Natural Park of Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias

Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias Natural Park is a protected natural area in the Principality of Asturias, in northern Spain, established to safeguard the headwater regions of the Narcea and Ibias rivers. The park spans the territory of three municipalities — Cangas del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias — making it a large protected area in terms of administrative reach.

When was the park established?

The park was formally designated in 2002. At the time of its creation, it incorporated the already existing Muniellos biosphere reserve, an area that had previously held its own protective status due to its ecological value. A year later, in 2003, the Muniellos reserve itself was extended, further reinforcing the conservation coverage within the park's boundaries.

What does the park protect?

The main purpose behind the park's designation is the protection of the natural landscape found at the sources of two rivers that matter greatly to the wider region — the Narcea and the Ibias. Headwater areas carry particular ecological weight: it is here that water quality and the conditions for downstream ecosystems are largely determined, which is why protecting these source regions has significance well beyond the park's own borders.

Where exactly is the park located?

Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias Natural Park lies in Asturias, in the northern part of Spain — a region known for its mountainous, heavily forested terrain and numerous protected areas. The park's geographic coordinates place it at approximately 43.18°N, -6.55°W, situating it in the western part of Asturias, close to the boundaries with the neighboring regions of Castile and León and Galicia.

The fact that the park stretches across three separate municipalities — Cangas del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias — illustrates just how extensive the protected area is. This kind of administrative layout is typical of large natural parks in Spain, where the boundaries of a protected zone rarely align with a single municipal border, and are instead drawn according to natural criteria such as river basins or the continuity of ecosystems.

What is the Muniellos biosphere reserve?

The incorporation of the Muniellos biosphere reserve into the park's structure at the moment of its founding in 2002 was a key element in shaping this protected area. Biosphere reserve status is granted to areas of exceptional importance for biodiversity conservation, and the reserve's extension in 2003, just a year after the park itself was created, reflects the growing recognition of the natural value found in this part of Asturias.

Frequently asked questions

In which country and region is the park located? The park is located in Spain, in the Principality of Asturias, in the northern part of the country.

Which municipalities does the park cover? The park extends across three municipalities: Cangas del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias.

When was the park created? The park was designated in 2002.

Which rivers does the park protect? The park protects the headwater areas of the Narcea and Ibias rivers.

Are there other protected areas within the park's boundaries? Yes, the park contains the Muniellos biosphere reserve, which predated the park itself and was extended in 2003.