In the municipality of Caso one can find the largest growths of beech trees in Europe, but there are also yews, ashes, birch, chestnut, oak and holly. There are many varieties of the fauna with protected species such as the brown bear, boar, wolf, golden eagle, capercaillie, deer, roe deer, etc.
This area is a part of the Mancomunidad of the Nalon Valley formed by the councils of Langreo, San Martin del Rey Aurelio, Laviana, Sobrescobio and Caso. It is located in the south east of Asturias and connected by the Nalon River.
In this area you have two main protected landscapes; the first is the wonderful natural landscapes of the Redes Natural Park which is a Biosphere Reserve in Sobrescobio and Caso. The second is the Protected Landscapes of the Mining Basins in Langreo, San Martin del Rey Aurelio and Laviana.
The area of Caso is a part of the Natural Park of Redes, one of the most valued natural spaces in Asturias that has been declared as a Wold Biosphere Reserve. An area of water, woods, peaks and village have lived mainly from agriculture and raising livestock.
The Natural Park of Redes belongs to the Nature 2000 network, it is considered a Place of Community Importance and it is also a Special Protection Place for Birds (ZEPA). It was also awarded with the Q certification in 2005 for tourism quality.
Inside the Redes Park there are three natural Monuments: The Alba Route with cascades and waterfalls along the whole route. The Tabayón del Mongayu, a spectacular waterfall originating in the Riega del Mongayu and the Deboyu cave: a kast cavity excavated by the River Nalon as it passes through the locality of Les Yanes.
In the council of Caso you find examples of artistic patrimony such as The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria La Real in Tañes, the Church of Santa Cruz La Real in Caliao, the Medieval Bridge of El Campu, The Tower House and Chapel of San Cosme in El Campu, The Veneros Palace in Veneros, the Chapel of Santiago in Bueres or the Chapel of the Virgin of Dolores in Nieves.
In the council of Caso you can also find a large representation of ethnographic patrimony through traditional housing, stables and barns, horreos and paneras, grinding mills, public springs, washing places and animal troughs.
The abundance of woods means that Caso is known for its long tradition of woodcrafts. Here you can visit the Wood Museum in an Asturias Baroque style XVII century palace in the village of Veneros. Woodworking and basket weaving is very notable in the area, and it is worth mention the tradition of clog making. In fact you can visit the Clog Museum in Pendones.
In this area there is a wide range of activities according to the season, fishing and hunting are two of the most deeply rooted in the Valley. In autumn you can listen the sounds of braying deer. Also the reservoirs of Tanes and Rioseco are a unique situation for bird watching, especially at Rioseco where there are two purpose-built observation posts.
There are many Walking Routes in the Caso such as The Brañagallones Route, The Route of La Cabeza L’Arcu, The Route of the Waterfall of Tabayón, The Route of the Peña of l’Vientu or the Route of the Royal Walk of Sellon, among others.
This is also a fantastic area for the practice of different sports such as walking, trekking, mountaineering, mountain biking, rock and ice climbing, horse riding, cycling and Nordic Skiing.
The other main attraction of the area is the Gastronomy enjoying Asturias traditional food based in stews, Asturias beef, fish from the rivers, local Asturias sweets. But the star of the region is the high Nalon trout, the Casin cheese, one of the oldest in Spain, and the Nalón whispers which are exquisite butter pastries.
More info: Caso Tourist Office
If you want more information contact Where is Asturias at info@whereisasturias.com
Images supplied by Caso Council, Turismo Asturias: Victor Cabal, José Suárez, Mercedes Blanco, Camilo Alonso, Antonio Vázquez, Osmel.
