The Sueve valley and mountains: Mirador del Fitu, asturcones and easy walks

Villa del Sella is in Arriondas, in the Sueve valley, and you only need to look up to see where the name comes from. The Sierra del Sueve is the small mountain range rising between Arriondas and the coast of Colunga and Caravia: real mountains a stone's throw from the sea, with meadows, beech woods and horses grazing freely. It's a Protected Landscape and, though less famous than the Picos de Europa, it has some of the best views in eastern Asturias.

The Mirador del Fitu

The easiest way to take in the Sueve is the Mirador del Fitu, at the top of the AS-260 road between Arriondas and Colunga, about 11 km from Arriondas. It was built in 1927 with a raised platform to see over the trees, and from it you can take in the Cantabrian coast on one side and the Picos de Europa and the range on the other. On a clear day it's an unforgettable view. You can drive right up to the viewpoint, so it suits all ages.

The asturcones, the horses of the Sueve

The Sueve is the historic home of the asturcón, a small, sturdy native horse breed that came close to disappearing in the 1970s. The range was its last refuge and today it is the emblem of its wildlife. Walking through its meadows you'll easily come across groups grazing freely; watch them without getting too close. Every August, at the Majada de Espineres, the Fiesta del Asturcón takes place, founded in 1980 to protect the breed, with exhibitions, branding of the foals and a meal in the open air.

Easy walks from the Fitu

• From the Fitu to the Majada de Bustacu. A walk along tracks and meadows to an old shepherds' settlement of stone huts, a good option with children, returning the same way.
• Picu Pienzu. For those who want more, the route continues to the top of the range at 1,161 m: about 11 km there and back, around four hours and some 740 m of ascent. On a clear day the summit looks out over much of the Asturian coast and the Picos.
• La Viescona beech wood. A beech forest considered the lowest-lying in Asturias, on a route of moderate difficulty.

Vultures and chamois are a common sight in the range. Wear walking boots, carry water and check the weather before setting off: fog rolls in quickly from the sea.

A half-day plan

The Sueve is perfect for a relaxed morning: up to the Fitu, a walk to Bustacu and down to Colunga or Ribadesella for lunch by the sea. In the afternoon, back at Villa del Sella, the 700 m² garden and the views over the Sueve valley round off the day.