Vigo – Leon – Oviedo by train. Galicia and Asturias.
This train journey between Vigo and Oviedo in north-western Spain was a very welcome surprise. I wasn’t expecting much. It was simply a way of getting between two highlights of the whole Around the World by Train journey (the train along the Douro Valley from Porto, and the FEVE train along the northern coast of Spain).
So I really wasn’t expecting anything more than just a good train ride.
I was to be very pleasantly surprised though.
This is a rather spectacular journey (especially the first part of the journey through Galicia). Here, the train follows the route of the powerful River Sil, which winds through this naturally-beautiful region.
And I use the word powerful very deliberately.
The river has been dammed in many places – to provide hydroelectric power.
So the journey, as it follows the river, becomes a series of dam – peaceful river – more energetic river flow – then another dam.
And, outside of the towns, you’ll see very little evidence of human activity, as the train follows the Rio Sil upstream.
I have included an article below to show you just how beautiful this area is. The article is a few years old now (from 2013), but is well worth reading. And those photographs!
It is necessary to change to another train at León to continue on to Oviedo.
And this second half of the journey is no-less spectacular. Sit back and enjoy views of the stunning scenery, as the train slowly winds its way through the jagged-peaked mountains of Asturias just west of the Los Picos de Europa National Park.
Web resources for the Vigo – Leon – Oviedo route:
Official Train Operator: www.renfe.com (English version)
Vineyards in the Clouds – Los Cañones de Sil, Galicia
Have you travelled between Vigo, Leon and Oviedo by train recently? Want to see your article here? Simply contact me on Twitter (@ataxiascot). Or via the contact form here.
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[photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org]
