In a nutshell: Arriondas is far more than the starting point of the Sella descent — it is the ideal base for discovering eastern Asturias. We tell you what to do in the village and its surroundings, with the descent as the big plan of the day and plenty of ideas to round off the trip.
Arriondas (Les Arriondes), the main town of the council of Parres, is one of those Asturian villages that has everything within reach: the river, the mountains, fine food and an unbeatable location between the Picos de Europa and the coast. Many people come just to paddle the Sella and discover it is well worth staying to explore. Here is our guide, from the inside.
The Sella descent, the star activity
There is no getting around it: the number-one thing to do in Arriondas is paddle the Sella by canoe. The village is mile zero of the descent, so it is literally on your doorstep. You paddle calm water with the odd livelier stretch, surrounded by woodland and the scenery of the Picos, in a plan that wins over families, groups and couples alike.
- Two routes, same price: Mini (7 km, ~2h) and Complete (14.5 km, ~4h). You will find them on the route map and the timings in how long it takes.
- Suitable from 5 years old and 1.15 m. No experience needed: before setting off we give you a short lesson with a qualified instructor.
- Pets free with their canine life jacket. If you are coming as a family, take a look at the descent with kids.
Stroll around Arriondas: the village and the river
Before or after the descent, Arriondas invites you to wander at your own pace. The riverside walk along the Sella, the bridge over the river and the relaxed atmosphere of the centre make it a lovely place to stretch your legs, have a drink on a terrace and watch the canoes go by. It is a great plan for the afternoon, once you have showered and changed at our facilities.
Food and cider in Arriondas
Arriondas is a land of fine food. After a morning on the river, few things taste better than a cachopo (breaded veal), a fabada (bean stew) or some Asturian cheeses washed down with sidra (cider) at a village cider house. There are options to suit every taste and budget, from the set lunch to white-tablecloth dining.
During the Sella descent no alcohol is consumed (it is a safety rule, and the riverside bars along the route do not serve alcoholic drinks). The cider, the cachopo and the celebration are best left for when you finish, back in Arriondas, Cangas or Ribadesella. That way you enjoy the river with a clear head and the table with a proper appetite.
The Mirador del Fitu, a stone's throw away
If you have a car and a free afternoon, drive up to the Mirador del Fitu, in the Sierra del Sueve, about 15 minutes from Arriondas. From the top you get one of the most spectacular panoramas in Asturias: the Picos de Europa on one side and the Cantabrian Sea on the other. It is one of those places that stays with you, perfect at sunset.
Arriondas as a base: Covadonga, the Lakes, Ribadesella and the Picos
This is Arriondas's great trump card: from here, almost all of eastern Asturias is less than half an hour away. If you stay in the village, you can string plans together without long drives:
- Covadonga and the Lakes (~30 min): the sanctuary, the basilica and two glacial lakes deep in the National Park. Full plan in the Sella and the Lakes of Covadonga.
- Cangas de Onís (~10 min): its famous Roman bridge and the gateway to the Picos. If you are staying there, read the descent from Cangas de Onís.
- Ribadesella and the beaches (~20 min): the end of the descent, a seafront promenade and sand. More in what to do after the descent.
- Hiking in the Picos de Europa: routes for every level, a short drive away.
Getting there and getting around Arriondas
- Without a car: Arriondas has a bus station and a train station, and our base is 50 m from both. You arrive almost door to door from Oviedo, Gijón or Llanes.
- By car: well connected by the A-8 and the N-634. For the descent you have our free launch car park (300 spaces, motorhomes too).
- Route details from each city in how to get to Arriondas.
Booking your descent in Arriondas
The village's star activity is booked in a moment:
- Book via the website, WhatsApp, phone or email (not at the desk without notice). In high season, a few days ahead is best; out of season, you can often go the same day if there is space.
- Arrive between 10:30 and 12:30, the best window of the day. The river closes at 18:00 by rule of the Cantabrian Hydrographic Confederation.
- 2026 price: €35 for adults, €25 for children aged 5 to 12, pets free. All included: canoe, paddle, life jacket, transfer, parking, changing rooms and lockers.
We are the Arriondas team that welcomes you on the river; get to know us in about us, backed by 147 genuine reviews (4.5★).
Whether you come for the day or stay a week, Arriondas makes it easy: the river in the morning, the village and cider in the afternoon, and half of Asturias within easy reach. Book your Sella descent here and start with the star activity.
What you ask us most
- What is there to do in Arriondas?
The star activity is the Sella River canoe descent, which sets off from right here. You can also stroll through the village along the riverbank, eat in its cider houses, drive up to the nearby Mirador del Fitu, and use Arriondas as a base for Covadonga, the Lakes, Ribadesella and the Picos de Europa. Book your descent here.
- What is the main activity in Arriondas?
Without a doubt, the Sella descent. Arriondas is mile zero of the most famous river in Asturias: you paddle a stable canoe through woodland and calm water all the way to Ribadesella. It is suitable from 5 years old and 1.15 m, perfect for families and groups. More in the Sella descent from Arriondas.
- What is there to see near Arriondas?
Plenty, and all close by: the Mirador del Fitu (about 15 min away, with views over the Picos and the sea), Covadonga and the Lakes (around 30 min), Cangas de Onís and its Roman bridge (10 min), and Ribadesella with its beaches (20 min). We tell you all about it in the Sella and the Lakes of Covadonga and in what to do after the descent.
- Can you eat well in Arriondas?
Very well indeed. Arriondas is a land of fine Asturian cooking: cachopo (breaded veal), fabada (bean stew), cheeses and sidra (cider) in the village cider houses and restaurants. It is the perfect way to round off a morning on the river. (Remember that no alcohol is consumed during the descent; the cider comes afterwards, in town.)
- How much does the Sella descent from Arriondas cost?
€35 for adults and €25 for children aged 5 to 12, with pets free. It includes the canoe, paddle, life jacket, a short lesson with a qualified instructor, the return transfer, parking, changing rooms and lockers. Full breakdown in prices and what is included.
