We are going to describe a route that goes near some of the most famous and colorful areas of Cantabria. In this case, we are going to make a description of the basic route, nevertheless, around this areas there are enough tourist attractions so each one of the travellers can make its own route around these valleys. We will try at the end of the description to make a full list of interesting points that are more or less near the route. Finally, before beginning with the description of the route, we have to say that this is a good route to perform on the last day of stay in Cantabria, as for those who return to Madrid or the South of Spain they finish the route at about 50-70 kilometers in the direction of Burgos (depending on the route chosen).

The route begins in Santander, taking the A-8 highway to Bilbao. After passing Astillero and before arriving at San Salvador, we take the exit to the Natural Park of Cabárceno. Leaving at the left of the road the entrance to Cabárceno, we continue through the same road to Sarón. When we arrive at Sarón, continue straight on the road to Villacariedo and Selaya. It is worth the visit to Villacarriedo to view the Palace of Soñanes, now converted into a hotel and a restaurant. At Selaya it is Casa Macho, where you will be able to buy excellent quesadas and sobaos, typical Cantabrian dessert.

Just after leaving Selaya it begins the port of Braguia, with spectacular views of both the Pisueña valley, with Villacarriedo and Selaya at the background, and the Pas Valley, on the other side of the mountain. The descent brings us to Vega de Pas, a town with charm and where we can stop to eat.



In the afternoon, we have 3 possibilities:

• Those who have chosen this route to get out of Cantabria, they can take the road to Entrambasmestas, where you take the N-623 road to Burgos just before the start of port El Escudo, or they can go to San Pedro de Romeral, and continue to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Pas valley, arriving to the N-623 road to Burgos just after passing the port of El Escudo at the village of Cabañas de Virtus.
  
  If the weather conditions are adverse I recommend the first option, but if the weather is good I recommend to go to San Pedro de Romeral and enjoy the beauty of the road.
  
  
• For those who want to return to Santander without further shocks, I recommend going out to Entrambasmestas. There we take the N-623 road to Santander. Along the way we pass some villages that are worth to visit, like Alceda, Ontaneda, and Puente Viesgo, with its famous spa and the prehistoric caves of Monte El Castillo.
  
  
• For those who think that the route has been short, or for those who want to enjoy the unique landscape of this area, with stunning views almost every bend in the road, we can get out of Vega the Pas and take the road to the port of Estacas de Trueba, with good views over the valley. Just before reaching Espinosa de los Monteros, already in the province of Burgos, we can take the road to Portillo de la Lunada to return to Santander, with a spectacular view, just after passing the top of the mountain, to the glacier circus of Miera Valley from a viewpoint enabled near the road. After arriving to San Roque of Riomiera, we continue to Liérganes where we can finish the day tasting a well deserved chocolate with cake or typical churros, and making a walking tour to this beautiful village to burn this snack.
  
  Anyhow, I only recommend making this route in case of good weather, because if the weather is not good or it's foggy the route can be dangerous and the views will be minimized.