Cabuerniga Valley, Saja Besaya Natural Park

Saja-Besaya Nature Reserve

Cantabria

The essence of the Cantabrian Mountains


In this Reserve we can find the majority of the characteristics that define the traditional landscape of the inland Cantabrian mountains.

There we come across large areas of forest and indigenous trees of great ecological worth, alternated with areas of hillside covered in scrub and meadows.The original ecosystem has been changed by the actions of man, the area is populated, thereby creating meadowland used for grazing from the original forest.Nonetheless, the site is still in very good condition and is a fine example of the symbiosis between man and the environment throughout the Cantabrian area.There are excellent oak grove, beech tree grove and Brañas (Asturian town) adorned with holly tree groves. The oak groves of Bárcena Mayor, beech groves of Villasuso de Cieza and the hazel groves of Coo are particularly interesting.The exceptional fauna includes the griffon vulture and the capercaillie, together with the Egyptian vulture, roe deer, wild boar, peregrine falcon and golden eagle. We can encounter otters in Saja.The presence of wolves and, in some cases, brown bears has also been noted.

Saja-Besaya Nature Reserve


Cabuérniga, Cantabria  (Cantabria)

Type of area:Natural Park Area:24,500 hectares Tel.:+34 608 065 846 (Centro de interpretación) Tel.:+34 942 049 438 Website:Saja-Besaya Nature Reserve Booking telephone number:+34 695594450

Cantabria (Cantabria):

  • Cabezón de la Sal
Useful information

What you need to know


  • Cultural information

    In the towns near the Reserve we can see numerous elements of monumental and artistic interest.

  • Environmental information

    Located inside Saja National Hunting Reserve, it contains large populations of indigenous trees, and sides dotted with scrub and meadowland. It extends between the middle and high basins of the rivers Saja and Besaya.

  • Information for visits

    The best access is via the roads C-625 and N-611.

What to do

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