In the earlier sections we talked about the close link between Udías and mining. On this trail, we propose you walk part of the same route as the mining train that extracted minerals from pozo de Peña Montero to La Gándara. It’s simple, with hardly any incline and a component that attracts people of all ages: two tunnels that you need to pass through with a flashlight or a headlamp.

The journey starts near Cobijón, in the place known as Las Casas de la Mina or La Gándara. The buildings around here correspond to the mining activity: offices, garages, remains of rotary kilns, hospital and the engineer’s house. We’ll show you each one of those points on the map and an old photo in which you can really notice how much time has passed. At the start of the trail there’s a sign indicating the route you’ll take, but it’s very simple because your main guide will be the train track. The track is linear and it will lead you to Pozo Peña Montero; and you take the same way back to return. 

The trail ends at a winding tower called Pozo del Madroño or Pozo Peña Montero. You’ll notice on the front of the tower there’s a logo that says “RCA”. It stands for Real Compañía Asturiana (Royal Asturian Company), the company that built the area of Las Casas de la Mina in the 20^th century.

Technical information and recommendations:

►  Starts and ends: Casas de la Mina. La Gándara
►  Length: 6 km
► Duration: 2 h
► Level: easy
► Type of track: linear
► Desnivel: +50 m./ -50 m.
► Type of path: walking path
► Signpost:  A sign only at the beginning
► Drinking water: no

Notes: 

1. Wear good hiking shoes and take a torch.
2. Only leave your footprints on the ground: throw any trash you accumulate into the correct bin when you return.
3. Live in harmony with the environment: observe animals from a distance and respect the plants. If you walk quietly you may find some pleasant surprises.

Download track trail 

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