WATERFALLS SPAIN: NORTHERN AREA, BY A LOCAL

There are so many waterfalls in Spain. Even if I have traveled many places in the world I think in Spain, specially in the North, we have more waterfalls per square meter than most of the places on this planet.

It rains a lot in North Spain the whole year and specially, in the cold seasons, so we can have sometimes tiny waterfalls all around falling onto the roads and making the Northern landscape a fascinating adventure for the eyes.

Of course this blog post is not about the tiny unexpected waterfalls you can find in the cold seasons but just a guide to help you find the most mesmerizing waterfalls in the North of Spain.

Be prepared to trek in the mud, I have done it, and I can tell you it is worth the hassle. Some of these waterfalls are pretty crowded in the Summer time as the North of Spain is becoming more of a popular tourism destination as the temperatures in the some of the Mediterranean coastal towns are registering temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius the last years. The landscapes here evoke mythological scenes and trekking to these waterfalls in North Spain is the perfect antidote against stress.

There are also some very spectacular waterfalls in other regions in Spain which visit you can combine with a stay in some of the best cities in Spain. If you are just visiting the Northern area spend at least one day in Bilbao.

If you are looking for “wild swims near me” when you are traveling North Spain you might want to consider reading this guide as some of these waterfalls are located close to natural pools where swimming in Summer time is possible.

I was born in North Spain and even if I have been living abroad for more than half of my life I come back very often to visit family and friends and I love visiting waterfalls all the time so I have been several times to the places that I am recommending on this post.

Getting to most of these places by public transport is not possible, that is why if you are planning to visit the Northern Spain area you should rent a car.

If you have any question do not hesitate to let me know in the comments.

Lamiña waterfalls

These are a set of playful waterfalls easily accessible with the kids and ideal for an after lunch walk. Although I would recommend to go very early morning for photography lovers.

The trek can be combined with having a day out for lunch in one of the many nice restaurants in Ruente. Having a nice lunch and go an burn with calories getting to the waterfalls.

The trek starts in Barcenillas and it is around 7 Km long. It is a very easy trek as all the way from Barcenillas up to Lamiña is a paved road. Once you get to the forest it is around 700 meters to the waterfalls.

The site can get pretty busy in Summertime so I highly recommend doing this trek in Winter or Autum time. Be ready to get your hiking boots all muddy but this is the price to pay to enjoy this gorgeous waterfalls in solitude.

There is no public transport to Barcenillas as to most of the best places in Cantabria so I recommend you to rent a car for your stay in this area so you will be able to enjoy the many natural wonders we have here.

Hike distance:

The total hike distance is 7 km, including visiting all the waterfalls.

Hike incline:

The hike incline is 100 meters

Hike difficulty:

This is a very easy hike when the weather is dry but pay attention during the rainy days as mud on the trails can make it very slippery.

Hike duration:

The hike duration is around 4 hours but if you are doing during Summer time and you are looking for wild swimming holes near me you will for sure want to stay around and take a swim or photos in the waterfalls.

How to get there:

From Santander take the highway direction Torrelavega and just almost at the very end take the exit Cabezon de la Sal.

Drive all the way to Cabezon de la Sal and in Cabezon de la Sal take the last roundabout to the left.

Follow the road to Barcenillas and stop at the village where there is free parking for your car.

Bolao waterfall

The Bolao waterfall is one of those special waterfalls that meets the sea. The ruins of an old water mill are located on one of the sides of the waterfall and make the landscape look quite peculiar. If you dare to go getting inside the mill is a very cool corner for a picture.

This waterfall is pretty close to Santillana del Mar and the hike is very short.I recommend having a meal in this beautiful historical city and go to visit the waterfall after lunch.

The hike starts in Cobreces. When you arrive in Cobreces from Santillana you will see a sign on the right hand side of the road indicating the way to “El Bolao” waterfall.

Hike distance:

The hike distance starting from Cobreces is approximately 4km but if you are short of time and are looking for a lazy visit you can park your car much closer to the waterfall and just hang around the area where some pretty impressive cliffs are also located.

Hike incline:

This trek has no incline

Hike difficulty:

This hike is very easy and can be done with little kids

Hike duration:

The hike is around one hour but plan some extra time if the weather is really good as lying around the around waterfall while observing the sea is pretty much an experience

How to get there:

On the Santander-Torrelavega high way take the exit Santillana del Mar, and once you pass Santillana del Mar after 7 km stop in Cobreces and take the exit to the right the Bolao cliff.

Asón birth waterfall

The Asón birth waterfall is the highest waterfall in Cantabria and a waterfall with a legend. According to the local people the waterfall is the hair of a fairy (Anjana). The fairy was very noisy so her sister, another Anjana, and she put a spell on her. Her hair became then the waterfall.

This is one of the most beautiful waterfall hikes in North Spain and the forest to the waterfall looks like extracted from a fairy tale. There is even a tree with hole that looks like the home of some gnomes.

The Asón hike starts in the village with the same name. When you go down to a river area you will see an indication with the way to the waterfall when crossing a bridge.

Check out this YouTube video about the trek. I have done it several times and this is a place where I can to relax when I come visiting my family.

Hike distance:

The hike distance is around 8.2 km way there an back.

Hike difficulty:

This is an easy hike although there are some rocks and you have to be careful when it has been raining.

Hike incline:

The Asón birth hike incline is around 450 meters

Hike duration:

The hike duration is 4.5 hours

Viaña waterfalls and the devil’s well

The devil’s well is one of the most beautiful and less known waterfalls in Cantabria. Do not confuse it with the Viaña waterfall in “Vega de Pas”. The trek starts in Viaña, Cabuérniga. It is a very small village in the mountains. You can leave the car near the river and there are signs to the start of the Trek.

I did this trek when it had been raining and the way was still muddy but it is still doable. The landscape and the sounds of nature during the trek are like a nature tranquilizer and there are many small and beautiful waterfalls along the trek.

It starts quite easy when you hike parallel to the river but it gets a bit difficult at the end when you are about to reach the “devil well”.

Hike distance:

The hike distance is approximately 10 km

Hike incline:

The incline is about 300 m

Hike duration:

It takes around 3 and half hours to do the trek but it could take longer as the landscape is quite amazing for photos

Hike difficulty:

The difficulty is moderate

How to get there:

From Santander you should take the highway to Cabezon de la Sal and once there take the direction to Barcenillas, pass Barcenillas and once in Renedo the Cabuerniga take left to Viana where the trek starts.

Cotero la Marruya

This is a very nice trek to do in Summer time as you can swim in some parts of the river.

It can also be done only partly from the “Engaña tunnels”. On the entrance to last tunnel there is a little path that goes down to a river and you do part of the trail from there.

Hike distance:

20 km

Hike incline:

1210 m

Hike duration:

7 h

Hike difficulty:

Moderate

How to get there:

This is trek starts from the Vega de Pas village.

La gándara waterfall

“La gandara” waterfall is located in “La gandara” village. It is one of the least known parts of Cantabria and it is just a small walk from the tourism office to the view point where you can see the waterfalls from a very strategic view point.

The best time to see the waterfall is at thaw as the waterfall will carry enough water to show all its splendor.

You can also walk to the village next door to see the waterfall from close. The village is almost deserted and most of the houses are empty at this moment.

Churrón de Borleña

El churron de Borleña is a very easy hike and one of those hidden jewels not many local people know. It is very suitable to be done with children.

The landscape to the waterfall is a forest and some mossy rocks.

The trek starts in Borleña at 8 km from Puente Viesgo.

Hike distance:

5 kms two ways

Hike duration:

2 hours

Hike incline:

70 meters

Hike difficulty:

Easy

La Mea waterfall

La Mea waterfall is not yet very well known waterfall and the bonus you get by exploring is visiting Puentedey. Puentedey is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, and it is built on top a natural bridge.

The village is simply spectacular and it has so many historical buildings you can visit.

From the Puentedey bridge to “La Mea waterfall” there are around 1,3 km that you can either do walking along the road in 20 minutes or you can do by car, taking the road direction Quintanilla de Valdebodres.

This is a very easy hike to do and suitable to be done with kids.

As you advance through the road on the left hand side you will find a very small parking where to leave the car and a sign to the waterfall.

From there to the waterfall there is a nice hiking trails 800 meters long with little elevation and an stunning landscape.

Hike distance:

0.8 km

Hike duration:

25 minutes

Hike incline:

80 meters

Hike difficulty:

Low