Named for the "wanderers" who traverse the mountains of Asturias, the Travesía Andariega is a demanding route connecting the sacred sites of this green, mountainous region. The path links Covadonga to other sanctuaries and shrines, offering pilgrims a comprehensive experience of Asturian spiritual geography.
📜 History & Significance
Asturias holds a special place in Spanish Catholic identity as the land that resisted Muslim conquest and began the Reconquista. The mountains that protected Pelayo's resistance also sheltered countless churches, hermitages, and shrines that have drawn pilgrims for over a millennium.
The Travesía Andariega connects these sacred sites in a challenging mountain traverse. The name celebrates the tradition of walking pilgrimage - the "andariegos" or wanderers who have crisscrossed these mountains in devotion throughout the centuries.
🥾 Route Overview
The Travesía Andariega covers approximately 100 km through Asturian mountain territory, typically requiring 4-6 days of demanding walking. The route traverses steep terrain through forest and alpine pasture, with significant elevation gains.
The path connects multiple pilgrimage sites including Covadonga, passing through landscapes that combine natural beauty with spiritual significance. Well-marked trails link traditional pilgrimage paths with modern hiking routes.
☩ Key Pilgrimage Sites
Covadonga Sanctuary - The Holy Cave, the tomb of King Pelayo, and the basilica marking the birthplace of the Reconquista. The mountain lakes above offer contemplative beauty.
Smaller shrines and hermitages along the route preserve local devotions - rural churches with Romanesque origins, wayside crosses marking ancient paths, and villages where traditional faith remains central to community life.
📚 Further Reading
Curated resources to help you research and plan your pilgrimage on the Travesía Andariega.
