Spain’s Hidden Railway Gem: Oviedo to León
In this series on hidden rail gems, I will introduce you to relatively unknown yet highly scenic train rides. Today, let’s explore the railway line through the Cantabrian Mountains between Oviedo and León.
The Oviedo-León railway line
In the previous chapter of Hidden Rail Gems, we travelled on the Moselle railway in Germany — this time, we’re in Spain to take a train along the scenic railway line between Oviedo and León.
This railway line connects Spain’s Meseta Central — the Castilian plateau — with the coastal region of Asturias on the other side of the Cantabrian Mountains.
It is also known as the León–Gijón Railway (after its terminus on the coast) or simply as the Asturias Railway.
In the YouTube video below, you can get an impression of this scenic train journey!
Mountain pass
With 61 tunnels, 156 bridges, and numerous switchbacks, the railway line between Oviedo and León certainly has all the hallmarks of a classic scenic mountain railway.
When you start your trip in the Asturian capital of Oviedo, you’re in for a long climb up the mountain range, with some spectacular views from the train.
Between the station of La Cobertoria and the La Perruca Tunnel, the railway line climbs 927 metres in elevation.
At 1,270 metres (about 4,167 feet) above sea level, the La Perruca Tunnel is the highest point on the route.
Once the train emerges from the tunnel, it begins its descent towards Busdongo station.
However, as we are now on the Castilian plateau, the descent is not as steep as on the other side of the mountain range.
Since the 25-kilometre-long (about 15.5 miles) Pajares Base Tunnel opened in 2023, most trains between Oviedo and León now bypass the scenic railway line over the mountain pass.
However, there are still some services that take you across this scenic mountain railway!
Stunning mountain views from the Oviedo-León train. ©AndyBTravels
View from the train. ©AndyBTravels
Across the Cantabrian Mountains. ©AndyBTravels
One of the old railway stations along the line. ©AndyBTravels
View from the Oviedo-León train. ©AndyBTravels
Train services
Only one daily train service still uses the classic mountain railway line across the Pajares Pass, avoiding the new base tunnel.
This is the Regional train service, which takes 2 hours and 51 minutes to complete its journey between Oviedo and León.
Compared to other trains—such as the Alvia or high-speed AVE services—which take just 1 hour and 10 minutes by using the Pajares Base Tunnel, the old railway line over the Pajares Pass is obviously much slower, but it does offer far more impressive scenery!
If you ever travel by train from Madrid or León to cities in Asturias such as Oviedo and Gijón, it’s well worth taking this detour if you enjoy a scenic rail journey!
Check train times and book your ticket through the website of the Spanish national railway operator Renfe, or via Rail Europe.
Conclusion
The old, classic mountain railway between Oviedo and León is one of Spain’s most scenic lines and a true hidden gem.
Sadly, most train services between Oviedo and León bypass this line by using the newly opened Pajares Base Tunnel, but a single regional train still makes the long yet stunning journey across the mountain pass between Oviedo and León.
