Natural Parks in Cantabria

Saja-Besaya Natural Park

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The Saja-Besaya Natural Park
  • Region: Cantabria
  • Local towns and villages: Bárcena Mayor, Arenas de Iguña, Cabuérniga, Cieza, Hermandad de Campoo de Suso, Ruente and Los Tojos
  • Declared a Natural Park: 1988
  • Park surface area: 23,932 hectares.

Points of interest

The Saja-Besaya Natural Park is located in an area between the hydrographic basins of the Saja and Besaya rivers extending from Monte Río los Vados in the extreme north to the Fuentes-Palombera and Sierra del Cordel (Campoo) mountains in the south. The largest protected area in Cantabria, the entire park is also integrated into the Saja National Hunting Reserve .

The Saja-Besaya Natural Park is located in an area between the hydrographic basins of the Saja and Besaya rivers extending from Monte Río los Vados in the extreme north to the Fuentes-Palombera and Sierra del Cordel (Campoo) mountains in the south

The only urban area located within the natural park boundaries is Bárcena Mayor, an ancient town and a superb example of mountain architecture.

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Oyambre Natural Park

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Oyambre Natural Park
  • Region: Cantabria
  • Local towns and villages: Comillas, San Vicente de la Barquera, Udías, Valdáliga and Val de San Vicente
  • Declared a Natural Park: 1988.
  • Park surface area: 5758 hectares.

Points of interest

The Oyambre Natural Park is a Spanish protected natural area located on the western coast of Cantabria. A great success story as the park was declared after pressure from local and international ecologist groups (begining in the the seventies) protesting against urban development projects that endangered its dunes and beach environment.

The natural park, which includes the estuaries of Ría de San Vicente, Ría de la Rabia and its surroundings constitutes a magnificent example of a coastal ecosystem. In addition to cliffs, areas of meadows and native hardwood forests, there are various dune systems which together with those of the Dunas de Liencres Natural Park make up some of the most important dune ecosystems on the Cantabrian coast.

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