Category: What to do

ROUTE

Comillas’s municipal building (km 0) (20 metres): from the town centre take the road towards the beach. On your way you will find a sharp gradient to your left that takes you to an interesting Gothic construction.

Comillas’s cemetery (km 0.62) (25 metres): this consists of a walled construction that once was the town’s church. High up on one wall you will see the unmistakable statue of the Guardian angel, sculpted by Llimona. Turn right towards a roundabout. When you get there follow the roundabout until you come to the exit along the coast, then go uphill to Trasvía. Keep on the main road, passing the University and you will get to a building that once was the seaweed warehouse. Continue straight on and eventually you come up on a tarmac road near the hamlet of Trasvía, from where you will be able to see Oyambre.

Trasvía (Km 2.84) (60 metres) (15′): keep going left and you will reach a junction where there is a hotel. Pass the hotel and go downhill to your left. You will see the football ground beneath you. Cross the main road and you will be in a new district of recently built houses.

Rubárcena (Km 4.08) (35 metres): near the bus shelter there is a byway uphill that soon leads to an unsurfaced path. Follow it, you will get to a slope that faces west, which is connected to the road to Rioturbio, which passes near a small shrine and gets to the bridge that crosses the marshland.

The la Rabia lagoon (km 5.91) (3 metres): the flat road that crosses the marshland ends in the scattered hamlet of Rioturbio, which displays a fine collection of traditional houses.

Rioturbio (Km 7,21) (10 metres) (35′): You will cross the village centre and suddenly the tarmac road becomes a track. It is a gentle gradient that runs near the right bank of the river Rio Turbio. The track deepens gradually into the forest. After a climb to the left you will cross a small stream.

Bridge Bichurichas (Km 9.71) (40 metres): this is a bridge situated amongst oak trees. Go uphill through a track that becomes steeper when it gets into the woods of oak trees, beeches, chestnuts, holly trees, hazels, birches, etc. After climbing for a while you will come across a leisure area and a junction.

Turning for the hermitage of San Antonio (Km 11.76) (200 metres): at the junction take the right hand fork that descends gradually. Ignore the first exit to Caviedes and you will reach a beautiful spot where is a building made of sandstone.

Hermitage of San Antonio (Km 12,32) (185 metres) (1h. 20′): it is situated in a slope that faces west and it is surrounded by a leisure area. If you return to take the same path, you will keep on climbing to your right until you get to a junction where you should fork left. Cross over a small valley and you will reach a spot where there are tables as well as sculptures.

Viewpoint los Pintores Montañeses (Km 14.39) (245 metres): this viewpoint was constructed in honour of all the painters in Cantabria. This spellbinding spot is the best viewpoint to sight the oak trees in the forest, which are not usually found so close to the sea. The track continues uphill and ends in a big field near a cabin and a big watchtower

Turning for Ruiseñada (Km 15.65) (250 metres): now you are descending towards a spot where the landscape is dominated by oak trees and chestnuts, but which is less extensive than the wood near the stream Rio Turbio. You will come to a replanted area, full of interesting species such as eucalyptus and pines characterised by their rapid growth. You will eventually get to the base of the forest where you will have to cross a bridge.

Río del Mato (Km 18,30) (63 metres): the valley is characterised by its karst features where the waters flow underground. Cross another bridge and continue uphill through a sharp gradient that becomes gentler as it joins the tarmac road to the left, which in turn leads to a new suburb.

La Molina (Km 19,28) (110 metres): ride past this suburb but do not enter it. When you get to a small shrine turn right, cross the riverbed and climb the slope in order to reach the next group of houses.

La Citrera (km 19t96) (90 metres) (2h.): just before the ancient school there are two turnings to your right. Take the first concrete road. There is a gradient that becomes easier as it passes between the meadows, and then you will come to a junction where you should keep to the left near the eucalyptus. Ignore secondary paths and when you come to a bigger junction take the left turning. After a plain stretch there is another crossroad. Turn right at the crossroad and immediately you will reach the hermitage on the slope.

Hermitage of San Esteban (Km 22.59) (251 metres) (2 h. 20′): This emblematic spot of Monte Corona offers you beautiful sights of the western coast. Besides, it is surrounded by several leisure areas. Return to the crossroads, take the path to the left towards La Citrera, but this time fork left on the following junction and descend through the extensive wood of eucalyptus. Ignore several secondary paths until you get to a bigger junction where you should keep right towards a plain near the marshland.

Ría de la Rabia (Km 26.87) (10 metres) (2h. 35′): before you reach the edge of the marshlands take the right track. It is a sharp climb that becomes easier as it passes the meadows. It will take you to a new suburb located on the top of a slope.

Araos (Km 27.71) (85 m): once you have reached the tarmac byway, climb the slope between the houses, which will take you to another suburb part of Ruiseñada.

La Ventuca (Km 28.33) (85 metres): If you ignore all the secondary turnings you will easily get to a group of houses. Keep on the main road until you get to the byway that runs near the base of the valley.

Ruiseñada (Km 29,17) (40 metres) (2h. 50′): When you get to this junction, turn left to leave behind the majestic church of San Adrián. You will descend between houses. Fork right to leave the main road.

Turning for El Pisgu (Km 29.57) (25 metres): immediately cross the river Ensenada. It is a beautiful stretch which meanders between alders. Start to climb through a narrow byway between trees. You will pass by a spring called El Pisgu to get to a house and an interesting hermitage.

El Pisgu (Km 30.46) (60 metres): It is located beside the hermitage dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Leave the tarmac road to take a wide byway between bushes, ignoring the immediate tarmac road to the left. You will come to a gentle descent and then a steep climb, which you may find muddy. Continue uphill to your right towards Ruiseñada. After a sharp bend you come to the main road that leads to Comillas.

El Riguero (Km 31.53) (35 metres): now you just have to follow the main road amongst the houses to reach your starting point.

Town Hall (Km 32.34) (20 metres) (3h. 10′).

ROUTE

Rioturbio (10 metres): from the urban area the main road emerges onto a byway that rises gradually near the river Rio Turbio, between pastureland, the indigenous and replanted trees. If you keep on walking you will get to a junction where you will turn right, afterwards cross the bridge.

Bridge Bichurichas (40 metres) (km 2.4): this construction is situated near the oak trees of Monte Corona. Once you have crossed it, you will go deeper into the forest. The gradient is moderate enabling you to thus you will be able to enjoy the beauty of this outstanding forest, which is notable for its proximity to the coast and its oak trees, beeches, chestnuts, hazels, holly trees and birches. After a while, you come across a picnic area and a junction.

Junction (200 metres) (km 4.4): fork right, decend until you get to another junction. Then take the tarmac road to the left towards the town of Caviedes. On your way there is a beautiful hermitage made of sandstone and surrounded by a leisure area.

Hermitage of San Antonio (185 metres) (km 5) (1h. 30′): It lies between the trees in a slope that faces West. It is worthwhile to stop there just to enjoy its beauty. Go back to the junction in the kilometre 4.4, turn right and climb up the track that heads East . You will come to a crossroad, turn left between the pine trees and several scattered replanted breeches. Descend the gorge and then climb until you see the leisure area where there are some stone sculptures.

Viewpoint Los pintores montañeses (245 m.) (km. 7,1) (2h. 10′): This spot called Las Argayadas, was built in honour of the painters of the region. As it is located on a slope it has beautiful views of the gall oaks. Go uphill and fork left on the following junction, near the fire watchtower.

Fire watchtower (280 metres) (km 7.8): It is located in one of the top most hills of the forest. From there you can sight a more extensive area. Ignore the path that takes you to the watchtower. Instead, turn left and follow the tarmac road that descends between American oak trees. Eventually you get to a car park, follow straight upwards near the replanted larches, cypresses, pines and chestnuts and continue straight ahead until the next junction. Soon you will see another hermitage on a slope.

Hermitage of San Esteban (251 metres) (km 9.2) (2h. 50′): From this viewpoint is possible to sight almost all the western coast, although some of the trees on the south partially block the sight. In an ancient viewpoint are indicated the most significant places. Return to the crossroad and turn left through a track that descends first between chesnuts and later on amongst pines and eucalyptus. You will soon see a path to your right that leads to Ruiseñada, descend to your left, ignoring all the secondary byways and you will come to a gap (156m) in an area surrounded by eucaliptus,turn right. After a while you get to a flatter surface that is conected to the road near the bridge on the marshland.

The la Rabia lagoon (5 metres) (km 13.9) (3h. 50′): after a few metres you leave the forest and reach the marshland, continue going left and soon you will get to the starting point.

Rioturbio (10 metres) (km 15.4) (4 h. 15′).

ROUTE

Rioturbio (10 metres): Cross through the built up area to the end of the tarmac road where the byway, which goes up the meadows and the forest, begins. The path runs by the stream Rio Turbio, and the wood gradually dominates the landscape. Eventually you will reach a junction, next to a bridge over the river.

Bridge Bichurichas (40 metres) (km 2.2) (30′): It is situated near oak trees, and it is considered the most significant point in the Monte Corona forest. As well as oak trees you will be able to see beeches, holly trees, hazels, birches, chestnuts, etc. Before the bridge turn left to go round the eucalyptus. Going through a gorge you will get to a wider area where there is a junction.

The gorge (156 metres) (km 3.6): ignore the track that goes to San Esteban on your right, and turn left to descend between eucalyptuses until it comes to an open meadow. Ignore the secondary path and you will get to a plain that is connected to a narrow road near the Puente Republicano Bridge and the marshland.

The La Rabia Lagoon (5 metres)(km 6.8)(1h. 45′): if you keep on the left between the extensive vegetation of the marshland, and especially between the Baccaris Halimifolia, the predominant and colonizing bush, you finally return to the starting point.

Rioturbio (10 metres) (km 8,3)(2h. 10′).

ROUTE

Ruiseñada (40 m): Starting from the church of San Adrián, climb eastward along the road, passing but ignoring an exit road on the left. Fork right on the next turning and walk along the meadows, ignoring the paths on each side. This gradient will take you to a wonderful suburb situated on the top of a hill.

La Citrera (90 m) (km 0.7): Once you have left behind the abandoned building of the ancient school, get out of the town through the path to your right. You will go uphill along a tarmac road between oak trees and chestnuts. When the gradient becomes gentler the road emerges onto an unsurfaced path and along the meadows you will get to a junction beside an eucalyptus plantation. Turn left and go up the slope. Eventually, if you ignore the path on both sides you will take a wider path to you left between trees. You will walk straight forward along a plain that connects to a tarmac road, head right and upwards until you come across the slope where this hermitage lies.

Hermitage of San Esteban (251 m) (km 3.2) (50′): this is an ancient viewing point from which you will get a broad view of the coast as well as the mountain area, all of which are indicated. Even though some trees hamper our sight, the view is still spectacular. Nearby there are several picnic areas surrounded by the great variety of trees of this forest such as oaks, beeches, chestnuts, pine and fir trees, larches, cypresses, etc. Go back to the junction and go straight ahead on the tarmac road that rises up to a cabin and another watchtower.

The Fire watchtower and the cabin (280 metres)(km 4.6): both constructions are owned by the forest brigade of Cantabria. Leave those buildings behind and descend straight down through the narrow track that leads to the town of La Hayuela, another of the main entrances to Monte Corona. After approximately 100 metres turn left to take the walk way that descends along a field to go deeper into the wood of oaks, chestnuts, hazels, holly trees. The valley you are descending is situated before the hamlet of Canales, which is also part of the Monte Corona forest. There you will be able to see different species of indigenous and replanted trees. After a long descent you will get to the low part of this valley, then cross a bridge over a small stream.

Río del Mato (60 metres) (km 7.5): this waters flow through a “dead” valley. This is due to the limestone country the underground water flows through to finally emerge near Ruiseñada. Immediately you will come across a second bridge. The plain becomes a gradient and you will progressively get out of the forest to a meadow area. You will climb a more moderate slope this time and emerge onto a tarmac byway. Turn left and you will get soon to a small suburb.

La Molina (110 m) (km 8.4) (2h. 15′): This neighbourhood is notable for its traditional architectural collection but instead of crossing this urban area, pass this hamlet and turn right just beside a small shrine, then descend and cross over a river bed. Go uphill and you will immediately get to the other suburb that is located half way up the hill.

La Citrera (90 metres) (km 9.2): walk between the houses, and once you have passed the building of the ancient school, leave the village through the same street you took when you started this route. Descend through the meadows, ignoring the path on the right. Then turn left on the fork when you reach the fork, you will arrive at the church that was your starting point.

Ruiseñada (40 metres) (km 9.9) (2 h. 40′).

ROUTE

Town Hall (20 metres): From the village centre, head towards the La Rabia lagoon through the drive Paseo de Solatorre. You will leave behind the majestic constructions of the Sobrellano Palace and the Pontifical University. Pass the roundabout Dr Santiago García Castellón. The sidewalk emerges onto a cycling path and eventually you will get to a new suburb characterized by recently built houses.

Rubárcena (40 metres)(km 1): when you get to the shelter, turn immediately left, follow the road that leads to an unsurfaced path, away from the houses. Ignore the path to the left and carry on westwards. As the path descends it joins a tarmac road that ends in Rioturbio. If you look to your right you will see a small and beautiful shrine. Continue straight on through the curving lane and eventually you will reach the bridge that crosses the marshland, known as Puente Republicano.

The la Rabia lagoon (5 metres)(km 3)(45′): This narrow road runs between the extensive vegetation of the marshland. For some time the predominant species has been the Baccharis halimifolia, a bush from South America, which has colonised a great part of the area, displacing native flora and thereby altering the ecosystem. It is an almost flat area, so follow straight ahead, cross a bridge and you will arrive at Rioturbio.

Rioturbio (10 metres)(km 4.5)(1h. 10′): This little hamlet is part of Oyambre’s natural reserve and displays a fine collection of tradititional houses. It is a small neighbourhood that leads to the outstanding woods in the Monte Corona forest.

ROUTE

Town Hall (20 metres): Turn left at the crossroad and follow the sidewalk that runs near the road to Oyambre and San Vicente de la Barquera. This road called Paseo de Solatorre passes nearby the Sobrellano Palace. You will soon get to the roundabout named Dr Santiago Garcia Castellón, where the red-painted cycle path starts. Continue through this slight gradient beneath the majestic buildings of the Pontifical University. At your left there is a housing estate.

Rubárcena (40metres) (km 1): This is the highest point of this cycling path, from then on it gradually descends parallel to the main road amongst the meadows that dominate the landscape. Eventually you get to a new suburb.

La Rabia (15 metres) (km 2.2): It contains a few houses, which are all near the main road. Ignore the right hand fork signposted to Trasvía that takes you back to Comillas and do the same thing with the left hand fork that leads you to Rioturbio and Monte Corona. After a short stretch you get to the bridge that crosses the lagoon where there are usually several types of birds.

Ría de la Rabia(5 metres)(km 2.5)(45′): It is accepted as one of the most beautiful marshlands in Oyambre’s natural reserve as well as one of the entrances to the park from the village. This beautiful spot consists of an estuary interrupted by the dunes that line the beach of Oyambre.