The Protected Landscape of the East Coast of Asturias is an area of 4,666 hectares that encompasses several of the most important geological and tourist attractions in northern Spain. The most popular site in this amazing environment is Gulpiyuri Beach.
This strip on the east coast of Asturias stretches between the Nueva River and the Tina Mayor Estuary, in the concejos of Llanes and Ribadedeva, respectively. It occupies some 30 kilometers of coastline formed by an elevated abrasion platform and limestone, featuring all kinds of cliffs, coves, beaches and islets. The water and wind have created an interesting landscape over a good part of the east coast of Asturias modeled in the shape of eye-catching rock structures. Underground currents have a special protagonism here. Water passes under the rock of the east coast through numerous caves and chasms to emerge violently, giving rise to spectacular streams up to 20 meters high.
The best examples of this phenomenon are the natural monuments of Santiuste and Arenillas. The waters create beaches that are heavily visited during the summer and are wonderful places for swimming. The best-known one is Gulpiyuri Beach and Cobijeru Beach is also popular. Both are protected landscapes and have been declared natural monuments. Most of the vegetation that makes up the landscape of the east coast is composed of meadows and farmland; there is a holm oak forest in certain parts of the elevated areas and scrubland formations (heather, wild olive trees and gorse) on the cliffs. The scarce vegetation of the area is not very conducive to settlements of mammal species. On the other hand, the local bird life enjoys considerable populations of European shags, storm petrels, yellow-legged gulls, little egrets, mallards and water rails.
There are several routes and paths for walking tours (and some for biking) of different elements of the landscape of the east coast of Asturias, including its cliffs, beaches and islets.
The towns of Llanes and Colombres are the main centers of population of the protected landscape of the east coast of Asturias. The main access to the coast is from highway N-634, which in turn marks its southern boundary.