View from the Senda Verde
The Senda Verde or green path is an easy circular walk from the hotel with spectacular views over the Sella Valley and the Picos de Europa and can be extended to take a scenic route into Arriondas. It’s an official registered footpath and as such its maintenance (in theory) is the responsibility of the town hall. When I walked this route a couple of weeks ago it was encouraging to see that new way marks had been put up along the route by the “Comarca del Sueve” a local government body whose function is to try and promote the area. So it was good to see that they are investing in waymarking and recognize the potential of the area for walkers.
The village of Collia
The walk starts from the hotel following the road into the village of Collia and then carries along a grass track where I came across a local; Pepe. He was cutting down some hazelnut sticks growing on the side of the track to use them for training his peas. In this area there are lots of hazelnuts that grow wild and their pinnate sticks make excellent support for peas. It was early afternoon and though it was slightly overcast it was quite warm. The next part of the track is very beautiful away from roads and with lovely views over farmland and layers of mountains disappearing into the horizon. A little further on there were 2 more locals from the village; Jose and his mother. They were sitting on a “natural” stone seat admiring the views and told me they came out walking along the “Senda Verde” most afternoons. Jose also told me that he had asked in the town hall and that he was trying to get them to place a wooden bench on the route. It somehow seemed very nice that the some of the villagers were also enjoying “their” local footpaths and wanted a bench to be able to enjoy the views.
Walking the Senda Verde just before Pendas
After a while the track joins a cement track and enters the village of Pendas which stands above the river Sella with impressive views over to the Picos. A new display board has been put here showing the names of some of the different surrounding mountains. A little further on the green path turns left and follows a minor road back to the village of Collia but if you want you can carry on the road and wind your way down 2 kms to Arriondas.
Arriondas as seen from the Senda Verde
The road back to Collia gives you good views of the Sueve Mounatin range and the route then joins a small track back to the village of Collia. This last part of the route used to be totally overgrown and was partially blocked by a fallen wall but a couple of years ago the town hall repaired the wall and cleaned the path and ever since its made a good way to return to the village of Collia and back to the hotel.
Canoes on the River Sella in Arriondas
Technical information
Map Senda Verde from Hotel Posada del Valle
Download GPS trail from Wikiloc
Self guided walking notes available for guests from the hotel
| Type of walk | Circular or A to B |
| Starting Point | Hotel |
| Finishing Point | Hotel / Arriondas |
| Grading | Easy |
| Total Length | Circular route 5,4 km. To Arriondas 5,3 km (one way) |
| Total Ascent | Circular route 170 m. To Arriondas 90m ascent 220m descent |
| Total Walking time | Circular route 1 ½ hours. To Arriondas 1 ½ hours |
| Terrain | Minor roads and small tracks |
| Navigation | Easy |
| Refreshments | Hotel and Arriondas, Bar sometimes open in Collia |
| Map | Mapa Topográfico nacional de España; Arriondas |
