Entrago, also known by its Asturian name Entragu, is a small village in the municipality of Teverga, in the central-southern part of Asturias. It lies at approximately 440 metres above sea level, beside the River Teverga, in a mountainous valley surrounded by limestone formations, wooded slopes and traditional rural settlements. Although the village itself is relatively small, with around 170 inhabitants, it occupies an important position for visitors exploring this part of Asturias because it is one of the principal access points to the Senda del Oso, one of the region’s best-known walking and cycling routes.
The surrounding landscape is dominated by the Sierra de la Sobia and its impressive limestone formations. Peña Sobia is particularly recognisable, with its extensive rocky slopes rising above the valley and forming one of the most distinctive natural features of the area. Entrago is also situated at a crossroads between the main road connecting Proaza with San Martín de Teverga and the road leading towards the Puerto de Marabio, a mountain pass known for its open pastures, limestone formations and karst landscape.
The municipality of Teverga has a long history, with evidence of human occupation dating back to prehistoric times. Archaeological discoveries include burial mounds, prehistoric settlements and rock paintings, particularly those found in the Abrigos Rupestres de Fresnedo. These shelters contain numerous prehistoric figures painted on the rock, providing evidence of human activity in the area during the Bronze Age and the transition towards the Iron Age.
During the Roman period, the territory was crossed by important routes connecting Asturias with the interior of the Iberian Peninsula. One of the most significant was the Camín Real de la Mesa, an ancient communication route that crossed the Cantabrian Mountains and was used for centuries by travellers, merchants and military forces. The route follows a natural passage through the mountains and illustrates the importance of Teverga as a connection between the Asturian valleys and the Castilian plateau.
During the Middle Ages, the area developed around agricultural communities, religious institutions and noble families. One of the most important historic buildings in the municipality is the Colegiata de San Pedro de Teverga, located in La Plaza, the administrative capital of the municipality. This Romanesque-Gothic religious complex dates mainly from the 11th and 12th centuries and is particularly notable for its architecture, cloister and medieval tombs. The church also preserves the famous mummified remains traditionally associated with the Marquises of Valdecarzana and their family.
Teverga also has a significant mining history. Coal extraction became an important economic activity during the 19th and 20th centuries, bringing industrial development and employment to an otherwise predominantly rural territory. The remains of old mining installations, including the headframe of the San Jerónimo shaft in Santianes, are reminders of this period. As mining declined during the second half of the 20th century, tourism and outdoor activities gradually became more important to the local economy.
One of the main reasons for visiting Entrago today is the Senda del Oso, a greenway developed along the former railway track used to transport minerals from the mining areas of the interior towards the industrial centres of central Asturias. Following the closure of the railway, the old trackbed was converted into a route for walkers and cyclists, with the first section opening in 1995.
The main route connects Tuñón, in the municipality of Santo Adriano, with Entrago, covering approximately 21 kilometres. From Entrago, the route continues for another 8.5 kilometres towards Cueva Huerta, passing through the valley of Teverga. This extension provides direct access to the Parque de la Prehistoria and several other places of interest.
The old railway alignment makes the Senda del Oso relatively accessible compared with conventional mountain paths. It passes through tunnels, over bridges and alongside rivers, with sections running between steep limestone walls and wooded slopes. The route is suitable for walking and cycling, and several local businesses offer bicycle rental and related activities.
One of the most interesting sections is the route towards Cueva Huerta, which passes through a landscape dominated by Peña Sobia and the surrounding mountains. Along the way, visitors can also see the remains of the Castillo de Alesga, an old fortified site associated with the medieval history of the valley.
Cueva Huerta is a particularly important natural attraction in the municipality. Located in the Foz de la Estrechura gorge, it is one of the largest known karst cave systems in Asturias, with approximately 14.5 kilometres of mapped underground passages. The cave was formed by the action of water on limestone and is part of a larger geological system that includes underground rivers, sinkholes and areas where water re-emerges at the surface. It was officially declared a Natural Monument in 2002.
Another important attraction is the Parque de la Prehistoria de Teverga, located at San Salvador de Alesga. This museum and interpretation centre is dedicated to European prehistoric art and includes reproductions of some of the most important cave paintings found across the continent. Its exhibition spaces explain the techniques, subjects and archaeological significance of prehistoric art, while the outdoor enclosures contain animals representing species that lived in Europe during prehistoric times, including European bison, horses, deer and other large mammals.
The wider municipality also has several established hiking routes, including those towards Peña Sobia, the Puertos de Marabio and the Brañas Vaqueiras. The traditional brañas are mountain settlements historically used by livestock farmers, particularly communities practising seasonal transhumance. Their characteristic stone buildings, known as teitos or corros depending on their construction, provide an insight into the traditional way of life in the Asturian mountains.
Entrago itself has a small number of traditional buildings, and one of its notable architectural features is the Palacio de los Condes de Agüera, an old noble residence associated with the local aristocratic families. The village is also known for its relationship with the Senda del Oso and for its position close to the mountain landscapes of the Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park, which is also part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve network.
The motorhome area is located at the entrance to Entrago, beside the recreational area and the starting point of the Senda del Oso. It is a large public parking facility used extensively by motorhomes, although there are no individually reserved pitches with a fixed capacity exclusively for campervans. The parking area is free of charge, and overnight stays are permitted.
The wider recreational complex has several facilities, including public toilets with showers, drinking-water facilities, waste-disposal installations for motorhomes, picnic tables, benches, rubbish collection and a children’s play area. There are also restaurants and other local services within a short distance, particularly towards San Martín de Teverga, where there are additional shops and everyday facilities. The parking area is located directly beside the route, making it convenient for anyone planning to explore the Senda del Oso on foot or by bicycle.
We stayed there outside the main tourist season, but despite the time of year there were still quite a lot of motorhomes using the area. Nevertheless, the parking space is very large, so even with several other vehicles already present there was plenty of room available and we had no difficulty finding a place. The surface is not completely level and the parking area has a slight slope, which is worth considering when positioning a larger motorhome.
Unfortunately, the general condition of the place was rather disappointing. We found it very dirty and poorly maintained, with an overall appearance that was noticeably run-down. This was particularly disappointing considering the size of the facility and its position beside such an important walking and cycling route. The fact that it is completely free of charge is certainly an advantage, but the state of the parking area considerably affects the overall impression.
On the positive side, it was very quiet and peaceful during our stay. Although several other motorhomes were present, there was no significant disturbance and we had no problems with noise. The surrounding mountains and the proximity of the walking routes make the location particularly convenient for outdoor activities, and the immediate access to the Senda del Oso is one of its strongest points.
There is also a Guardia Civil facility directly opposite the parking area, and during our stay a police patrol passed through once. Despite this visible presence, we did not feel entirely safe. This was our personal impression of the place and its surroundings rather than the result of any particular incident, as nobody approached us or caused any problems during our stay.
Overall, Entrago is a useful motorhome stop for exploring Teverga and the Senda del Oso, particularly because it is free, spacious and directly connected to several walking and cycling routes. However, the poor condition and lack of cleanliness are significant disadvantages, and the slight slope means that not every parking position is perfectly level. We appreciated the quiet atmosphere and the availability of space despite the number of motorhomes already there, but the general maintenance of the area could be considerably better.