Discover Ampuero: Hiking Trails and Cultural Heritage

If you are looking for a hotel in Ampuero, hiking trails, cultural sites and festival traditions provide practical starting points for planning your trip. The routes pass through varied landscapes; historic buildings and events offer further perspectives on the area.

Hiking routes through river landscapes and woodland

The Valle de Udalla route follows the riverbank, passing meadows and hamlets before reaching the oak grove of Tocornedo. It also passes through the very well-preserved native beech forest of Rugrande. Along the route, open meadows, small settlements and stretches of woodland alternate. If you choose a route based on its landscape features, Udalla offers a combination of riverbank, pastureland and woodland.

The route through the Sierra de Breñas to Pico Fuentes starts at the road beside the centuries-old oak grove at the La Bien Aparecida sanctuary. It crosses meadows and a former dense pine forest, passes the Pico Negro area and a beech forest, and eventually reaches the 548-metre-high Pico Fuentes. Along the way, there are views of Ampuero, Marrón and Limpias. In contrast, this route focuses on the summit and the named viewpoints, while the Valle route follows the riverbank and passes the Tocornedo oak grove. Trail conditions may change; check the latest conditions before setting out.

Cultural sites and planning your visit

In 1994, the Torre Mágica de Espina was recognized as a cultural asset of interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the Monument category. Together with the entrance portal and the restored Molino de Mizcardón, also known as Santiago, it forms a historic-artistic complex. The Torre Mágica de Espina Museum is open seasonally; visits must be booked through the Ampuero Tourist Office. The office is located in the Casa de Cultura, C/ Melchor Torío s/n. Take the seasonal opening schedule into account and book your visit through the office.

The La Bien Aparecida sanctuary is located in Somahoz, within the municipality of Ampuero. The present-day sanctuary was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style. The Virgen Bien Aparecida is the patron saint of the Diocese of Santander and the Autonomous Community of Cantabria. The Autonomous Community’s holiday is celebrated every year on September 15; the date is also the religious feast day of the Virgen Bien Aparecida. This means that regional and religious traditions coincide on this date.

Events in Ampuero

At the Descenso Internacional del Río Asón, paddlers from different places take on the river’s current. Cultural activities, guided tours and exhibitions take place in Ampuero throughout the day during the event. If you would like to plan your visit around it, check the dates in advance.

The Encierros de Ampuero are also part of the area’s festival tradition. They hold the title Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional, meaning a festival of national tourist interest, and have been held continuously since 1941. Today, the festival includes three runs in which young people run in front of a herd of young bulls and draught oxen. It is also advisable to check the dates of this event before your trip.

Natural surroundings

A cave is located in a Cantabrian holm oak forest in the district of Solamaza. The forest is designated a Site of Community Importance because of its high natural and landscape value. Fishing and canoeing are two activities associated with Ampuero’s natural surroundings. Check before your trip whether each activity is available locally.

Discover more destinations: Medio Cudeyo, Gibaja, Ibio, Torrelavega, Salces, Cotillo, Campoo De Yuso, Argomilla.

Return to the main travel overview: Cantabria.