The Senda del Río begins at the medieval San Cayetano Bridge in the historic centre of Potes. The path runs along the right bank of the Quiviesa and Deva rivers. Trout and waterfowl are part of the riverside landscape; otters are occasionally sighted. Information boards cover the local fauna and flora. Check their current condition before your visit.

Hiking trails and landscapes

The Senda del Río links a starting point in the townscape with a riverside landscape where nature watching takes centre stage. The Encinares y Praderas de Potes a Armaño route offers a different focus: it starts in Potes, is 8.8 kilometres long, climbs 255 metres and takes three hours. Its difficulty is listed as easy.

The route passes through Monte La Roja, a Mediterranean woodland area with holm oaks, junipers, strawberry trees and cork oaks. This makes it possible to distinguish a specific hike, with a stated duration and elevation gain, from the riverside landscape of the Senda del Río. Those considering another circular route can find one at Monte Arabedes, starting near Potes public school and leading to a wooden viewpoint overlooking Potes.

The Camino Lebaniego also passes through Potes: the route goes through the town between Cicera and Santo Toribio. Potes and Liébana also offer various horse-riding trails through forests and villages, connected with culture and tradition. These trails and activities have different focuses and do not need to be combined into one fixed day’s itinerary.

Old town, towers and culture

The old town of Potes is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest. The Torre del Infantado is a 15th-century monument associated with Íñigo López de Mendoza, the Marqués de Santillana, and his descendants from the ducal House of Infantado. The tower houses a permanent exhibition on the life and work of Beato de Liébana, an 8th-century abbot. Check the exhibition details and access arrangements before your visit.

The former Antigua Iglesia de San Vicente Mártir is a protected heritage building with a construction history spanning the 14th to the 18th century. The Centro de Estudios Lebaniegos is housed in the former church building. It hosts temporary exhibitions, concerts, performing arts, literary events and conferences. The centre also houses a pilgrim assistance office and Potes’s municipal tourist information office. As the programme, office services and opening arrangements may change, check the latest information if you are planning a visit.

The Ruta de los Escudos starts at the Centro de Estudios Lebaniegos and runs through the streets of Potes, past houses bearing coats of arms. The route includes locating 24 coats of arms. Another historic building is the medieval Torre de Orejón de la Lama, also known as Torre de Bedoya; it dates from the 15th to 16th century.

Market, traditions and local offerings

A traditional market is held in Potes on Mondays, where you can buy orujo and other products. Check whether the market is taking place and what products are on offer before your visit. Another annual date is the procession to the Virgen de Valmayor, the patron saint of Potes: it takes place every year on 15 August, setting out from Potes and including a picnic. The building there dates from the 18th century.

Near Potes is the Casa de la Naturaleza de Pesaguero. It offers information about local attractions, as well as guided and self-guided tours in the region. Its interactive presentations cover the biology and conservation of the brown bear, as well as bear-related festivals. This adds regional nature themes to your planning without equating them with the trails and cultural sites in the town centre.

Planning your stay

Potes bus station is at Calle Eduardo García de Enterría 30. Check the operating details before travelling. If you are looking for a hotel in Potes, your interests can help guide your plans: the old town and cultural sites, the riverside landscape, or a route with a stated duration each offer a different starting point. The Encinares route has specific figures for distance, elevation gain and duration; the other activities mentioned stand out for their own locations, themes and landscapes.

Discover more destinations: Arnuero, Helguera, Rasines, Ampuero, Corvera De Toranzo, Otañes, Santiurde De Toranzo, Castañeda.

For the regional travel overview: Cantabria.