Puntos de Interés
Hydrography
Pigüeña River
To the south of Puerto de la Cerezal, in Somiedo, lies the source of the Pigüeña River. Emerging from the Fuente de La Paradona at an altitude of more than 1,700 m, its waters traverse 47.6 km to reach its confluence with the Narcea River at San Martín de Lodón, serving as its principal tributary.
Primarily a trout river, with occasional salmon sightings, the Pigüeña owes its water quality—clean and oxygenated—to the Calabazos dam, a significant contributor to maintaining an environment conducive to its life cycle.
The river courses through various municipalities, including Belmonte de Miranda and Somiedo, as well as the villages of Villar de Vildas, Pigüeña, Castiellu, Aguasmestas, and Belmonte. Notably, an underground tunnel of over 22 km near the village of El Covacho collects its waters, subsequently used by the Miranda Hydroelectric Power Station—excavated in live rock—to generate electricity for Oviedo.
Its tributaries include the Somiedo River, Montovo, and La Muria Valley. In the upper part, it crosses the Somiedo Natural Park, a showcase of Asturian forests including beech, oak, ash, maple, lime, yew, and holm oak trees.
The region's fauna comprises roe deer, wild boar and wolves, but also the desman, badger, and wildcat. Birds like the peregrine falcon and golden eagle also find a habitat here. it has been designated as a Site of Community Interest in Somiedo, a Special Protection Area for Birds, and a Biosphere Reserve.