As you continue onwards, the trail becomes a more gravel road and the descent gets noticeably more steep. Those views are still incredible! The way eventually leads into Lebeña village, a highlight of the Leíbana region and valley.

🥾 Cades – Lebeña | 15. 4 Miles / KM | + / – 7 Hours

🥾 Day 3 Option of Cicera – Lebeña | 5 Miles / KM | + / – 3 Hours

Lebeña

Lebeña has a water fountain and a cafe located near the church. A highlight of visiting Lebaña is visiting the Church of Santa Maria Lebeña. This Pre-Romanesque church was built in 925, but was built onto of a sacred monastery that sat here much before that.

This Pre-Romanesque church was built with the intent to house the remains of Saint Turibius. There is an interesting legend that claims that the counts and followers who tried to move his remains went blind and did not receive their sight back until they moved his relics back to the Monastery of Saint Toribio.

The beautiful church is designed in the Asturias style of pre- Romanesque and Mozarabic architectural styles. It did remind me of pre-Romansque churches near Oviedo of Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo.

Iglesia de Santa Maria Lebeña | Hours: Tues – Sat, 10:00 – 13:30 / 16:00 – 19:30, Open Sunday morning only, closed Mondays | Entrance Fee: 2€, check for discounts with credentials

Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to tour the interior as I walked through the village on a Monday. However, it’s still worth to walk around the exterior and marvel at the structure. Besides the actual church, the surrounding mountains are the perfect backdrop.

Near the church find bathrooms and a small cafe. Look for the fun little self-station, these seem to be popping up along the Camino Lebaniego route.

After that it’s a short skip to Allende, just take precaution crossing the road. There are signboards indicating danger. In the village there are again two routes, on that follows the Rio Robejo ad another that follows the road. It’s best to follow the Rio Robejo to Cabañes, which indicates only 2.1 Km.

Rio Robejo Route

I walked the River path which was fabulous. It traverses next to small waterfalls with fresh water pools and cuts through a forest. There is a split to head into Cabañes or continue further past the  the giant chestnut trees.

I took the latter route as it takes you to the outskirts of Cabañes and was closer to the Albergue I was sleeping at. Be careful as the bugs seemed to be pesky in the chestnut forest.

It’s a full but fantastic day to walk from Cades to Cabañes.