Sierra del Sueve

Sierra del Sueve
Panoramic view of Sierra del Sueve
Highest point
Peak	Picu Pienzu
Elevation	1,161 m (3,809 ft)
Dimensions
Length	25 km (16 mi) NE/SW
Width	9 km (5.6 mi) NW/SE
Geography
Location in Spain
Location	Asturias
Country	Spain
Range coordinates	43°25′30″N 5°16′00″W / 43.42500°N 5.26667°W / 43.42500; -5.26667Coordinates: 43°25′30″N 5°16′00″W / 43.42500°N 5.26667°W / 43.42500; -5.26667
Parent range	Cantabrian Mountains
Geology
Orogeny	Alpine orogeny
Age of rock	Carboniferous
Type of rock	Limestone

Sierra del Sueve
Protected Landscape
Protected Landscape Area of Sierra del Sueve
Panoramic view of Sierra del Sueve from atop El Fito.
Location of Protected Landscape Area of Sierra del Sueve in Asturias
Country	Spain
Area
• Total	210 km2 (80 sq mi)

The Sierra del Sueve is a limestone massif located close to the coast in the east-central area of Asturias, Spain. It is a northern foothill of the Cantabrian Mountains. The range is located in the municipalities of northeast Caravia, Colunga in the northwest, Piloña, Parres and Ribadesella to the east and south.

The Sierra del Sueve is calcareous. In the westernmost section, shales, limestone, and sandstone form smooth river valleys that contrast with the eastern section, which is dominated by quartzite. In the central section, the limestone range is the main relief. Sinkhole karst are a dominant geomorphological feature in the Sierra del Sueve.

There are two adjacent ranges, the Sueve whose highest peak is the Picu Pienzu at 1,161 metres (3,809 ft) above sea level, and the El Fito (Fitu), a small mountain, with a peak of the same name. These mostly consist of limestone and quartzite.

The climate is humid and rainy, with mild temperatures due to the proximity to the sea. At the summit, fog is abundant due to the sea effects. Wind is common.

The area is a protected landscape that includes with both the range and the coast. Covering an area of 210 square kilometres (81 sq mi), it is divided between the municipalities of Caravia, Colunga, Parres, Piloña, and Ribadesella.

The Sueve Range includes a Regional Hunting Reserve within its limits. Its proximity to the sea adds to its ecological value. Farming and mountain grazing areas for cows, goats, sheep, horses and ponies are also part of the landscape.

Though Sierra del Sueve manifests a high degree of deforestation, it retains some remnants of forest. La Biescona is a beech forest in the northern area of the range close to the coast where there are clumps of chestnut trees and the remains of pine and eucalyptus reforestation, scattered between areas of shrubland and meadows. The most notable forested area is at the northern end where the trees are clumped and dominated by holly groves and espinera while also containing other species such as ash, beech, birch, elm, hazel, maple, yew, Wild Pear and brush.