The Ermita de los Remedios, a signposted 9.5-kilometre hiking route and the historic forest offer different ways to experience a stay in Coo, bringing together architectural heritage, local history and landscape. There is also the Magosta festival with the folk music festival “EL JOYU”, the celebration of Los Remedios and a local chocolate and chestnut sweet. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether you are choosing Coo primarily for the hermitage, the forest landscape or a particular festival date.

The Hermitage and Local History

The Ermita de los Remedios dates from the 17th century. Its Baroque main altarpiece comes from Escobedo de Camargo. The construction period and the altarpiece’s origin offer two concrete points of interest for anyone interested in historic religious buildings: the date places the building in context, while the altarpiece’s place of origin adds a second historical dimension.

The name “Coo de las Castañas” is also associated with the area’s chestnut-rich forests; historical records can be traced back to 1374. Chestnuts are thus part of local identity, the landscape and local food culture.

Forest, Water and Hiking

The forests of Coo are home to large holly trees, beech trees, pines and chestnut trees. The Río Mortera flows through Coo and is connected with several local springs, including La Papuda, Fuentuca, Tobía and Arnicio. Alongside the woodland, the river and springs are specific landscape features that can shape a nature-focused stay.

A signposted 9.5-kilometre hiking route starts in Coo and passes through the historic forest of Coo. At this length, it offers a distinct nature-focused activity for your stay and can be planned as the main focus of a hike. Signage and trail conditions may change; check both before setting out.

Another story associated with a route concerns the Camino Real: it was once used to transport charcoal and was restored in Coo for use by the local population. Its role in charcoal transport adds a historical perspective to the nature-focused attractions.

Festivals and Chestnut Cuisine

The folk music festival “EL JOYU” takes place in Coo during the Magosta. The celebration of Los Remedios is scheduled for the second Sunday in September. These events offer different focuses for a culture-oriented stay: EL JOYU is associated with the Magosta, while the celebration of Los Remedios is tied to the September date. If you are planning your trip around a festival, check the relevant programme before travelling.

The “Carboneras” from Coo combine chocolate and chestnuts in a sweet shaped like coal. The 2025 Magosta programme included a public tasting in Coo, where the Carboneras were described as a typical dish from Coo made with chestnuts. This connects the local sweet with a specific past event in the Magosta programme.

Planning Your Stay

In the municipality of Los Corrales de Buelna, the tourist information office provides visitors with information about events, guided tours, routes, activities, monumental, natural and historical attractions, accommodation, restaurants and transport.

Practical planning depends on the occasion: for the hiking route, signage and trail conditions matter; for a festival visit, check the date and programme.

Discover more destinations: Somaniezo, Puente Pumar, Quintana, Somahoz, Roiz, Quijano, Rábago, Argüébanes.

For an overview of the wider region, see: Cantabria.