Discover Ballota: Camino de Santiago, Hiking Routes and Playa de Riocabo
Accommodation in Ballota
The signposted Las Ballotas route passes through Ballota and is historically documented as part of the Camino de Santiago.
File:ISS063-E-21024 - View of Spain - Punta del Cuerno - Cadaveu - coast of Cantabrian Sea - Ballota (Cudillero) - Concha de Artedo (cropped).jpg
Photo: Photo: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center
Trails and Landscape
The Ballota–Santa Marina–Ballota circular route is 6.38 km long and has a low difficulty level. Along the route, you can see sculptures, canvases and paintings by artists from the region. On the descent to the Río Cabo, the Las Ballotas route features a present-day stone bridge regarded as the direct successor to the medieval “Pont qui tremble”.
For personal day planning, the different trail types can be compared. Signage, art and the landscape views mentioned add various thematic aspects to the trails.
The route to Pico Paradiella is a 6.5 km linear hiking trail with an approximate duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes and around 360 m of elevation gain. It is marked with the signage typical of the Camino de Santiago, including a waymarker and a scallop shell. This route is accessed via exit 455 of the A-8 motorway, following the signs for “Ballota–Tablizo”; then follow the signs to the Ermita de San Roque for 1.5 km. Throughout the route, there are views of Ballota and Tablizo, as well as an almost complete panorama of the protected landscape area of the western coast of Asturias.
The two hiking trails differ in their form and in the stated route characteristics; these differences help when considering the preferred pace for the day. Church, art, pilgrimage and beach each create different thematic focal points. Nature and cultural aspects can be incorporated into your own travel planning as separate themes.
Culture and History
The church of Santa María in Ballota dates from the 18th century and houses works by Dionisio Fierros. As a parish church, Santa María has a notable high altar. The parish church of Santa María in Ballota displays the two canvases “La Purísima Concepción” and “San Juan Bautista”.
Pilgrimage
Every August, a traditional pilgrimage in honour of Saint Roch takes place at the Ermita de San Roque.
When booking a holiday apartment in Ballota, travel dates, room category and cancellation policies can help structure the comparison of accommodation pages. Trails, culture, pilgrimage and Playa de Riocabo stand alongside one another as different themes for planning your day.
Other places in the same destination area include: Valdredo, Andés, Trevías, Millara, Cotariello, Faedo, Oneta, Villarín.
Nature
Playa de Riocabo is located in Ballota and forms part of the protected landscape area of the western coast of Asturias. From a point less than 1 km from the village of Ballota, a shady path of approximately 1 km leads to Playa de Riocabo in around 20 minutes on foot. Swimming is possible at Playa de Riocabo.
For the higher-level travel overview: Comarca Vaqueira.
