Nestled in the mountains of Cantabria, Camaleño is a picturesque town in northern Spain. It lies on the doorstep of a pilgrimage monastery housing a chunk of Christ’s cross, as well as the snowcapped mountains and sparkling lakes of Picos de Europa National Park.
Things to do in Camaleño
Camaleño makes an excellent base for visiting the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, which is home to the largest part of the True Cross on which Christ was crucified. It has been an important pilgrimage destination since the 8th century, with many arriving along the 73-kilometre-long Camino Lebaniego. From the charming Ermita de San Miguel, there are sweeping panoramas across the surrounding valley.
Magnificent views are also on offer from the Teleferico de Fuente De, an aerial ropeway that ascends the rugged mountains of the Picos de Europa. It opened to the public in 1966 and remains the longest single-span aerial cable car in Europe today. As you ascend along its 1,450-metre-long line, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Picos de Europa National Park.
As Spain’s only inhabited nature reserve, Picos de Europa offers encounters with brown bears and Iberian wolves as well as an insight into rural life in Asturias, Cantabria and León. You can hike through the aptly-named Divine Gorge and along the Ordiales Scenic Balcony Trail or get your adrenaline pumping while canyoning and caving. Don’t miss the picture-perfect Covadonga Lakes where wild horses roam.
Getting around Camaleño
Camaleño is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Santander and Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Camaleño and the town centre is small enough to explore on foot.