Discover Potes: River Trails, Culture and Orujo

The Camino Lebaniego runs through Potes between Cicera and Santo Toribio. In the historic centre, the Senda del Río begins next to the medieval San Cayetano Bridge and follows the right bank of the Quiviesa and Deva rivers.

Trails and nature

The Senda del Río passes through a riverside landscape with trout and waterfowl; otters can also occasionally be spotted there. Information boards explain the local fauna and flora. The Encinares y Praderas de Potes a Armaño route starts in Potes, is 8.8 kilometres long, climbs 255 metres and takes around three hours at an easy level of difficulty. It crosses Monte La Roja, a Mediterranean woodland area with holm oaks, junipers, strawberry trees and cork oaks.

A circular hiking trail on Monte Arabedes begins near Potes' public school and leads to a wooden viewpoint overlooking Potes. The Alcornocal Tolibes y Porcieda Valmayor route starts south of Potes on the N-621 national road. Viorna reaches an altitude of 1,095 metres. Potes and Liébana also offer various horse-riding routes through forests and villages with culture and tradition. Different route lengths, elevation gains, landscapes and cultural events provide useful points of reference when comparing travel dates and accommodation types for a holiday apartment in Potes.

Culture and history

Potes' old town is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest. The former Antigua Iglesia de San Vicente Mártir church is a protected heritage building with a construction history dating from the 14th to the 18th century. The Torre del Infantado is a 15th-century monument associated with Íñigo López de Mendoza, the Marqués de Santillana, and his descendants from the ducal House of Infantado. It houses a permanent exhibition about the life and work of Beato de Liébana, an eighth-century abbot.

The medieval Torre de Orejón de la Lama, dating from the 15th to the 16th century, bears the name Torre de Bedoya and currently houses exhibitions and events. The Ruta de los Escudos begins at the Centro de Estudios Lebaniegos, leads through the streets of Potes to houses with coats of arms and includes the identification of 24 coats of arms. The Casa de Cultura hosts temporary exhibitions, conferences, talks and courses throughout the year. The Centro de Estudios Lebaniegos organises temporary exhibitions, concerts, performing arts, literary events and conferences; it also houses a pilgrim assistance centre and Potes' municipal tourist information office.

Festivals and market

The Fiesta del Orujo takes place on the second weekend of November, with public distillation, tastings and a cultural programme. On Mondays, Potes has a traditional market where Orujo and other products can be purchased. A procession to Virgen de Valmayor, the patron saint of Potes, takes place every year on 15 August, departing from Potes and including a picnic; the building standing there dates from the 18th century.

Other places

La Ventona, Anaz, Valcaba, Bostronizo, Camaleño, Entrambasaguas, Valle De Villaverde and La Revilla

Getting around locally

Potes bus station is located at Calle Eduardo García de Enterría 30. In the vicinity of Potes, the Casa de la Naturaleza de Pesaguero provides information about local attractions and offers guided and self-guided tours in the region. It also provides interactive information about the biology and protection of the brown bear, as well as bear-related festivals.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cantabria.