We can already smell the EASTER and for weeks we have been asked about the plans in the area and in Cantabria.

The region of Cantabria is a treasure in the north of Spain, as in just 60 kilometres lengthwise we go from the coast to the high mountains, up to the Picos de Europa, with a diversity of landscapes that all our visitors like so much, as well as the wide range of tourist resources (nature, cultural, leisure, etc.).

The first and most important thing to do is to draw up an outline of the plans to be made during these days, always, of course, leaving time for improvisation, although the large number of tourists and journeys means that this is often complicated.

Of course, we always advise you to know in depth the Pasiegos Valleys known as «THE SECRET OF CANTABRIA» and the surroundings of the Spa of Puente Viesgo, known as «THE LITTLE SWITZERLAND».

First of all, it is necessary to book the Spa Treatments and Services, in order to be able to choose the times that best suit our tastes, as the capacity is limited both in the Water Temple and in the Cantabrian Circuit, as well as the treatments, all of which are subject to availability. Our THERMAL CHARTER is wide-ranging and meets all wellness and health needs, both individually and as a couple.

Secondly, to think about the tourist resources we are interested in visiting and enjoying. Puente Viesgo's location next to the main roads and in the centre of the region facilitates this task of getting to know and visiting the chosen destinations in Cantabria.

Next to the Spa we can find the VIA VERDE DEL PAS or better known as the cycle path, a 41 km route of an old railway that linked the coastal village of El Astillero with the famous Pasiego village of Alceda. This greenway stands out for its spectacular scenery, bordering the River Pas, with very little slope and that allows you to enjoy both the relaxation of a walk and the sport of running, cycling, .... and there is a bicycle rental company on the greenway itself. PAS BICYCLES  which offers classic or electric bicycles and it is advisable to book in advance.

Very close to this spa and within the Via Verde, the most important is the FISHERMEN'S PATH of the PAS, This is one of the main fishing grounds for Atlantic salmon in Spain. This path is about 800 metres from the spa, on the greenway, crossing the wooden footbridge that runs along the left bank of the river. This path should be taken with caution ensuring that footwear has a good grip.

The main tourist and artistic resource of Puente Viesgo is the Monte Castillo Rock Cave Complex, It stands out on the international scene as four of them have been declared World Heritage Sites by Unesco, being an international reference point and where there is the highest concentration of World Heritage caves of such high quality.

The caves are: El Castillo, Las Monedas, Las Chimeneas and La Pasiega, and it is possible to visit both the Cave of the Castle and of the Coins, Of course, reservations must be made in advance, as there is a limited number of seats available.

Two years ago, the ALBERTO DE MONACO ROCK ART CENTRE,  known as the C.A.R., where the visitor reception centre is located and where you can enjoy the permanent exhibition on Rock Art from 9:00 to 18:00 from Tuesday to Saturday with guided tours at 10:00, 11:30, 15:00 and 16:30 and on Sundays from 9:00 to 14:30 with guided tours at 11:00 and 12:30.

The visit to the Cueva del Castillo or Cueva de las Monedas lasts 50 minutes, (in each cave there are more than 200 steps, so visitors with mobility problems should take this into account) and should arrive 40 minutes before the visit, and it is necessary to book well in advance as the capacity for each visit is 7 people.

Tickets can be booked on site at Caves of Cantabria website, The booking centre 942.59.84.25 advises the latter where they will give full information on the available timetables.

The Public Relations Department also handles the booking of the same.

We always like to highlight the ethnographic heritage of the Pasiegos Valleys, highlighting the gastronomic resources, such as;

Discover the figure of the BREEDMOTHERS and the role they played in the Spanish royalty and high bourgeoisie and their petty MUSEUM OF THE HOUSEWIVES in Selaya.

And while you are there, you can taste the best sobaos and quesadas pasiegas.

At JOSELIN SOBAOS discover the origin of the typical Sobao Pasiego, our gastronomic product par excellence, and where they have the only Sobao Museum or a Sobao Workshop, in which for 2 hours you can learn how to prepare this gastronomic product from the professionals of this brand, which are held from Thursday to Sunday. It is important to note that capacity is limited and it is necessary to book in advance.

A nod to our highest quality cheesemakers, and there are many of them, with national and international awards, such as LA JARRADILLA CHEESE FACTORY  and even closer to the Spa, there is the TRES VALLES PASIEGOS CHEESE FACTORY.

And of course the well-known CABÁRCENO NATURE PARK One of the essential visits in the Pasiegos Valleys. Located just 15 kms from Puente Viesgo, this park is home to a large number of animals in semi-freedom and part of the park can be visited from the air thanks to the cable car. The Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno is neither a conventional zoo nor a natural park, it is a space naturalised by the hand of man, based on the primitive beauty of its karst landscape, on the 750 hectares of an old open-cast mine. The more than 20 km of roads The park is surrounded by a series of paths that lead to the different enclosures through marvellous gorges, peaceful lakes and suggestive rocky figures. Furthermore, throughout the park there are numerous parking areas and trails that allow us to discover places of great beauty.

Easter Week is the busiest time of the year, so it is necessary to arrive at the Park at around 09.00 hours as obtaining a ticket beforehand does not guarantee access to the Park (due to maximum capacity).

The Cantabrian Network for Rural Development, better known as the NATUREA, organises a series of Routes in different locations of the Pasiegos Valleys, being the way to discover natural spaces unknown to many and that with the help of a local guide will be the starting point to enjoy the nature of these valleys. There are several routes and for all of them it is necessary to book in advance and to be properly prepared with hiking shoes. When you confirm your booking, the meeting point will be indicated, and it is necessary to book in advance.

In the Public Relations Department of this Spa in Puente Viesgo we are in charge of informing you about the different tourist resources and we can inform you about how to purchase the corresponding tickets.

The entire team of the Gran Hotel y Balneario de Puente Viesgo is at your disposal to answer any questions you may have and to make your stay more comfortable during these special dates.

Iñaki Bedia Abio

Commercial, Marketing and PR Dept.

www.balneariodepuenteviesgo.com