Nansa Valley

The essentials of Nansa Valley

  • • River Nansa: valley axis with 10 km Riverside Path along the water
  • • Cades Iron Forge: the only working visitable forge in Cantabria
  • • Tudanca: National Historic-Artistic Site with Cossio house-museum
  • • La Cohilla Reservoir: 116m arch dam with spectacular viewpoint
  • • Native oak and beech forests with intact stone villages
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Description

The Nansa Valley is a mountain territory in western Cantabria following the River Nansa from Pena Labra to the Tina Menor estuary. Declared Cultural Heritage of Cantabria, this valley forms a comarca of low population density, native oak and beech forests, and stone villages frozen in time.

The River Nansa connects everything: from the La Cohilla Reservoir in Polaciones, it flows through Tudanca, Rionansa and Herrerias, reaching the sea near Pesues at one of the most beautiful estuaries in northern Spain. Along its course, the 10 km Nansa Riverside Path runs beside the water.

The valley heritage is diverse: the Cades Iron Forge (only visitable forge in Cantabria), the Casona de Tudanca (Historic-Artistic Site with Cossio library), El Soplao Cave and dozens of villages where mountain architecture remains intact.

Practical information

Everything you need to know for your visit to Nansa Valley

How to get there

How to get there

By car Public transport

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Frequently Asked Questions

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By car via CA-280 from Puentenansa towards Polaciones (south) or CA-181 towards Pesues (north). The 10 km Riverside Path is walked along the river.
Tudanca (Historic Site), Cosio, Puentenansa, Cades (iron forge) and Pesues (river mouth). Each has its own character.
Spring (intense greens) and autumn (forest colours). Summer pleasant but busier.
Hiking along the Riverside Path, mountain routes to Cueto Forcada and Pena Labra, El Soplao Cave at the valley gates.