Somiedo·Spain
Photo: neusitas · Wikimedia Commons
Somiedo is the most reliable place in Western Europe to watch wild brown bears — from a distance, with a scope, as they feed on the far slopes in spring and autumn. Wolves, chamois and thatched brañas fill the rest.
In season: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · Peak: May, Oct
This is patient watching, not a guaranteed encounter: bears are wild and far, and a good guide with optics makes the difference between a dot and a memory. The walking between viewpoints is gentle.
Cantabrian brown bear from the valley viewpoints at dawn
Glacial lakes and chamois, the walking day here
Thatched shepherds' huts on the high pastures, wolves at dusk
The high point of the park, and eagles at eye level
Base in Pola de Somiedo and go out at first and last light. A local wildlife guide brings the scopes and knows which valleys the bears are working that week.
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