Spain: Cantabria and The Ebro Valley

Dates
September 11th to 17th 2022
Duration
7 days
Support Vehicles
2 vehicles
Location
Cantabria in northern Spain from Santander south to Herrera de Pisuerga, passing through the Parque Natural Saja-Besaya and the Ebro Valley.
Group Size
6 to 10 cars
Age
3+

Off-Road Level
2 with some parts 3 in Saya-Besaya and Sierra del Dementa
Physical Level
2

Spain is a land of mountains, valleys and escarpments that are teaming with tracks that will take you on a journey across its landscape. Our route will take you through the Beech forests and across the mountains of the Parque Natural Saya-Besaya, climbing the massive escarpments of the Valle del Ebro as well as the spectacular heights of the Sierra del Dementa in La Rioja.

Our journey starts in the medieval village of Santillana del Mar where we will enjoy an evening meal at Restaurante El Castillo in the Plaza Major on your first night in Spain. This adventure is also a cultural one. You will have opportunities to visit Altamira, The Museum of Human Evolution in Burgos and Atapuerca. These are a few of the delights along the way.

You will experience many wonderful menu del dia’s along the way, one of which in the village of Alar Del Ray is reputed to make the best croquetas in the whole of Spain…..

What’s included:

Hotel, Full Board
Wildlife Identification Sheets
Enthusiastic Wildlife and Cultural Experts
Comprehensive Roadbook
24 hour support

Whats not included

Altamira Prehistoric Cave Paintings Entrance Fee
Museum of Human Evolution Fee
Return ferry to Spain/France

Enquire

To Top

Hotels

We use three excellent quality hotels that emphasise the character of Spain, Posada La Solana in Santillana del Mar , Posada la Colodra in Saya-Besaya and in the small town of Ezcaray at the base of Sierra del Dementa we enjoy the Palacio Azcarate Hotel.

Culture

We will vist the Cuvas Altamira, the Museum of Human Evolution, ancient ruins and beautifully idiosyncratic cafes and bars.

Second to none Impala Support

You will have the acclaimed Impala Support Teams on hand at any difficult spots along the way.

To Top

Mountain and Forest Tracks

Spain has an amazing variety of tracks and our roadbook brings together some of the best in Cantabria. You will find yourself fighting your way up slippery climbs in Beech forests (Impala Support on hand), passing high over the mountain tracks that criss-cross the Parque Natural Saya-Besaya and climbing high into the Sierra de Dementa, where there is a stunning 1:2 descent that lasts for over a kilometer ( Impala Support on hand)……….

If you have enjoyed off roading in England and Wales then you will enjoy these tracks here in Spain, especially as here you will travel miles off road before popping out into a remote village that will always have an excellent bar or pension serving traditional and delicious food of the region.

To Top

Prehistoric Art and Medieval Castles

Our ancestors have left some of the most beautiful cave art imaginable. We will visit the museum of Altamira where the cave art has been replicated perfectly so you will be enthralled as you walk under the roof of art. There is also an exhibition of ancestral art going back to the san art of The Kalahari. There is also a shop and a cafe.

We bring into the roadbook some of the medieval castles and forts that are dotted around the Spanish landscape so that you can immerse yourself in the unique Spanish culture. The Spanish are very proud of their past and the Central Government has ensured that any cultural artifacts are either free or very cheap to visit. You will be able on your last day before the journey home visit the Museum of Human Evolution in Burgos, a mindboggling experience.

To Top

Wildlife

The mountainous landscapes of Spain are the perfect habitat for Griffon and Bearded Vultures. At the top of a long loose gravel climb up an escarpment, you will be able to walk to the escarpment edge and look vultures in the eye, only feet away.

We produce a wildlife guide that will help you identify not only the birds but also the mammals and reptiles that you may come across. You will see many deer, possibly the Iberian Ibex and maybe Wolf and Bear. On one of our reconnaissance forays, we came across a Wild Cat.

To Top

Enquire about the Spanish adventure

To Top