San Vicente de la Barquera to Cades

The Vadiniense Route starts in the stunning coastal village of San Vicente de la Barquera, linking the Camino del Norte with the heart of the Picos de Europa. This first day leaves the coast to venture into the interior valleys of Cantabria.

The route follows for the most part along the course of the Nansa River, one of the best preserved in the region. The landscape is of extraordinary beauty, a mosaic of green meadows, oak and beech forests, and small traditional villages. The profile of the stage is undulating, a continuous rise and fall that, without being extreme, requires constant effort.

The route passes through localities such as Hortigal and enjoys magnificent views of the valley. It's an episode to enjoy nature in its purest form and the tranquility of a very little-traveled route. The feeling of walking on an old and authentic path is very intense.

The final day ends in the small village of Cades. Here stands out an ancient ironworks from the 18th century, now converted into a museum, which shows the importance of iron industry in this area. Cades, with its rural atmosphere and idyllic surroundings, is the perfect place for a restorative break before continuing on the route to Liébana.