The range forms the boundary between the autonomous communities of Galicia and Castile and León.

[1] This area of Spain contains many isolated rural communities that were largely cut off from the outside world until roads were built in the mid 20th century.

The most significant element of the whole architecture of the area is the palloza or casa teito, stone buildings of ancient origin, with a circular or elliptical plan.

Sierra de los Ancares is the name of a Site of Community Importance in the province of León.

[2] Os Ancares Lucenses y Montes de Cervantes, Navia y Becerrea was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2006.