Cades

Cades, a small and peaceful village nestled in the valley of the Nansa River, is one of the first stops on the Lebaniego Way for pilgrims departing from San Vicente de la Barquera. This place offers an immersion into rural and authentic Cantabria. The main attraction of Cades is its Ferrería, a beautifully preserved 18th-century forge that now functions as a center of interpretation, allowing visitors to discover traditional ironworking methods thanks to the power of water. For the walker, Cades is a haven of peace, a place to enjoy the sound of the river and green landscapes of the valley. The stage that reaches here is serene, wandering through meadows and small forests. Services in the village are basic, which reinforces the feeling of being on a less crowded and more introspective route. It's a stop that connects the pilgrim with the regional ethnographic history and allows for a restorative break before tackling the more mountainous stages that will bring them to Liébana's heart and Santo Toribio.