Santoña walks

Monte Buciero, which rises to almost 400 m, is an ancient island that a fragile sandbar has connected to the Cantabrian coast. Separated by a few hundred metres from the long sandy strip that leads to Larédo, it watches the ebb and flow of the tide as it fills and empties the marshes of Santona. The town nestles in its shelter, and its port, one of the busiest in Spain, makes it the anchovy capital. The proposed route around this hill offers views over the marshes and the magnificent beaches that surround them, and connects the lighthouses that dot this rather rugged coastline.

Between Santander and Larédo, the Cantabrian coast alternates between impressive cliffs and rias with huge, very attractive beaches. The stretch of coastline between the Ria de Ajo and the Joyel marshes gives a good overview of this and offers the opportunity for a beautiful, physically demanding walk. And what a pleasure it is to enjoy the gentle beaches at each end.