Is the Casa del Oso the same as the bear enclosure?

No. The enclosure (Fernanchín) is the semi-wild reserve where Molina lives, with free access from the viewpoint right beside the trail. The Casa del Oso is the interpretation centre in the village of Proaza, 1.5 km from the enclosure, with paid admission.

Does it take long to visit the Casa del Oso?

45 minutes to 1 hour for a standard visit. If there is a long audiovisual or a guided group, up to 1 h 30.

Is it worth it if you are already going to see Molina at the enclosure?

If you are travelling with children interested in animals, yes — it adds a lot of context. If you only want to see her and move on, you can skip it.

Are dogs allowed at the Casa del Oso?

Not inside. There is a waiting area outside. Check beforehand if you have a large dog.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Casa del Oso has adapted accessibility. Confirm at reception if any specific area is inaccessible.

Casa del Oso de Proaza: bear house & visitor guide

The Casa del Oso (Proaza Bear House) is the interpretation centre run by the Fundación Oso de Asturias in Proaza. It is the perfect complement before or after visiting Molina’s enclosure (1.5 km away) and rounds off a great day out on the Senda del Oso (Bear Trail). A 1-hour visit, suitable for children, with panels, audiovisuals and exhibits about the Cantabrian brown bear and its recovery.

This guide covers the essentials: what you will see, indicative prices, how to combine it with the enclosure, and why it pays off to stop here first if you are going to see Molina.

What you will see at the Casa del Oso

The visit is structured in three parts:

1. Interpretive panels The story of the Cantabrian brown bear: it was almost extinct in the 1980s (fewer than 70 individuals across Asturias, León and Cantabria) and today the population exceeds 350 individuals thanks to protection and species management.

2. Audiovisuals Short documentaries on bear behaviour, the recovery of the species and the story of Paca y Tola (the two cubs that arrived at the enclosure in 1996) and Molina (the current bear at the enclosure, rescued in 2013).

3. Exhibits and models Reproductions, footprints, tracks, the scale of an adult bear. Very visual — children get hooked.

Prices (indicative)

Adult: 3-5 €
Children 7-14: 2-3 €
Under 7: usually free
Groups: usual discount

Important: exact prices and opening hours change by season and according to the Fundación Oso’s specific arrangements. Always check the official website of the Fundación Oso de Asturias before going.

Typical opening hours

High season (Easter, summer, long weekends): open every day, mornings and afternoons.
Low season: reduced hours, closed on some days.
Mondays: usually closed (please confirm).

Visit duration: 45 min to 1 h. You can easily see it all in under 1 h 30.

Combining the Casa del Oso + Molina’s enclosure

The plan that works best:

Morning · Casa del Oso (centre of Proaza): get the context. You understand the bear, its biology, the history of the enclosure.
Lunch in Proaza (sidrería or restaurant in the main square).
Afternoon · Fernanchín enclosure viewpoint: see Molina in semi-wild conditions with all the context fresh in mind.

Total time for the plan: half a day / a full day with stops.

Combining with the Bear Trail by bike

Full-day plan:

10:00-11:30 · Casa del Oso (Proaza).
11:30 · Taxi or bus to Entrago (Teverga).
12:00 · Bike Entrago → Buyera (18 km downhill, 2 h).
14:30 · Lunch in Proaza as you pass through (or in Buyera if you have a packed lunch).
15:30 · Fernanchín enclosure viewpoint.
17:00 · Transfer back to Entrago.

It is packed but doable. If you have 2 days, you can split it comfortably.

How to get there

Location: centre of Proaza, next to the parish church.

By car: 35 min from Oviedo (A-63 + AS-228). Parking in the village. From the Bear Trail by bike: get off at km 14 from Entrago (Proaza village centre). 200 m from the trail. By bus: Autos Bimenes from Oviedo, stop in Proaza.

With children

Ages that enjoy it most: 6-12 years. The models, illustrated panels and audiovisuals work well.
Under 6: variable interest — depends on the child. Since the visit is short (45-60 min), it is rarely a problem.
Teenagers: if they like nature, they get hooked. If not, an express 30-min visit.

What children remember most: the scale of an adult bear (it can reach 1.80 m on its hind legs), the footprints and the names Paca, Tola and Molina.

Our tips

Go to the Casa del Oso BEFORE seeing the enclosure. The usual order is the other way round (enclosure first because it is free and you get to see Molina), but if you flip it, the visit to the enclosure takes on a different meaning. You know what you are looking at, why she is there, what she eats.

Ask whether there is a one-off activity or special guided visit. Sometimes there are workshops, talks or meetings with technicians from the recovery programme.

Book a bike to combine with the enclosure and the Casa del Oso

If you already have the plan in mind, you can book a bike in Entrago with no advance payment. Ask us about the return transfer and we will pick you up at the end of the day, so you do not have to ride back the way you came.

To understand Molina better before you go, read the story of Paca y Tola — the two cubs that arrived at the enclosure in 1996 and launched the programme that continues today with Molina.