Cycling, sightseeing and enjoying Spanish cuisine in Anero, Cantabria, Spain

Buy a 1 way ticket to Orejo. Use small guage FEVE trains provide a cheap and green way to get you and your bicycles to the starting point of this day. Bikes are stored at the front of the train in the wheelchair area.

As you head out of the sation towards the village of Orejo check out the neato abandoned house if its still there.

There are multiple ways to get to Aguero from Orejo, this is the beginning of a nice one, with barely any car traffic and nice vews

You can start to look for alternative paths, in the end they all will lead you to the same roads

Plenty of views of charming little farmhouses and and of the mountains and the city of Santander in the distance

Again there are many routes you can take, go with the flow and enjoy the views. If you like you can cruise around the area of the golf course Ramon Sota behind the church of Aguero.

A nice medieval bridge (Puente de Aguero) which crosses over the Miera River

Not really that much forest here but still a stimulating climb to some more nice views of the area.

Cross the highway and head east on the N-634 road towards Hoznayo

Although this section of the ride until you get to the next turn off has car traffic and examples of some of the horrific architecture that has plagued Cantabria recently there are nice views of the mountains above Lierganes.

This begins a much nicer section of the ride through some forest and bucolic pastures on the way to Hoz de Anero (and food!)

Take the road just before a strip of houses built with a more traditional Cantabrian style architecture (a refreshing change after the architectural horrors of Hoznayo!)

Blancos (white wine) and quality tapas and pinchos from Cantabria coming in minutes...hold on...

A legendary restaurant in Cantabria. Known for its charming setting amidst farmland and the village center, its quaint interior and its fantastic homemade tradional fare. HIGHLY RECOMMEND a "ración" of bocartes (breaded anchovies) when in season.

take the CA-427 to more good food at El Baruco de Anero

As you head up the hill to the center of the village of Anero (look for the church) stop and take in the views.

El Baruco opened in 2010 and has quickly become an insider favorite for its charming location and ample patio, its tasteful, fun decor and ambience and its high quality food and wine. We stopped here for some tasty homemade croquetas, a glass of wine and an enjoyable chat with the owner, Alfonso.

Start the trip back to Santander via Villaverde de Pontones, Cubas, Suesa and Pedreña

a much nicer, less trafficked route to Somo with great views of the bay of Santander as you head downhill into Somo

Stop on the bridge and enjoy the spectacular views of the bay of Santander, the Cubas river estuary and the mountains of Cantabria (on a clear day)

As you pass the marina on the right turn left onto the road that passes the Pedreña golf club. After a short climb this road will take you through the nicer (and safer) area of Pedreña and will leave you again on the main road.

Again a much safer and prettier route through Pedreña

This requires a short climb but offers pretty views and less car traffic

A nice bar but we only stopped to buy a bottle of water, you could stop for more if you have time

From elechas continue along the main raoad until the Pontejos bridge, cross the bridge and just before the rotunda/highway entry ramp, turn right onto the marina boardwalk of Astillero

These are protected marshlands of the Boo River estuary, once the bay of Santander was 70% larger than it is now and this entire urban area was marshland, this is an example of what it was like before. Contact the local chapter of SEO/Birlife for more information.

Follow along the river through an industrial area and continue until you reah a park like area next the the Parayas airport, along the fence of the airport boundary there is a bike path, take it east (towards the bay)

This is the beginning of a very convenient and safe shortcut which takes you to Santander

Ignore the signs saying that this is blocked off, its fine for cyclists and soon this will be the bike path to and from Santander

The final stretch of the day, continue with the port to your right and highway to your left and the parking lot of thousands of new cars, into an area of car vendors, this will lead you eventually to the calle Castilla and into the hear of Santander.