Campoo and Valderredible. Embraced by the Ebro

Approximate distance: 80 km

Setting off from La Casona de los Güelitos towards Puente San Miguel, take the A-8 towards Torrelavega, then continue towards Reinosa until you reach Fontibre, where this route begins. From here, the journey takes you through Cervatos, Julióbriga, Arroyo, Montesclaros, Arroyal, Bárcena de Ebro, Villanueva de la Nía, Arroyuelos, and San Martín de Elines.

The regions of Campoo and Valderredible offer a landscape of remarkable natural beauty and historical richness. Ancient remains such as the Roman road and the ruins of Julióbriga coexist with more modern attractions like the Alto Campoo Ski Resort and water activities at the Ebro Reservoir.

Just a short distance from Reinosa, the capital of the Campoo region, lies Fontibre, the source of the Ebro River, the most voluminous river in Spain, and the starting point of this route.

Nearby is Retortillo, home to the ruins of Julióbriga, the most important Roman settlement in Cantabria. Here you can visit the Domus Interpretation Centre, which recreates a Roman house in great detail.

On the shores of the Ebro Reservoir, the largest body of freshwater in Cantabria, lies the village of Arroyo. A few kilometers away, perched on a hill, stands the peaceful Monastery of Montesclaros. Following the course of the Ebro River, and passing through Polientes, you will reach Arroyuelos, where you can visit a fascinating rock-hewn church, and then San Martín de Elines, home to an outstanding Romanesque collegiate church.

Despite being man-made, the Ebro Reservoir holds great natural and scenic value. Rich in fish, it is also an important site for birdlife, serving as a key stop on migratory routes. Its shallow waters provide rest and feeding grounds for many species, some of which winter and breed here.

The surrounding landscape, made up of gentle mountains, oak forests, and reforested Scots pine areas, adds to its beauty. Its calm waters also offer the perfect setting for water sports such as windsurfing, sailing, rowing, canoeing, and rafting.

A route where history, nature, and tranquility flow together along the course of the Ebro.