Driving the scenic Cares Canyon Road in Asturias
Spain, europe
61 km
N/A
easy
Year-round
# Cañon del Rio Cares: Spain's Hidden Canyon Gem
If you're looking for one of the most breathtaking canyon drives in all of Spain, look no further than Asturias. The Cañon del Rio Cares is an absolute must-see, tucked away in the northern reaches of the country and carved dramatically by the Cares River itself.
The road—AS-264—winds through some seriously stunning gorge scenery as it connects Arenas de Cabrales to Poncebos. And here's the best part: it's totally paved, so you don't need to worry about rough terrain. The whole drive is just 6.1 km (3.79 miles) long, making it perfect for a quick but spectacular adventure. Most people can blast through it in 10-12 minutes, though honestly, you'll probably want to pull over constantly to snap photos and soak in the views.
Nestled within the legendary Picos de Europa mountains, this route has serious history too. Construction kicked off way back in September 1893, and the road officially opened to traffic on October 1, 1916—over a century of delivering jaw-dropping views to travelers.
Whether you're a road-tripping enthusiast or just looking for an incredible scenic detour through northern Spain, the Cañon del Rio Cares delivers in spades. The sweeping vistas and dramatic canyon walls make this one you absolutely won't forget.
Where is it?
Driving the scenic Cares Canyon Road in Asturias is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.3300, -3.4794
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 61 km
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 39.3300, -3.4794
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