Trasvía between Coast, Nature and Architecture

Trasvía begins with a path into the coastal landscape: the Balleneros de Trasvía route starts at the El Joyucu recreation area in Trasvía. It is easy, suitable for all age groups, approximately 6.00 kilometres long, and runs along paths and forest tracks. The starting point, approximate route length and surface already provide different points of reference for planning the day, without reducing the area to just one way of getting around.

Coast and Nature

The Oyambre Nature Reserve is a protected coastal area covering 5,700 hectares distributed across Comillas, San Vicente de la Barquera, Udías, Valdáliga and Val de San Vicente. Its habitats include cliffs, meadows, native forests, rías, and rocky and muddy intertidal zones; they are home to a diverse range of animal and plant life. The Balleneros de Trasvía route runs near Comillas on the northeastern edge of the Oyambre Nature Reserve and offers views of the eastern part of the Rías Occidentales SAC and the Oyambre Dune.

From the Trasvía viewpoint, you can see the Ría de La Rabia and Oyambre Beach. Trasvía’s location also provides a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area against the backdrop of the Picos de Europa.

Coastal Paths

Route 9: Ruta Costera is a 9-kilometre circular trail with an approximate walking time of two and a half hours and a low level of difficulty. At kilometre 6.8, it reaches the Iglesia de San Andrés, built in the 18th century; there is a fountain installation in the forecourt for refreshing yourself. The section through Trasvía runs along the coast between small meadows and planted pine groves, where small birds feed on seeds and insects.

The route can be travelled by mountain bike; because of the stairs, some sections between the Mirador de Santa Lucía and Punta de la Moira, as well as on a slight incline near Punta Cambarro, must be covered on foot. The length, approximate duration, level of difficulty and the stated combination of cycling and walking sections allow for an objective comparison of the two routes.

Architecture and History

The Ermita de San Andrés is a single-nave rectangular religious building with a semicircular-arched entrance. Its building complex includes a school building dating from 1894, constructed at the expense of the Marqués de Comillas. The chapel’s bell tower has a square floor plan, is divided into three sections and is crowned by a solid pyramidal stone spire.

Casa Olano was designed in 1957 by José A. Coderch de Sentmenat and M. Valls Gadea and adapts the International Style to regional conditions. Gerramolino is a house from the second half of the 19th century in the English Romantic-colonial style.

When comparing holiday apartments in Trasvía, check the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages. You can also compare the occupancy details and length of stay there with your own plans. The specific terms of the offer therefore stand alongside the local features described.

Other Places

Villaverde De Pontones, Comillas, La Revilla, Villapresente, Cohiño, Camaleño, Rada, Valmeo

Traditions and Regional Insights

The San Andrés festivities held in Trasvía from 30 November to 3 December 2023 included children’s games, theatre, musical performances, a verbena and karaoke. In 1993, a procedure was initiated to establish the route and define the protected surroundings of the Camino de Santiago de la Costa, also known as the Camino del Norte, through Cantabria. In the wider area around Trasvía, the Oyambre Nature Reserve contains an interpretation centre with a permanent exhibition on the park’s landscape and land-use units, as well as suitable optical equipment for observing native seabirds on site.

For the overarching travel overview: Cantabria.