In this day and age where the use of a car is a daily necessity for many people, the opportunity to leave the car keys on the side table and forget the traffic queues is something to be relished. Over the last couple of years we have been working looking at different walks, outings and activities which can be done whilst staying at Hotel Posada del Valle with out the need of a car. 
We now believe Hotel Posada del Valle makes a very good base for a relaxing holiday without a car. There are excellent walks in the surrounding countryside of various grades that start and finish directly from the hotel. The walks focus on the surrounding hills and valleys enabling our guests to visit some of the local villages where it’s possible to get a feel for the rich culture and rural life of Asturias.
Granary store or “Horreo;” typical rural scenery.
With a little more effort (or the with the help of a short taxi ride) it’s possible to walk along the Sueve mountains, a coastal mountain range with stunning views of the coast and surrounding mountains – with it’s semi-wild horses and rich fauna and flora, the Sueve is a place to let life slow to a gentler pace. It’s also possible to walk from the hotel to the coast along the Fito hills where the views never fail to impress. A taxi can be taken for return to the hotel if required.
Views from the Sueve Mountains
Walking from the hotel to the coast
The range of walks can be extended by the use of public transport from Arriondas where it is possible to get the narrow gauge railway (FEVE) or use the bus service (ALSA). The public transport isn’t that frequent but with good planning there are normally sufficient services. Arriondas is 3 kms from the hotel and can be reached either walking directly along the road taking about 40 minutes or by using the more scenic route “La Senda Verde” which takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. There is also a good taxi service between the hotel and Arriondas the journey costing about 5 Euros.
The FEVE narrow guage railway
By use of the public transport from Arriondas it’s also possible to visit Oviedo the capital of Asturias with its art museum, cathedral, pre-romanesque churches and shopping centre as well as the coastal towns of Ribadesella and Llanes, with their fishing ports, beaches and old town centres.
Finally we shouldn’t forget the hotel has 2 lounges and a terrace for relaxing as well as its own 20 acre organic farm with an interpretive trail, places to sit and relax and depending on the time of the year, walks and strolls around its wild flower meadows.
The hotel farm
Guests who come without a car should realise that it is difficult to get in to the higher mountains such as the Picos de Europa as there is no public transport service, except in the very height of summer. We do however promote a car-sharing scheme but find that it is not always as successful as we would like it to be. We hope to develop this in the future.
To reach the hotel by public transport see the link on ‘non flying travel options’ under the Travel Arrangement section of our web page.
The feedback from guests who have chosen a no-car holiday and have set realistic goals has been very positive, taking a slower paced holiday and spending quality time in a focussed area being the highlight and positive aspects of their trip.
The cross on the “Pico Moro” or Moors Peak which can also be reached walking straight from the hotel.
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