also benefited from having two guides who were very knowledgeable and, essential for this location, one of whom spoke the language.
M.D. Derbyshire

Excellent holiday! Byron was a great leader and worked tirelessly to try and get good sightings.
S.J. North Yorkshire

Byron and Gloria were great - good humoured, friendly, knowledgeable.
F.J. North Yorkshire

We found that the amount of walking on this holiday was just right for us and gave us a good picture of a beautiful and little-known area without much stressful travelling. Byron was an excellent guide and the hotel staff looked after us very well.
Mr & Mrs H. Coventry

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Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Thu 26th Jun – Thu 3rd Jul SPACES £1,795

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£1,595

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£170

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            [description] => Bear Watching Holidays – See Bears in their Wild Habitat
Bears are many people’s favourite mammal. They are immensely strong and have unpredictable temperaments, yet inspire great affection in most of us.
The Naturetrek programme includes a number of specially designed bear-watching holidays which employ local expertise to provide clients with wonderful opportunities to see their favourite mammals.
Naturetrek Bear-watching tours
Most species of bear are retiring in habit and rarely seen during the day. However, a prodigious appetite leads many species to gather seasonally in big numbers, which makes them far easier to watch!
Our bear tour groups are limited in size and accompanied by Naturetrek naturalist leaders, and also usually assisted by resident experts. Although focused on bear-watching, all Naturetrek bear tours offer many opportunities to observe the other wildlife of the area.
We also see bears on other Naturetrek tours such as Sloth Bears on Indian and Sri Lankan tours, and Brown Bears on many European tours.
Where can I see bears?

Slovenia - Bears, Birds & Caves – a 6-day holiday to Slovenia, focusing on its Brown Bears, birdlife and other natural history highlights
Canada: The West – stay on a floating wilderness lodge and explore Vancouver Island in search of Grizzly Bears
Spitsbergen – Realm of the Polar Bear – a voyage into the high Arctic in search of Polar Bears and other wildlife (exclusive charter cruise)
Brown Bears in Finland – photograph bears from a hide on the Russian border
Romania – The Wildlife of Transylvania – go in search of foraging bears in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains

Is it possible to see bears on other Naturetrek tours?
Yes. While not specifically searching for bears, we regularly have sightings of Sloth Bears on Indian and Sri Lankan tours, and Brown Bears on our Kamchatka cruise and many European tours.

Our specialist recommends...




"In Europe one of the most reliable places to see the European Brown Bear is northern Finland, where it is possible to get very close views from hides. Watching Grizzly Bears catching Salmon in western Canada is undoubtedly one of the greatest of natural history thrills. But for the ultimate bear-watching experience, and my personal favourite, it has to be a trip to the Arctic to see Polar Bears." 

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager

 
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            [description] => Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:

Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar

Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
 

Our specialist recommends...


"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader

  
 
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Who can fail to be delighted by butterflies – the intensity and variety of their colours, their delicate beauty and fascinating life cycles? Our tours allow butterfly-watching enthusiasts to observe marvellous species all around the world. Sadly, butterflies are in decline in many regions. To help prevent the loss of these beautiful creatures, our butterfly holidays make a direct contribution to their conservation.

Naturetrek Butterfly Tours

We offer an excellent range of dedicated butterfly holidays
All tours are led by a Naturetrek butterfly-watching expert
Although butterflies are the main focus of our butterfly tours, we also take time to observe other wildlife
By booking one of our dedicated butterfly holidays you will automatically be making a contribution to their conservation.

Here’s a selection of our dedicated butterfly tours:
Although we include butterfly-watching in many of our holidays, we offer a wide selection of dedicated butterfly tours, including:

The Cevennes – we look for butterflies in the Massif Central
Butterflies in Normandy – we go in search of some of Normandy’s 160 species of butterfly
Sweden's Butterflies & Dragonflies – Sweden is home to Large Blue, Apollo, Scarce Copper and many more species
Butterflies of the Dolomites – we explore sheltered valleys and butterfly hot-spots in the Italian Dolomites
Sri Lanka - A Butterfly Tour – seeking Sri Lanka’s dazzling tropical species
Butterflies of Morocco's High Atlas Mountains – a search for the butterflies of the High Atlas Mountains, with a wealth of other wildlife and mountain walks in spectacular scenery.

Naturetrek & Butterfly Conservation 
As a top category ‘Gold’ corporate sponsor of Butterfly Conservation (BC), we donate around £1,500 annually to the charity. As well as this, since 2002 we have donated 10% of all income generated by our annual programme of butterfly tours that we run in partnership with BC, and give BC membership to all non-members joining the tours.

Our specialist recommends...




"I'd recommend Naturetrek's Butterflies of South Africa holiday. On this butterfly holiday we look for butterflies in the Wajkkerstrom (montane grassland), which supports a wonderful diversity of species. Closer to home I'd suggest our Butterflies of Hungary tour, or Butterflies of Croatia for unspoilt landscapes and a density of butterfly-life rarely seen in western Europe now." 

Tom Brereton - Operations Manager

 
All Butterfly Watching Tours

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Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:

India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears 
A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert

Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.

Our specialist recommends...




"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager

  
All Mammal Watching Tours
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Tour Reports

Tour report - July 2011

Tour report - June 2010

Tour report - June 2009

Tour report - June 2008

Tour report - June 2007

Tour report - May 2007

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