Monte El Cincho is a limestone hill between the villages of Isla, Castillo, Arnuero and Soano, at the western edge of the Marismas de Santoña Natural Park. It combines natural, archaeological and scenic interest in a setting accessible to all ages.
Its greatest natural treasure is Cantabria's largest relict holm-oak forest: a Mediterranean-type ecosystem of holm oaks, strawberry trees and laurels surviving in an Atlantic climate zone—a site of exceptional scientific interest.
The summit preserves the remains of an Iron Age Cantabrian hillfort (castro), still awaiting full excavation. The name 'Cincho' derives from the Latin cingo (to encircle), referring to the defensive wall that surrounded the settlement.
The Senda del Monte Cincho is a 3 km circular trail through the forest, ending at a viewpoint reached via a stone tower with a wooden spiral staircase. Views span from Ajo and Isla to Santoña, Monte Buciero and the marshlands.
Free and open access, part of the Ecoparque de Trasmiera network.
