Asón Valley

The essentials of Asón Valley

  • • 70-metre Asón Waterfall in the Collados Natural Park
  • • Covalanas Caves (World Heritage) and Cullalvera in Ramales
  • • International Asón River canoe descent between Ramales and Ampuero
  • • Canyoning and caving in the natural park's limestone gorges
  • • Horseback rides along river meadows and stone villages
  • • 15 minutes from Laredo and the Bay of Santoña beaches
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Description

The Asón Valley is the natural corridor connecting the peaks of the Collados del Asón Natural Park with the Treto estuary, next to Laredo and Santoña. The River Asón is born in a spectacular 70-metre waterfall in the heart of the natural park and flows 50 kilometres through limestone gorges, ancient beech forests, stone villages and fertile meadows before reaching the Cantabrian Sea.

The upper valley, protected as a Natural Park, holds Cantabria's most vertical mountain terrain: hypogenic karst, griffon vultures, uncatalogued caves and high-mountain trails reaching 1,613 metres at the Punta del Caballo massif. This is where caving, canyoning and mountain hiking take place.

In the middle section, between Ramales de la Victoria and Ampuero, the valley opens up and the river gains volume. This is the zone of the international Asón River canoe descent, a sporting tradition spanning decades. Ramales is home to the prehistoric caves of Covalanas (World Heritage) and Cullalvera. Ampuero is known for its bull runs and as a starting point for horseback rides along the river meadows.

In the lower section, Limpias, Rasines and the Treto estuary complete the descent towards the coast. From here, Laredo, Santoña and the bay beaches are less than 15 minutes away. The Asón Valley is the perfect mountain and river complement for visitors to Cantabria's eastern coast.

Practical information

Everything you need to know for your visit to Asón Valley

How to get there

How to get there

By car Public transport
From Santander take the A-8 towards Bilbao and exit at Ramales de la Victoria (60 km, ~50 min). From there the CA-268 leads to Fuente las Varas, where free parking is available next to the visitor centre. From Bilbao the drive is 45 km via the A-8 towards Santander, exit Ampuero.

In this area

SantanderMunicipioTorrelavegaMunicipioPortugaleteMunicipioVillaescusaMunicipioSantillana del MarMunicipio
Area Information
Visitor centre at Fuente las Varas with a permanent karst exhibition. Free car park with capacity for 40 vehicles. The town of Ramales de la Victoria, 12 km away, offers accommodation, restaurants and full services.
Geography
Limestone massif with summits between 1,200 and 1,613 m. Hypogenic karst featuring springs, sinkholes and high-mountain depressions (jous). The Asón River rises from a spring at the base of the main cliff at 650 m altitude.
Flora & Fauna
Beech (Fagus sylvatica) and oak (Quercus robur) woodland in the valleys. Erica vagans heathland on the summits. Wildlife: roe deer, wild boar, otter, griffon vulture, Egyptian vulture, Schreibers' bat (Miniopterus schreibersii).

Things to do

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What to see

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Frequently Asked Questions

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The entire course of the River Asón from its source in the Collados Natural Park (70 m waterfall, mountains) to the Treto estuary near Laredo, passing through Ramales de la Victoria, Ampuero and Limpias.
Mountain hiking and waterfall trails in the natural park, caving, canyoning, kayak/canoe descent on the River Asón, horseback riding, visits to prehistoric caves (Covalanas, Cullalvera) and charming villages.
No. The lower valley (Ampuero, Limpias) is 15 minutes from Laredo and Santoña. Even Ramales de la Victoria, in the middle section, is only 30 minutes from the coast.
Spring for the waterfall at peak flow and caves. Summer for kayaking and hiking. Autumn for beech forests and autumn colours. Winter is cold in the upper valley.