In one sentence: going down the Sella by canoe and heading up to Covadonga and its Lakes are the two most iconic plans in eastern Asturias, and they are right next to each other. We tell you how to combine them in a single getaway —in one day or two—, the real distances from Arriondas and a couple of honest tips so it all comes together without the rush.
Some people come to Asturias just to go down the Sella, and others just to see Covadonga. And then there are those of us who think that, since you are already here, it would be a shame not to put the two jewels of eastern Asturias together in the same trip. The good news is that they are so close they complement each other beautifully: water and adventure in the morning, mountains and emotion in the afternoon.
We organise the Sella descent from Arriondas. Covadonga and the Lakes you visit on your own, but we help you fit it all together. Here is the practical guide, with no hot air.
Why combine the Sella with Covadonga and the Lakes
They are two very different experiences, and that is exactly why they fit so well into one getaway: one gives you gentle thrills and laughter on the water; the other, silence, mountains and one of the most historic corners of Spain.
- The Sella descent: paddling a canoe down a clean river between Arriondas and Ribadesella, stopping at riverside bars and river beaches. Fun for families or groups, suitable for beginners.
- Covadonga: the Sanctuary, the Basilica and the Holy Cave with the Virgin, in the very heart of the Picos de Europa. A place full of symbolism and beauty.
- The Lakes (Enol and Ercina): two glacial lakes high up the mountain, with breathtaking views. The natural icing on the plan.
In a single weekend you take home river, mountains, history and very good food. It is hard to ask Asturias for more.
How to fit it in: one day or two
It depends on how much time you have and how relaxed you want to be. These are the two formulas that work best:
Option A · Everything in one day (intense but doable)
- Morning: the Sella descent. You arrive in Arriondas between 10:30 and 12:30, do the Mini route (7 km, ~2h) to leave yourself some leeway, and by early afternoon you are back and changed.
- Afternoon: you head up to Covadonga (Sanctuary, Basilica and Holy Cave). If you still have the energy and the time, you carry on to the Lakes, although to enjoy them at a relaxed pace it is better to leave them for another day.
Option B · Two days (the one we recommend)
- Day 1: the Sella descent with no rush. You can do the Complete route (14.5 km, ~4h), eat at a riverside bar and round off the afternoon in Arriondas or Ribadesella.
- Day 2: Covadonga and the Lakes with all the time in the world: Sanctuary in the morning, Lakes at midday, a good lunch in Cangas de Onís on the way back.
If you are coming as a family or want to savour each thing, go for the two days. The Sella descent is a full day in itself (with its return transfer, its change of clothes and its lunch), and the Lakes of Covadonga deserve to be done without watching the clock. Squeezing it all into one day is possible, but you end up rushing. You choose the pace; we help you line it up when you book.
Distances and how to get there · Arriondas, Cangas, Covadonga, Lakes
Everything is very close. Taking Arriondas as the base, where the descent begins:
- Arriondas → Cangas de Onís: ~8 km, about 10 minutes by car.
- Cangas de Onís → Covadonga: ~10 km, another 12-15 minutes climbing.
- Covadonga → Lakes (Enol and Ercina): ~12 km of winding mountain road, 20-25 minutes.
- Total Arriondas → Lakes: about 30 km and 40-45 minutes in all.
If you are coming without a car, remember that we are 50 m from the bus and train stations in Arriondas, very well connected with Oviedo, Gijón and Llanes. For getting to Arriondas you have all the detail in how to get there.
At Easter, in summer and on some long weekends, private-car access to the Lakes of Covadonga is restricted by the National Park: you have to go up on the official bus from Cangas de Onís or El Repelao. It is not our rule, but it is worth being clear about when planning the day. Outside those dates you can usually drive up. Always check the official information for the day before you go, because the dates and timetables change every season.
The river part: what the Sella descent is like
In case you have landed here looking for the Lakes and do not yet know the descent, here is the summary: you go down the Sella in a stable 2 or 3-seat canoe, at your own pace, through woodland scenery and calm waters with the odd livelier stretch. No experience is needed —before setting off we give you a short lesson with a qualified monitor— and it is suitable from 5 years old and 1.15 m.
- Two routes, same price: Mini (7 km, ~2h) or Complete (14.5 km, ~4h). You have them on the route map.
- Knowing how to swim is compulsory by law for all participants, children included; the life jacket (included) is a help, not a substitute.
- Pets free with their canine life jacket, which we provide.
- The river closes at 18:00 by order of the Confederación Hidrográfica del Cantábrico; that is why arrival is between 10:30 and 12:30.
If you want to go deeper, we tell you step by step in the Sella descent from Arriondas and in what to bring to the descent.
The combined plan with children and as a couple
- As a family. It is one of the best plans in Asturias with little ones: water on the one hand, mountains and the legend of Covadonga on the other. The descent is suitable from 5 years old and 1.15 m. More in Sella descent with children.
- As a couple. A calm river one day, mountains and Lakes the next: a perfectly rounded getaway to switch off, especially in spring and in September, when there are fewer people.
- With a dog. Your pet goes down the Sella free; at Covadonga and the Lakes always check the Park's rules on dogs before going up.
Booking your descent and lining up the getaway
The only thing you need to book with us is the Sella descent; Covadonga and the Lakes you visit freely. It is as easy as this:
- Book your descent by website, WhatsApp, phone or email (not at the desk without notice). In high season, better a few days ahead; outside it, the same day is often possible if there is a slot.
- Tell us you want to combine it with Covadonga and we will help you line up the day's timings.
- 2026 price: €35 adults, €25 children aged 5 to 12, pets free. It includes the canoe, paddle, life jacket, return transfer, parking, changing rooms and lockers. Detail in prices and what is included.
- Arrive between 10:30 and 12:30, the best window of the day, and you keep the afternoon free for the mountains.
We are the team from Arriondas who welcome you at the river; you can read about us in about us, and we are backed by 147 real reviews (4.5★). If you want to round off the getaway, take a look too at what to do after the descent.
River, mountains and a valley full of history, all within a handful of kilometres. It is hard to sum up what Asturias is any better. Book your Sella descent here and we will see you on the water.
What you ask us most
- Can you do the Sella descent and visit Covadonga on the same day?
Yes, easily. The Sella descent sets off from Arriondas, and Covadonga is about 20-25 minutes by car via Cangas de Onís. The formula that works best is to go down the river in the morning (arrival between 10:30 and 12:30) and head up to the Sanctuary of Covadonga in the afternoon. If you want to take in the Lakes at a relaxed pace, it is better to spread it over two days. Book your descent here.
- Do you sell a package that includes the Sella descent and the Lakes of Covadonga?
No. We organise the Sella descent by canoe; the visit to Covadonga and the Lakes you do on your own (they are freely accessible / separately managed). What we are very happy to do is point you in the right direction so the two things fit neatly into your getaway: timings, distances and how to get up to the Lakes. We tell you all about it when you book by WhatsApp, phone or email.
- How do you get up to the Lakes of Covadonga in high season?
On the busiest dates (Easter, summer and some long weekends) private-car access to the Lakes is restricted and you have to go up on the official bus from Cangas de Onís or El Repelao. It is a National Park rule, not ours, but it is worth knowing for your planning. Outside those dates you can usually drive up. Always check the official information for the day before you go.
- What is the distance between Arriondas and the Lakes of Covadonga?
From Arriondas (where the descent begins) to the Lakes of Covadonga it is about 30 km, around 40-45 minutes by car on a mountain road, passing through Cangas de Onís and the Sanctuary of Covadonga. Cangas is 10 minutes away and the Sanctuary about 20-25.
- Is it a good combined plan to do with children?
It is one of the best family plans in Asturias. The Sella descent is suitable from 5 years old and 1.15 m, and Covadonga and the Lakes make for a gentle outing that children love. If you go down the river in the morning and head up to the Lakes another day, you have a perfectly rounded mini break. More in Sella descent with children.
