Guided bivouac in Somiedo Natural Park

A night sleeping under the open sky in the heart of Somiedo Natural Park, with a guide who knows the spots: clear skies, the sounds of nocturnal wildlife and sunrise in the mountains. Somiedo Experience, the same local company that organises the bear watching, offers it as a guided bivouac: no tents are used, you sleep in a sleeping bag and bivvy bag under the stars.

What the outing is like

You meet at 16:30 in Pola de Somiedo, next to the pharmacy. From there you follow the guides in your own car along paved mountain roads to the starting point. On foot you do about three hours of interpretive route, in which the guide explains the park's fauna and flora and you look for wildlife with binoculars and a telescope. You have dinner outdoors, sleep at the chosen spot and in the morning have breakfast in the park, with some free time before returning. The return to Pola de Somiedo is at about 14:00 the next day. The departure time may shift with sunrise and sunset depending on the season.

What is included and what it costs

It costs €150 per person, VAT included. It includes the guide, the interpretive route, binoculars and telescopes, a headtorch and all the sleeping equipment: sleeping bag, bivvy bag, mat, pillow and sheet. Also dinner and breakfast, and accident insurance. If you have allergies or there is something you do not eat, say so when you book.

Days, groups and age

They go out on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The minimum age is 12. On group size the website itself gives two different figures, 3 to 8 people in one section and 2 to 6 in the FAQ, with a minimum of three: confirm when you book. They recommend doing it in the milder months, because mountain weather changes quickly.

What to bring

Comfortable clothing and footwear for walking on tracks and paths, and a proper warm layer even in August: hat, gloves and a fleece or a down jacket. At night and at dawn, keeping still in the mountains, it is cold.

How to book

By email, at [email protected], stating the activity, the date and the number of people, or on 657 081 953. Payment is in advance by bank transfer or in cash on the day.

If you stay before or after in Pola de Somiedo, you have the Castillo del Alba hotel and the Casa Miño hotel a few steps from the meeting point.