Stage 2: Alles - Carreña

The second section of the Nature Trail begins at Alles, capital city of Peñamellera Alta, located at the foot of Sierra del Cuera. It continues west across the south side of the massif, and then descends to Carreño in County Cabrales.

The route starts near Alles' health centre, where the information panel is located. Several directional signs point the way.

Just outside Alles are the remains of the late Romanesque church of San Pedro de Plecín, a beautiful temple that dates from the 11th to the 13th centuries. It was built over another pre-Romanesque church. Archaeological remains of a large medieval necropolis have been found below the church. The church of San Pedro de Plecín remained standing until the eighteenth century, under the patronage of the Mier family, and was converted into a cemetery when the nearby church of San Pedro was opened.

In this first stretch, the route descends steeply into the valley of the River Janu, a tributary of the River Cares, through holm oak (Quercus ilex) and holly oak (Quercus rotundifolia) forests, protected by regional legislation as vegetation of special interest. There are also other species typical to the area, such as common oaks (Quercus robur), hazels (Corylus avellana) and chestnuts (Castanea sativa). Special attention should be paid to the signs in this section, in particular, after crossing the River Sedo.

Further on, the Trail reaches a paved road, along which it continues to climb gently, parallel to the Janu, through slopes carpeted with heath (Erica sp.) and gorse (Ulex europaeus).

After crossing the bridge over the River Rumor, the route turns left and continues along a gravel track. Immediately after, the route crosses the River Janu. However, there is no bridge to cross the river; therefore, extreme care should be exercised when doing so. Attention should also be paid to the directional signs. Further on, the route crosses again the river, this time over a stone bridge. It then continues on a moderate climb to Rozagás, where views of the calcareous grassland and Sierra del Cuera can be seen behind the path.

From Rozagás, the route heads up the AS-345 to a summer pasture that demarcates the boundary between counties Peñamellera Alta and Cabrales. At this point, the road descends gently to Arangas, passing though the town. A short distance away, and after leaving behind the valley, the route continues up along a track to the right of the road, through pastures and chestnut and oak forests.

The Trail continues to climb steeply until Pandellamas, in some parts on concrete tracks. After reaching the mountain pass, attention should be paid to the signs, as the track veers to the left just before reaching some cabins. It then turns left again to descend steeply along a stone wall toward the confluence of two brooks. After crossing the brooks, the Trail continues uphill along a steep slope, skirting around a stone-walled pasture dotted with chestnut trees. Fantastic views of Sierra Panalba and, in the distance, the Picos de Europa, can be seen from here; in particular, Picu Urriellu is perfectly visible.

The climb ends at Collau of Pandejana, where a gravel track begins, with concrete surface in some places. The route continues descending until it reaches the end of this section at Carreña.