Protected Landscape of the Mining Basins

The Mining Basins Protected Landscape serves as a reminder that the nature of the Central Mountains cannot be separated from their industrial history. Here, mountains, rivers, slopes, and valleys have coexisted for generations with coal, industrial routes, mining facilities, and the towns that sprang up around them. It is neither a pristine nor an idealized landscape—and that is precisely what makes it so compelling: it is a genuine territory, shaped by hard work, transformation, and memory.

Exploring this landscape offers a glimpse of a different side of Asturias, where beauty lies not only in the natural world but also in the way the region has embraced its scars. Former industrial sites, greenways, reclaimed hillsides, and valleys once again open to walkers and sports enthusiasts reveal the complex relationship between industry and nature. The past does not vanish; rather, it is viewed in a new light.

The true value of this area lies in its authenticity. It makes no attempt to hide its history, but instead showcases how the mountains and the mining industry were part of the same reality. Today, the Mining Basins Protected Landscape invites visitors to walk, cycle, and observe more closely. It is a landscape with a memory, where every valley tells a story of labor, daily life, and the territory’s capacity to transform itself without losing its identity.