Grúa walk and La Guía chapel

The Paseo de la Grúa follows the harbour's edge towards the mouth of the estuary. In the old days the brigantines that took emigrants to America left from here, and the walk keeps the air of that era, with its farín (small lighthouse), the Fonte del Cay, the sea views and an old shellfish tank turned into a natural swimming pool.

The Mingote panels

Along the walk there are six panels by the cartoonist and humorist Antonio Mingote that give a humorous synopsis of Ribadesella's history. Reading them all is part of the walk, and with children it is a good excuse to go from one to the next until the end, where the climb begins.

The climb to La Guía chapel

Almost at the end of the walk, a path of steps climbs to the 16th-century chapel of La Guía, at the top of Mount Corberu. Inside is the Virgen de Guía, patron saint of sailors, and alongside are some real cannons pointing at the horizon. The other way up is a path beside La Atalaya park, at the end of the Paseo del Muelle; you can go up by one and down by the other and close a loop.

What you see from the top

From the viewpoint you see the whole of Santa Marina beach, the mouth of the Sella and the estuary, Mount Somos and the Mofrechu. It is the best place to understand what the town is like: the harbour and old town on one side of the river and the promenade of villas on the other.

Duration and difficulty

The walk is flat and suitable for everyone; the climb to the chapel is steps, so with a pushchair you only get as far as the foot of the path. Between going, climbing and coming back, allow a good hour. It is free and can be done all year; in a north wind, wrap up at the top, because the mountain is exposed to the sea. In rain the steps are slippery: go up slowly. Dogs can go, on a lead.

Getting there

Start at the harbour, on the old-town side, a few minutes' walk from the centre. At the tourist office, on Paseo Princesa Letizia, they give you a map of the town.

How to combine it

Before or after, take a turn around the historic centre, restored and pedestrianised, with the Casa de los Ardines, the Prieto Cutre palace, now the town hall, and the church of Santa María Magdalena, with frescoes by the Uría Aza brothers. On Wednesdays there is a market, with origins in the 13th century. From the top you will see opposite Santa Marina beach and its villas, reached by crossing the bridge, and the Ardines massif, where the Tito Bustillo cave is.