ROAD TRIP IN ASTURIAS: FROM BEACHES TO HIGH PEAKS
In the previous two parts of this series documenting their travels across the Iberian peninsula, our two guides explored Portugal – from its beaches to its vineyards, all the way to the River Douro that forms a natural border with Spain. Now it’s time to cross that border. But don’t expect classics like Barcelona, Madrid or the Escorial. Surfer and yoga instructor Ambre-Victoire and photographer and filmmaker Aljaz Babnik prefer to go where there are more waves and fewer tourists. Join them.
The ŠKODA KODIAQ RS stops with our two guides in the Asturias part of the Picos de Europa limestone mountain range, which is spread over the three autonomous communities of Cantabria, Castile-Leon and Asturias. The mountain range covers an area of about a thousand square kilometres and lies about twenty kilometres from the Bay of Biscay coast. The highest peak is over 2,600 metres above sea level, and the range boasts more than two hundred peaks over two kilometres in height. Spain’s first national park was established in the western part of the range in 1918, and in 2003 the Picos de Europa National Park was designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
ŠKODA KODIAQ RS
In addition to its huge interior, last year’s modernised sports version of the large SUV KODIAQ serves up a generous helping of adrenaline and dynamism. The sporty bumpers, black paintwork and up to 20-inch alloy wheels catch the eye straightaway. Confidence, performance, excitement but also safety – 180 kilowatts of power make this RS the ideal companion for long journeys. The RS version is equipped with a sporty three-spoke steering wheel, and is also available as a seven-seat interior with ergonomic and electrically adjustable front seats. Passengers will love the high-end infotainment system with a touchscreen display of up to 9.2 inches, among many other modern tech conveniences. The driver gets a 10.25-inch virtual dashboard as standard from the Style trim upwards, giving four different display options and, in the RS version, an additional sporty dashboard design.
Another of the natural treasures in Asturias are the Covadonga lakes, which are part of the Picos de Europa National Park and consist of two large lagoons of glacial origin, Enol and La Ercina, together with a smaller lagoon, El Bricial, which only has water when the snow melts. The largest of the lakes, Enol, is 1,000 metres above sea level, while La Ercina is another 100 metres higher. In addition to the looming mountain peaks, the numerous herds of grazing cows give the place a breathtaking, almost alpine atmosphere. Don’t miss the Buferrera manganese and iron mines or the holy grotto with its image of the Virgin Mary, donated by the cathedral in Oviedo in 1778 after a great fire destroyed the previous wooden shrine. The scenery around Covadonga Lake is wonderfully romantic.
The Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga in the municipality of Cangas de Onís is a complex with a holy tomb and a basilica that commemorates the Battle of Covadonga in 722 AD, the first major victory of the Christian forces in the Iberian Peninsula. The victory secured the independence of the Kingdom of Asturias and essentially ensured the survival of Christianity in northern Iberia. And because this victory marked the first step in the restoration of Christian rule in the Iberian peninsula, it’s fair to say that it’s where the Reconquista began.
