Arnuero: Coastal Cliffs, Marshland and Cultural Heritage

On the Huellas Route, Arnuero combines a cultural landscape, holm oak forest and marshland with a selection of important civil and religious buildings belonging to the region’s cultural heritage. The circular route is less than 13 km long, presents no particular difficulties, is suitable for all groups and runs mostly along minor roads.

Nature

The Joyel Marsh is an estuary located mainly in Soano, in the municipality of Arnuero, and forms part of the Marismas de Santoña, Victoria y Joyel Nature Park. The Trasmiera Ecopark consists mainly of tidal marshlands inhabited by thousands of migratory birds.

Between the Rías de Quejo and Castellano, the Cliffs of Isla comprise rocky cliffs that rise more than 50 m above sea level in some sections; a route is easy to walk from either end. The mouth of the Campiazo River at the Ría de Castellano forms the natural boundary between Arnuero and Bareyo and has been designated by the European Union as a Site of Community Importance (SCI). Monte Cincho is designated as an integral protected area within the nature park and contains a remnant stand of holm oaks.

The Trasmiera Ecopark offers educational trails and a visitor centre providing information about the local industrial, landscape and natural heritage. The European Commission recognised it as a European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) for its sustainable tourism offering. Casa de las Mareas is the Ecopark’s main visitor reception centre and provides information for planning cultural and nature-based visits.

Trails

In the Joyel Marsh, visitors can take a self-guided circular walk from the car park on the CA-449. The viewpoint on Monte Cincho offers views stretching from the Cantabrian Mountains in the south to the coast between Santander and Bilbao. The Ría Castellano Route follows local roads and paths to the mouth of the estuary and Playa de la Arena beach.

The Camino de Santiago del Norte passes through part of the municipality of Arnuero; at the entrance near Castillo, the official route offers two alternatives. The circular route, self-guided walk, coastal route and pilgrim route differ in form and can be considered separately for personal planning.

Culture

The church of San Julián y Santa Basilisa de Isla houses an English Romantic-style organ, built around 1890, that is unique in Cantabria. The parish church is a protected cultural monument and is considered one of Cantabria’s outstanding examples of a hall church. It also contains a richly decorated polychrome high altar from the 17th century.

The Observatorio del Arte presents a didactic and interactive exhibition about how the craftsmen worked, as well as some of their significant works in Arnuero and elsewhere in Trasmiera and Spain. A medieval building originated in the 11th century, served as a pilgrims’ hospital for centuries and was restored as an inn on the Camino de Santiago del Norte.

At the Molino de Santa Olaja, a year-round guided tour was planned to explain its operation, the miller’s life and people’s relationship with the marsh through glazing, a scenographic presentation and audiovisual material.

More local pages: Voto, Vernejo, La Cueva, La Concha, Las Rozas De Valdearroyo, Villaescusa, San Vicente de la Barquera

To the main travel overview: Cantabria.