The coasts of Spain;

May 30th, 2010

Cabo de Peñas – the northernmost point of Asturias

Al norte del norte por batiskafo.

Cabo de Peñas in Asturias is the second most northern point in Spain. A well marked trail runs along the rugged coast. The photo is by batiskafo on Flickr.

Unspoilt fishing village in Asturias

Lastres is an unpretentious and unspoilt fishing village in Asturias. This is an authentic working fishing village bursting with salty charm.Wonderful fresh fish is to be had at a restaurant at the harbour called El Puerto.

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A beautiful beach in Cabo de Gata

The Playa de Mónsul is one of the most beautiful beaches in Cabo de Gata. The beach is flanked by weird overhanging volcanic rocks, and there is a large mobile dune in the shape of a half-moon (technically a barchan dune) at the entrance to the beach.

Cabo de Gata is the best example of fossil vulcanism in the Iberian Peninsula. It was caused by the crashing together of the Eurasian and African plates during the Miocene.

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Blowholes of Asturias

There are a number of blowholes known as bufones along the Asturian coast, the best of which is perhaps the Bufones de Arenillas near the village of Puertas de Vidiago. Closeby is the similarly spectacular Bufón de Santiuste. Both of these blowholes are capable with the right tide of throwing up noisy shoots of water as high as 40 metres. They were formed by karstic and wave action. Bracing stuff. Continue reading

Vilán lighthouse

The lighthouse at Cape Vilán signals one of the most dangerous stretches along the treacherous Costa da Morte,  It is also one of the most beautiful and atmospheric places in Northern Spain, and a great spot for watching seabirds such as guillemots, shags and divers, particularly in winter. See also the nearby Cementario de los Ingleses where the crew of HMS Serpent were buried, after it sank off this coast in 1890.

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