ESW

We have three full days based near Potes, May 2013. There isn't much information in the guide books. I don't read Spanish and am finding the google translations of some of the websites imprenetrable.

We enjoy pottering and stopping off to explore small villages and go into the churches. Husband enjoys photographing the architecture. We'd also like to do some easier walking.

We are planning on a full day round Potes and Fuente Dé including Santo Toribio de Liébana and a trip on the cable car.

Another day we are planning to drive north, stopping to look at the church of Santa Maria in Lebeña, then through the Hermida gorge and then west for the funicular up to Bulnes, possibly driving as far as Treviso at the end of the road.What is this road like? If time allows we'll also visit Covadonga and Lagos Enol and Ercina.

The last day I was thinking of heading south east and exploring the villages off the CA184. This will include Aniezo (mills), Piasca (church of Santa Maria la Real), Ermita de Santa Teressa in San Felices de Castilleria (murals). If time allows we'd like to get as far as Cevera de Pisuerga before heading back to Potes.

I'd discounted going up to Cain for the Cares Gorge walk, because of the road. It looks very narrow and I don't think husband would be very happy driving it....

Is there any other 'must see' places during the three days that I've not found and which we ought to add to the list?

Robert2533

With only three days in the area, I'd spend the time exploring one of the most beautiful areas of the historic Liébana region without spending all day in the car. If you like to do a little walking, there are a number of excellent trails in the valley.

There are also some excellent restaurants, one of our favorites being El Oso in Cosgaya (www.hoteldeloso.com) where you can go out for a walk in the Picos in the late morning and be back in time for a late lunch.

lincasanova

That place looks fabulous, robert.

ESW

I'm a little confused by your reply Robert, as I thought we were spending most of our time exploring the Liébana area... What exactly do you mean when you say the historic Liébana region?

We don't want to spend all day in the car and I was deliberately trying to cut down on mileage. We are planning on plenty of stops to get out and wander round small villages and look at the churches.

Can you give me suggestions which valley trails to consider? I have ostoarthritis in my knees so anything involving a lot of climbing is out as are rough uneven surfaces.

yipper

Is the village of Comillas near where you are going? If so, it is a cute village with a wonderful Gaudi house that is interesting to see and tour.

ESW

Thanks for the suggestion. We were giving the coast a miss, however it might be a suitable place to stop and stretch are legs on the way to our next base.

ekscrunchy

Interested in cheese? You mgiht like to take an hour-long drive to Arena de Cabrales; you can visit a cheese cave and maybe find a cheesemaker, too.

Sorry this is not in English:

http://www.fundacioncabrales.com/cue...osicion-visita

ESW

I like the sound (or should I say taste) of this one. Do they have a shop?

lreynold1

I have walked from Santander to Potes and from Potes to Fuente De and beyond to Portilla de la Reina and Leon. It's part of a Camino de Santiago, called the Camino Lebaniego (to Potes) and the Camino Vadiniense (from Potes to Leon). There are well marked trails, and from Potes to Fuente De has some particularly nice stretches. Great mountain views, green tunnels of trees, rivers, etc. Problem is that they all involve a fair amount of up and down. I think the flattest terrain you'll find is once you get up to the top on the funicular ride from Fuente De.

I actually think that you have put a lot on your one day for Potes, Santo Toribio, and Fuente De, but you can play that by ear. A visit to the monastery of Santo Toribio should probably include a visit to some of the many little hermit chapels surrounding and above the monastery. Potes is a nice place for a few hours, and the exhibition in the tower is quite interesting -- it deals with illuminated manuscripts from the region and has some fantastic three D figures and lighting. And in Fuente De, you can easily spend hours hiking around, it's a beautiful spot.

And if you don't want to drive all the way to Arenas de Cabrales, the little village of Pido (almost adjacent to Espinama on the way to Fuente De) has several cheese makers. I found some local cheese in Espinama as well.

Robert2533

There is hardly any flat terrain in the Picos, but there are some fairly easy trails. You can find a lot of information at: www.liebanaypicosdeeuropa.com/index-i.htm

If you take the cable car to the top at Fuente Dé, there are a couple of trails, but they involve a few hours of trekking to get down the mountain. The view from the top is spectacular.

ESW

Thank you for your replies. I had a feeling that Potes and Fuente Dé was a 'heavy day' and was intending to flex it depending on what happened. I had rather discounted the little hermit cells around Santo Torbibio - instructions on the web aren't clear and I wasn't sure how easy the would be too find, or what walking conditions would be like. I have osteoarthritis in my knees so days of serious walking are past. Steep climbs or descents and rough, uneven paths can cause problems. We'll look out for the local cheese in Pido.

My intention was to walk from and back to the cable car, rather than attempting to trek down the mountain.

kja

I just discovered this thread and its many gems -- thanks one and all!