Whether travelling the Camino de Santiago or exploring Green Spain, Cantabria is a region you have to visit. Journey back in time through its prehistoric caves, or explore places where nature reigns supreme, such as the Pas Valley in the Valles Pasiegos, the redwood forest, the El Soplao cave and the many nature reserves waiting for you to explore.
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Picos de Europa National Park
The Picos de Europa National Park spreads through Leon, Asturias and Cantabria. The Cantabrian section of the National Park is home to La Hermida, the largest gorge in the country. Nearby you will find the Church of Santa María de Lebeña. And if you need to relax after a long route, what could be better than visiting the La Hermida spa.The Camaleño valley is home to the Parador de Fuente Dé, which has a cable car that rises to more than 1,800 metres in the Picos de Europa. You can also take in the views of Naranjo de Bulnes, one of the most emblematic peaks in this National Park. And why not end the day by dining in one of the restaurants in the picturesque village of Potes, which also offers accommodation where you can spend the night.
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Cabárceno Natural Park
The Cabárceno nature reserve in Obregón keeps human involvement in the life cycle of its animals to a minimum, so you can watch them behaving in a very similar way to how they would act in the wild.The nature reserve has a parking area, picnic areas, viewing points and other areas for recreational activities, as well as a magnificent reptilarium and an environmental classroom.You can tour its natural areas by car, on foot or even by cable car! However you visit, the 20-kilometre tour gives you the opportunity to discover more than a hundred species from various continents. These include a number of endangered species, such as the Grévy's zebra, the African elephant and the white rhino. The park offers a day of enjoyment for the whole family while learning about the animal world.
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Source of the river Ebro
The largest river in Spain, the Ebro rises in the village of Fontibre, in the Campoo valley. Just six kilometres away is a village surrounded by mountains, Reinosa, from where you can start the route to the source of the Ebro. You can also enjoy the snow at the Alto Campoo ski resort. You cannot miss the path to the Ebro as it is very well signposted. There is an information booth if you have any questions. You can also come by car and stop in the car park to start your route through the park. The paths through this natural area will guide you to the source of the river, watched over by the statue of the Virgen del Pilar.
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Altamira cave
The medieval town of Santillana del Mar is a true relic wherever you look. In the town, you can stroll its cobbled streets, studded with guard towers and Renaissance palaces. It is surrounded by enchanting landscapes, which are home to the legendary paintings at the Altamira Cave World Heritage Site.This cave is a magnificent example of prehistoric cave painting, with images dating from 14,000 ago. The cave was divided into a vestibule, a gallery and a side room. Access is now restricted, but you can find out more by visiting the Altamira Museum in Santillana del Mar.
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