Guide · Spain · Spring & late summer
A brown bear foraging on a green mountain slope in the early morning, far away but razor-sharp through the telescope: in Asturias, in northern Spain, you can see that from a roadside viewpoint. In the 1970s and 1980s only about 80 bears were left in the Cantabrian Mountains; today there are more than 350. This guide tells you where, when and how to see them best.
Short answer: go to the Somiedo or Fuentes del Narcea natural parks in Asturias. The best months are April to June and August to September; watch at sunrise or sunset from a viewpoint such as La Peral in Somiedo, with a telescope. A local guide gives you the best chance.
Where to see bears
| Area | Viewpoints | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Parque Natural de Somiedo | Mirador del Príncipe at La Peral, Mirador de Gúa, the viewpoint at Pola de Somiedo and the slopes of the Valle del Lago | La Peral is on the AS-227 with a car park; the best-known and busiest spot |
| Parque Natural de Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias | Viewpoints at Fonduveigas, Brañas d’Arriba and Furacón, and the forest edges near Connio | Quieter than Somiedo; home to the old-growth forests of Muniellos |
| Muniellos forest reserve | The ancient forest itself | Maximum 20 visitors a day, booking only |
| Senda del Oso, Proaza | A large enclosure with bears that can no longer live in the wild | Not wild bears, but a good place to see them up close if you have no luck in the wild |
Somiedo and Fuentes del Narcea are about an hour and a half’s drive apart. Many nature companies in both areas offer guided outings with telescopes; they know where the bears have been seen in recent days.
When to go
| Period | What you see |
|---|---|
| April – June | The best time. The bears have just emerged from their winter rest and graze on the open mountain slopes |
| July | Hot; the bears seek the shade of the forest during the day |
| August – September | Second good period: the bears feast on berries |
| October – November | Still a chance, as the bears look for chestnuts and beechnuts |
| December – March | Worst time: most bears are in their winter rest |
Time of day matters most. Bears are mainly active at dusk and dawn: be in place by sunrise, or come in the late afternoon and stay until dark. In the middle of a hot day you rarely see them.
How to watch without disturbing
- Watch from far away: 300 metres is the safe guideline. If the bear changes its behaviour, you are too close.
- Stay on paths and at viewpoints, keep quiet and don’t use lights.
- Never feed or follow a bear. Drones are banned without permission.
- Keep your dog on a lead.
- Unexpectedly close to a bear? Don’t run; back away slowly, don’t stare at it and give it room to leave.
What to bring
A telescope or strong binoculars are essential: you usually see bears at hundreds of metres to a few kilometres away. Bring warm clothes for the early morning, even in June, and something to sit on: waiting is part of it.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about bears in Asturias
How many bears live in Spain?
More than 350 brown bears live in the Cantabrian Mountains, most of them in Asturias. In the 1970s and 1980s there were only about 80. A small population also lives in the Pyrenees.
Where can you see bears in Asturias?
In Somiedo Natural Park, for example from the viewpoint at La Peral, and in Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias, including Fonduveigas and Brañas d’Arriba.
When is the best time to see bears?
From April to June and in August and September, at sunrise or sunset. In winter you rarely see them.
Do you need a guide?
It isn’t required, as the viewpoints are public. But a local guide knows where the bears have been seen recently and has good telescopes, which greatly improves your chances.
Are the bears dangerous?
Cantabrian bears are shy and avoid people. Keep your distance, never feed them and stay on the paths, and the risk is very small.
Read more about the brown bear in Spain and the Iberian ibex, and the wolf, which also lives in the Cantabrian Mountains. You’ll find all Spanish animals on the Spain page.
