Somo: Surf Reserve, Beaches and Coastal Trails

Established in 2012, Somo’s Surf Nature Reserve is the first in Spain and the second in Europe. It covers the coastal surf zone between Somo, Loredo, Langre and Galizano. The Centro de Surf de Somo houses the tourist information office and is the headquarters of the Cantabrian Surfing Federation.

The Paseo de las Estrellas del Surf promenade runs just a few metres from the beach, next to the Centro de Surf and its skate park. The promenade honours surfer Laura Revuelta as well as the pioneers of surfing at regional and national level.

Beaches and Water

Playa de Somo is used for sunbathing and walking. It has a 3,620-metre coastline; its coastal landscape includes dunes and wetlands, among other features. Surfers appreciate the waves at Playa de Somo, and there is also a surf school on the beach. The access points to Playa de Somo from the centre of Somo are the most frequently used.

El Puntal beach has more than 4,000 metres of sand and, together with the beaches of Somo and Loredo, forms a continuous beach system approximately 6,000 metres long. El Puntal is suitable for long walks along the shore. From Somo, the beach can be reached on foot or by boat from the jetties there. A maritime connection links Somo, Pedreña and Santander.

The different lengths and courses of the two routes can be compared when planning your day.

Getting Around

The El Monte de Arna route is a 3.5-kilometre circular trail of low difficulty that begins and ends at Travesía de Arna in Somo. It combines coastal and dune landscapes with a 60-hectare coastal pine forest.

Route 3, El Ribero y las Praderías, is 9.5 kilometres long, has a low difficulty level, begins on Calle El Ribero in Somo and ends at the church of Castanedo. In the southern part of the municipality, it follows the Miera River towards the Ría de Cubas and passes through green meadows in an agricultural area.

Other places: Galizano, Loredo, Suesa

Culture

The Santuario de Latas lies between Somo and Loredo; the present building dates from the 16th century. The patron saint’s festival of Nuestra Señora de la Virgen de Latas in Somo-Loredo includes, on the preceding Sunday, a maritime procession to Santander, a parade of decorated floats and Picayos dances.

The BARROS pottery workshop preserves the region’s ceramic tradition in a contemporary context. It occasionally organises activities that combine ceramics with visual arts, music and poetry. The municipal BARROS pottery school provides space for practical work with ceramics and for learning about the ceramic-making process.

To the higher-level travel overview: Castanedo.