Discovering Puertu Chicu
Puertu Chicu sits on a modest rise in eastern Asturias, providing one of the region’s most accessible yet uncrowded coastal panoramas. From the stone viewpoint platform, the eye travels across rolling green meadows straight to the jagged cliffs that drop into the Cantabrian Sea, with clear days revealing the outline of the Picos de Europa to the south.
Getting There
The viewpoint lies a short drive inland from the N-634 coastal highway between Llanes and Ribadesella. Follow the narrow local road signposted toward Puertu Chicu; the final stretch is a well-maintained but winding lane bordered by stone walls and hydrangeas. Limited parking sits directly beside the viewpoint, so arrive early in peak summer months. Those without a car can reach the area by bus to nearby villages and then walk the final two kilometres along quiet country lanes.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and early autumn deliver the clearest light and fewer visitors. Summer mornings often bring sea mist that burns off by mid-morning, revealing the full sweep of coastline. Winter visits reward hardy travellers with crisp air and occasional snow on the distant peaks, though paths can be muddy.
What to See and Do
The main attraction is the uninterrupted 180-degree outlook from the low stone wall at the edge of the clearing. Look for fishing boats heading toward the port of Llanes and, on calm days, the whitecaps marking underwater reefs. Short walking paths radiate from the viewpoint: one heads west along a grassy ridge toward a small dolmen, while another drops gently into a sheltered valley of oak and hazel. Birdwatchers frequently spot griffon vultures soaring above the cliffs and, in migration season, flocks of seabirds skimming the water.
Combining with Nearby Attractions
Combine a visit with the beaches of Cuevas del Mar or the dramatic Bufones blowholes near Llanes, both less than fifteen minutes by car. Hikers can continue on foot toward the Sierra de Cuera for longer ridge walks that eventually link into the Picos de Europa trail network.
