The Picos de Europa is a compact limestone massif straddling Cantabria, Asturias and Castilla y Leon, and Fuente Dé sits at its dramatic dead end - a natural amphitheatre of rock walls at the head of the Liebana valley. The cable car (teleferico) climbs roughly 750 metres in under four minutes to the Mirador del Cable, putting high mountain terrain within reach without a serious hike. It's a long day from Santander given the drive, so most of the day is really the journey and the summit rather than deep exploration below.
| Distance | 130 km from Santander |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 2.5 hours by car (no direct bus to Fuente Dé) |
| Address | Barrio de Fuente Dé s/n, 39588 Fuente Dé, Cantabria |
How to get there
- Mode
- Car
- Duration
- 2.5 h
- Route
- A-8 west to Unquera, then N-621 south through Liébana. Return via Potes village (stop for lunch).
- Mode
- Taxi (private excursion)
- Price
- ~€180 (~$194) round trip shared
- Contact
- Radio Taxi Santander: +34 942 33 33 33
Location
Barrio de Fuente Dé s/n, 39588 Fuente Dé, Cantabria
43.1282, -4.8133 View on map
Highlights
- Teleferico de Fuente De - the cable car itself, one of the steepest ascents of its kind in Europe, rising to the Mirador del Cable
- Mirador del Cable - the top station's viewpoint over the Fuente De amphitheatre and, on clear days, toward the high peaks
- Ruta del Cares - the famous gorge trail lies further into the range and is a separate full outing, but the Liebana valley drive passes its trailhead area
- Santo Toribio de Liebana - a monastery a short detour from the main road, associated with a relic of the True Cross