A quiet trip through the old railways in green Cantabria. A delightful escape from the crowded, noisy cities and a return for the simplicity and the genuineness of the old country towns
Due to its proximity to the sea and its green pastures, Cantabria in an incredible place for gastronomy, with both tasty and fresh fish and beef meat.
Top dishes in Cantabrian cuisine are anchovies preserved in salt, the 'rabas' (deep fried squid strips), and for the sweet lovers the incredible quesada pasiega and Pantorrillas de Reinosa.
The city of Santander has its own system of bicycle renting, designed for transportation around the Cantabrian capital, if you want to rent your bicycle for some days, there are plenty of stores and even some accomidation in the region that will love to help you with that.
Long ago a train linked the district of Pas with the Cantabrian coast. In the 70s, the route was canceled, and the old railway lines where transformed into the so-called Pas Greenway. The route runs through the lush beauty of the Pas valleys, known worldwide.
We propose a route of 23 kilometers, which connects the cities of Ontaneda and Sarón, one of the main towns of the region. To make both go and the return trip you may need all day, but there are plenty of resting areas and parks where to regain forces along the Greenway.
Our route begins in Ontaneda, where you can find some of oldest bakeries of sobaos and quesadas, which are delicious, tender, sweet buns, so do not forget take some for the trip! After this sweet start, head to the old train station of Ontaneda to start de Greenway.
The Greenway is mostly enabled for exclusive use by hikerss, bicycles and horses, although there are some stages that run through regional roads. We should be very cautious when reaching intersections or shared stages with motor vehicles. There are usually desserted routes, but just in case.
At the km 6, we will passthrough Santiurde of Toranzo,where you will see an impressive aqueduct that used to bring water to these interior populations in the Valley. In addition, you will pass through some iron bridge that now decorate this stunning path alongside the Pas river.
After 12 kilometers, you will see a nice wooden bridge that crosses the river just by the town of Corrobárceno, soon after,you will reach Puente Viesgo, whose old train station now houses a Museum of Prehistory.
This is a quiet and beautiful town, well known for its relaxing spa and its delicious chocolate with churros. The last stage is the 15 kilometers which join Puente Viesgo and Sharon, this path is fully accessible to wheelchairs.
Our next stop is in the village of La Penilla, whose name has nothing to do with realuty- Penilla means 'little sorrow' in Spanish-. As you go closer you will notice as the air begins to smell of chocolate! Since in this small town is located Nestle chocolate factory. The factory does not sell to genral public, though
If you travel with small children you always shorten the route. However, if you seek a little bit more of an adventure, you can continue about 11 kilometers, just to the city of Obregon, where the Greenway starts again, until you reach El Astillero, en of the Greenway just by the sea, where you can take the train to Santander with your bicycles in it.
