CAUTION: MOUNTAIN WALKING CAN BE DANGEROUS
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL 112.
Mountain walking can be dangerous, although there is no need for it to be here. For advice on mountain safety and skills, if you intend walking in the high mountain areas, take a look at the British Mountaineering Council or the Mountain Rescue of England and Wales. There is no need to get worried, but do take responsibility for yourself. The recommendation of a route on this website is no guarantee of it's safety on the day that you visit, or of right of access. But there is also opportunity for great walking near settlements and with no need to navigate.
In most cases you will need a map and compass as well as the route description. Maps are not always as accurate or well presented as, for example, maps in the United Kingdom. For a map of the Redes park area, download here, you can also buy a paper map in the visitor centre at the Casa del Agua in Rioseco. To look around the area online use this view of OpenStreetMap showing contours and geographical names.
The Spanish topographic maps at 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 scale, by the Instituto Geografico Nacional, are more accurate but hard to find in the area, to order them you can visit the Map Shop. For example the 54 (or 14-05) sheet "Rioseco" includes Soto de Agues.
In most cases you will need a map and compass as well as the route description. Maps are not always as accurate or well presented as, for example, maps in the United Kingdom. For a map of the Redes park area, download here, you can also buy a paper map in the visitor centre at the Casa del Agua in Rioseco. To look around the area online use this view of OpenStreetMap showing contours and geographical names.
The Spanish topographic maps at 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 scale, by the Instituto Geografico Nacional, are more accurate but hard to find in the area, to order them you can visit the Map Shop. For example the 54 (or 14-05) sheet "Rioseco" includes Soto de Agues.
RESTRICTIONS?
This is a protected area with restrictions on how different zones are used. More information can be found at the visitor centre in Campo de Caso. Be aware that camping is not allowed, do not light fires other than in areas prepared for them.
Away from the recognised routes you are supposed to get permission to enter a restricted zone or "Zona de Uso Restringido" in order to protect wildlife - bears can use parts of the park as a corridor. But to obtain this permission involves an impractical process of sending a fax (yes a fax!) to the Director's office in Oviedo two weeks in advance with lots of details, ask at the visitor centre. However many listed routes are poorly marked, and conflicting advice is published - I have seen a new signpost for an unmapped route in a restricted area, and a guide book approved by the tourist ministry sending you through a similar restricted area! So use your discretion. See the visitor's ecological code, in Spanish only.
Away from the recognised routes you are supposed to get permission to enter a restricted zone or "Zona de Uso Restringido" in order to protect wildlife - bears can use parts of the park as a corridor. But to obtain this permission involves an impractical process of sending a fax (yes a fax!) to the Director's office in Oviedo two weeks in advance with lots of details, ask at the visitor centre. However many listed routes are poorly marked, and conflicting advice is published - I have seen a new signpost for an unmapped route in a restricted area, and a guide book approved by the tourist ministry sending you through a similar restricted area! So use your discretion. See the visitor's ecological code, in Spanish only.
TICKS!
Unfortunately ticks can be a problem, as I have found to my cost wearing shorts in bracken! There is a low risk of Lyme Disease in Spain, for general advice read this information, or this advice from BADA in the UK. Avoid dense bracken, check for ticks; if necessary use a pair of tweezers and grasp the head of the tick as close to the body as possible, and apply slow and steady traction, or use a special tick remover.
SNAKES?
If you are very lucky/unlucky, you could see a Seoane's viper which is similar to a British adder and poisonous, although they will try to keep out of your way. There are snakes which look similar but are harmless, local advice may not be correct. If you are bitten by a snake, remain calm and seek medical attention immediately, ring 112.
