In one sentence: the Sella descent starts in Arriondas (Asturias), on the bank of the river next to the Arriondas bridge — coordinates 43.3874223, -5.1866022. That is the official kilometre zero. Not Cangas de Onís, not Ribadesella: boarding is here.
If you are paddling the Sella with us, this is exactly where you board: the embarkation area next to the bridge, just a few minutes on foot from our facilities at Calle Juan Carlos I, 18 BAJO II (entrance via Aipol), 33540 Arriondas. In this guide we share the exact coordinates, how to reach the start step by step, and why so many visitors mix up Arriondas with Cangas de Onís or Ribadesella (and why it matters).
We have been taking the same phone call for 25 years: "hi, the descent leaves from Cangas, right?". The answer is always the same — Arriondas, next to the bridge. That is why we want to clear it up from the very first paragraph, with verifiable data and no decorative marketing. If you want to meet the team behind these facilities, we tell you about it on Aventura en el Sella.
Short answer: the Sella descent starts in Arriondas, next to the bridge
If you only have ten seconds, take this with you:
- Village: Arriondas (council of Parres, eastern Asturias).
- Physical point: bank of the Sella River, next to the Arriondas bridge, where the Piloña River flows into the Sella.
- GPS coordinates: 43.3874223, -5.1866022 (our facilities · boarding ramp a few metres away).
- Route kilometre: 0. From here you paddle downstream towards Toraño, Llovio and, optionally, Ribadesella.
It does not start in Cangas de Onís, it does not start in Ribadesella, it does not start in Oviedo or Gijón. Arriondas is kilometre zero, and every canoe operator with its own boarding ramp is concentrated in this village. There is a reason it is fondly known as "the capital of the canoes". If you want to use Arriondas as your base for the trip, we go deeper into that in Sella descent from Arriondas; here we stick to the exact boarding point and the route and map of the descent.
Exact GPS coordinates and map of the boarding point
If you are coming with sat-nav, these are the coordinates of our reception office in Arriondas (where you check in before crossing to the boarding car park):
43.3874223, -5.1866022
Copy and paste that figure into Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps. It will take you straight to Aventura en el Sella, at Calle Juan Carlos I, 18 BAJO II (entrance via Aipol), Arriondas. From the entrance to our facilities, the boarding point on the river is a short walk following the signs to the bridge.
In Google Maps just type "Aventura en el Sella": we are georeferenced with the exact pin. It is easier than memorising coordinates, and the pin is placed at the door we use to welcome clients.
The boarding point itself is set up on the riverbank, with a ramp down to the water, and it is where we hand you the canoe, paddles, life jackets and the watertight barrel before casting off. You do not need to carry the canoe: we take it down to the water for you.
How to reach the start of the Sella descent by car, train or coach
By car from the main cities in the north, the destination is always Arriondas (not Cangas de Onís or Ribadesella, even if they sit on your route):
- From Oviedo: A-64 + N-634 · ~50 minutes.
- From Gijón: A-8 + AS-260 · ~55 minutes.
- From Santander: A-8 + AS-114 · ~1 h 45 min.
- From León: AP-66 + A-64 · ~2 hours.
By train: the RENFE Arriondas station (FEVE narrow-gauge line Oviedo–Ribadesella–Santander) is 5-7 minutes on foot from the boarding point.
By coach: ALSA stops in Arriondas with connections from Oviedo, Gijón, Llanes and Ribadesella.
If you want the full breakdown of timetables, exact stops and alternative routes for groups, we have it set out in detail on our how to get there page.
Free parking and walking distance from our facilities
One of the questions you ask us most on WhatsApp and contact: "Where do I park?". Don't worry:
- Free parking for our clients for the duration of the activity.
- It is a few minutes on foot from the boarding ramp.
- You do not need to move it during the descent: we take care of the return transfer from the finish line by coach.
In August, especially the first weekend (Fiesta de las Piraguas / International Sella Descent), Arriondas fills up. If you are coming on those days, we recommend arriving 45 minutes before your booked time so you have a calm window to park. The rest of the summer it is usually no problem. If you want to understand which time slot is the most comfortable, we go into detail in the best time of day for the descent.
Arriondas, Cangas de Onís or Ribadesella: clearing up the most typical confusion
This is the number-one question among visitors who do not know the area. Let's go bit by bit:
- Arriondas — YES, the official starting point. Kilometre zero. The boarding ramps and canoe operators are here.
- Cangas de Onís — NO. A nearby tourist town famous for the Roman Bridge and as the gateway to the Lagos de Covadonga. It sits about 8 km from Arriondas upstream. You cannot paddle down from Cangas: the stretch between Cangas and Arriondas is not navigated commercially.
- Ribadesella — NO. The finish point (disembarkation) on the long version of the route. It is where the descent ends, not where it starts.
Myths to clear up quickly:
- "I'm going to do the Sella descent from Cangas de Onís by canoe" → that does not exist as an activity. What you can do from Cangas is walking along the riverbanks or visiting the river.
- "We start in Ribadesella and finish in Arriondas" → the other way round. The Sella flows from south to north; it rises in the Picos de Europa and meets the Cantabrian Sea. You paddle with the current from Arriondas downstream.
If you are staying in Cangas or Ribadesella, brilliant — just remember that on the day of the descent you have to travel to Arriondas to board. For accommodation options near kilometre zero we have a dedicated guide in where to stay near the Sella descent.
What happens on your day from the moment you arrive until you board the canoe
So you know exactly what to expect on the day:
- You arrive at our facilities (Calle Juan Carlos I, 18 BAJO II — entrance via Aipol). We welcome you, confirm the booking and hand out the kit: life jacket, paddle and watertight barrel for phone and keys.
- Short safety briefing: how to hold the paddle, what to do if the canoe tips (spoiler: nothing happens, the river is very calm along most of the route), signals with the instructors. Knowing how to swim is mandatory by law for all participants, including children — the life jacket is an aid, not a substitute.
- We walk over to the boarding point, a few minutes away. If you are bringing your dog, we fit them with their canine jacket at no extra cost (one dog per canoe in a K2 or K3; more dogs are spread across canoes; we do not run a 4-seater K4, so a group of four travels in two grouped canoes).
- You step into the canoe at the ramp down to the water, next to the Arriondas bridge. All canoes come with the standard factory backrest included (it is not adjustable, just sturdy and comfortable).
- The descent begins. From there, the river carries you. You set the pace: our two routes (Mini and Full) have different finish points, and at both we are waiting to bring you back to Arriondas by coach.
By order of the Confederación Hidrográfica del Cantábrico, no canoe can be on the water after that hour. Plan your boarding time with that in mind. If you are doing the Full route (4-5 h on the water), we recommend setting off before 1 pm. If you want the relaxed format, have a look at our Premium window from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm: open arrival, you turn up whenever you can within the window, no exact time to choose.
Prices from the boarding point (2026): €25 children aged 5 to 12 · €35 adults · pets free. Minimum age 5 years old and 1.15 m in height for safety. You have the full breakdown on prices and you can book your descent online with a real-time calendar. A prior booking is always recommended; same-day is possible if there is availability — give us a ring, drop us an email or WhatsApp us.
What you ask us most
- Where exactly does the Sella descent start?
In Arriondas (Asturias), on the bank of the Sella River next to the Arriondas bridge, also known as the Bridge of the Canoes (Puente de las Piraguas). The GPS coordinates are 43.3874223, -5.1866022. That point is the official kilometre zero of the tourist route and also of the International Sella Descent.
- Can the Sella descent start from Cangas de Onís?
No. Cangas de Onís sits upstream from Arriondas and the stretch in between is not navigated commercially. If you are staying in Cangas, you will need to travel to Arriondas (8 km, about 10-12 minutes by car) on the day of the descent.
- And can it start from Ribadesella?
No either. Ribadesella is the finish point on the long version of the route, not the start. The Sella flows from the Picos de Europa down to the sea, so you paddle with the current from Arriondas towards Ribadesella, never the other way round.
- How long does it take to reach the start of the Sella descent from Oviedo?
Roughly 50 minutes by car via the A-64 + N-634. By train (FEVE) or coach (ALSA) there is a direct connection to Arriondas. You have the full breakdown of every route on how to get there.
- Is there parking at the start of the Sella descent?
Yes. At Aventura en el Sella we offer free parking at the boarding point itself, located across the river from our reception office. 300 spaces · motorhomes welcome. After check-in at the office (Calle Juan Carlos I, 18 Bajo II) we tell you how to reach the car park; from there you do not need to move the car during the activity — we bring you back by coach from the finish line, straight to the same car park.
