At Las Mimosas del Nalón, we believe that some of the best learning doesn't happen in a classroom, but outdoors, discovering places that spark curiosity and help us better understand the world around us.
We recommend continuing this activity with families and young people, one of the most interesting and surprising routes in central Asturias: The Ranón Trench Route.
This is an experience that combines nature, history, heritage, and some of the most spectacular views of the Asturian coast. A simple and accessible route that allows children and young people to approach an important chapter of our history while enjoying the privileged environment of the Nalón River estuary, Los Quebrantos Beach and San Juan de la Arena.
Our aim is not merely to walk. We want participants to observe, question, imagine, and discover. We want them to understand what life was like almost a century ago, to value the importance of preserving our historical heritage, and to learn to look at the landscape with new eyes.
This activity is part of our way of understanding tourism and education: authentic experiences that fuel curiosity, encourage contact with nature, and create memories that last long after returning home.
Asturias is an extraordinary classroom. And from Las Mimosas del Nalón we love sharing it with those who visit us.
Trench Route
Here we tell you everything we will discover during this exciting route through the Ranón Trenches.
Hello explorers!
Today a very special route. Not only are we going to walk through one of the most beautiful places in the municipality of Soto del Barco, but we are also going to travel back in time to discover how soldiers lived almost 90 years ago.
We are at the Ranón Trenches, a place where history and nature meet in a surprising way.
What are trenches?
Trenches are ditches dug in the ground that soldiers used for protection during wars.
Imagine you have to watch over an important area without being seen. Trenches were used for hiding, moving more safely, and defending a position.
The ones we are going to visit were built during the Spanish Civil War, between the years 1936 and 1937.
Why were they built here?
Look around you.
Do you see the mouth of the Nalón River?
Do you see San Juan de la Arena and Los Quebrantos Beach?
From this place, a large part of the Asturian coast can be observed. That's why it was a very important strategic point.
The soldiers could watch who was approaching by sea or land and give warning if there was danger.
The lives of soldiers
Now let's imagine what it was like to be here many years ago.
There were no mobile phones.
There was no internet.
There were no video games.
The soldiers spent many hours on watch, even at night. They had to endure rain, wind, and cold, something we know very well in Asturias.
Often they slept in dugouts or in small concrete blockhouses that we can still see today.
If you look closely, some of the remaining structures are authentic witnesses to that era.
The Secret Forts
Along the route, we will find several small forts.
The blockhouses were small concrete structures designed to protect soldiers.
They had narrow openings to observe the outside and defend the area without exposing themselves too much.
You can imagine they were like small fortresses hidden amongst the vegetation.
The great viewpoint
Now comes one of the best parts of the route.
Let's go closer to the viewpoint.
From here we can see:
The Playa de Los Quebrantos.
🏘️ San Juan de la Arena.
The mouth of the Nalón river.
The woods and meadows surrounding the whole area.
When you observe the landscape, think of something curious: the same place we use today to enjoy the views was chosen many years ago because it allowed us to see miles and miles of coastline.
A challenge for true explorers
As we walk, try to find:
A trench.
A stronghold.
A place from which to see the sea.
✅ Some seabird.
A plant or flower you don't know.
The nature surrounding the trenches is as interesting as the history itself.
The most important thing about this visit
The trenches remind us of a difficult period in Spain's history.
They are no longer useful for war today.
They are useful for learning.
To remember.
And to understand that places can have many stories to tell.
That is why it is important to look after them and respect them.
What are you taking away from this adventure?
A walk through forests and cliffs.
A trip to the past.
Spectacular views of the Cantabrian Sea.
And the opportunity to discover that history isn't just in books... it's also under our feet.
Now look up, breathe in the sea air and enjoy the scenery.
Because few routes combine adventure, nature, and history as well as the Ranón Trenches. 🌿🌊🏰😊
