Arcediano Trail

The Arcediano Trail is one of the oldest historic paths in the Picos de Europa: a Roman-era route connecting the Sajambre Valley (León) with Amieva (Asturias), crossing the National Park. It is named after archdeacon Pedro Díaz de Oseja, who in 1655 funded the restoration of this strategic pass between León and the Cantabrian coast.

The route starts from the Puerto del Pontón (1,280 m) on the N-625 and descends to Amieva along a 14 km trail (GR-201), with 900 m negative elevation change. The path preserves original cobbled sections over 500 years old and passes through dense beech and oak forests.

The landscape is of enclosed mountains: beech forests, limestone gorges, medieval bridges and the Toneyu cave (600 m deep, Natural Monument). The gradient is almost entirely downhill but knees feel it.

It is a point-to-point route (not circular), so transport between Pontón and Amieva needs organising. Can be done in one long stage or split over two days with an overnight in Soto de Sajambre.