One of Spain's most impressive viewing points: 600m above a Medieval Castle

There are landscapes in Spain that are worth stopping for, observing in detail, taking a deep breath, and clearing your mind. One of them is the La Hermida Gorge, the largest in all of Spain. It consists of deep gorges covered in vegetation winding through western Cantabria. To fully admire this landscape, one of the best options is to visit the Santa Catalina Viewpoint, perched 600 metres above the gorge's floor on the ruins of an ancient castle.

The Santa Catalina Viewpoint, located in the municipality of Peñarrubia, offers some of the best views of the deepest stretch of the La Hermida Gorge from a balcony that hangs over the abyss. This collection of rugged and steep gorges with enormous vertical walls is part of the Ándara massif and converges into a main canyon formed by the Deva River. Moreover, it stretches for 21 kilometres and marks the boundary of the Picos de Europa.

The viewpoint sits on the Hozarcu mountain at an elevation of 600 metres above the canyon floor, "on the ruins of the high medieval castle known as 'La Bolera de los Moros,' strategically positioned to control the gorge on an accessible high plateau that connects with the historic Carmona to La Hermida road," as noted by the Tourism Board of Cantabria.

This fortress was built between the 8th and 12th centuries and played a crucial role as a lookout point. There are barely any visible remains of the castle, although various archaeological excavations have uncovered structures such as remnants of a tower and the foundations of a chapel.

Nestled in the heart of Cantabria, the picturesque village of Bárcena Mayor stands as a unique gem in the region's mountainous landscape. This small community, immersed in the sublime Saja Besaya Natural Park, transports us to an enchanted world where tradition and nature converge in perfect harmony—a magical paradise in northern Spain.

How to Reach the Santa Catalina Viewpoint:
To reach the Santa Catalina Viewpoint by car, you should head to a junction between the villages of Cicera and Piñeres. From there, you'll journey through a small forest until you reach the viewpoint. The drive from Santander takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes via the A-8 highway.

Alternatively, you can access the viewpoint via a hiking route. Starting from the town of La Hermida, you should follow the Agüeras Trail and then connect with the Mythological Trail. This path has a moderate difficulty level and extends for about 6 kilometres.