Stage

Santander - Santillana del Mar

Güemes - Santander Santillana del Mar - Comillas

37 km / 42’5 km

Departing from the Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Santander towards the roundabout of Cuatro Caminos, you then have to walk straight ahead to leave the city through a road that will take you to Peñacastillo after 2 kilometres. Following the railway line and crossing several underpasses, you will get to Santa Cruz de Bezana, and after that to Boo de Piélagos.

There is a diversion to the left following the official route and crossing the River Pas across Arce bridge, while if you follow straight ahead you cross the river over the railway bridge, on which you must be especially careful. From Mogro to Requejada the route opens up to the ria of San Martín de la Arena. A gravel road takes you to Requejada, 4 kilometres away from the starting point.

After crossing the River Soja, the day's journey carries on towards Sauces and Camplengo, where you have to take a right to reach Santillana del Mar. This beautiful and historic town is nicknamed “of the three lies”, as it is “neither a saint (Santi-), nor flat (-llana) nor by the sea (del Mar)”, but is has many tourist attractions that make it one of the most popular destinations in the Bay of Biscay. Walking around its streets is like travelling in time, with its Romanesque church and its medieval coats-of-arms.

** 1 kilometre away from Santillana del Mar you will find the famous Cave of Altamira, home to the most important Palaeolithic paintings in the world. The cave itself is closed to the public though the Altamira Museum contains a replica of the cave and its paintings.

Tips from our postmen and women

What to do and see in Santillana del Mar?

Eusebio Abascal Correos Santillana del Mar

"Getting to Santillana del Mar on foot is really time travel as it reminds us of the pilgrims of the past who walked on the same cobbled stones we walk on now. A visit to the Colegiata de Santa Juliana and its cloister is a must, these are Romanesque monuments of intense beauty. The whole town is car-free and this helps us let our imagination fly and enjoy the harmony of its buildings and patios with gardens behind thick walls”.