From the La Venera bridge, the ría winds its way down, and, running alongside it, you can follow small local roads and footpaths to enjoy a unique landscape all the way to its mouth in the Cantabrian Sea, where it forms the La Arena beach.

Along the way you’ll find the Hermitage of the Martyrs, the Pinaruco, the ruins of the Castellano mill, the holm oak woodland, and finally the sands and the crystal-clear waters of La Arena Beach.

From the historic centre of Isla you can also take two circular routes: descending to the Castellano mill. If you go north, you can walk down along the edge of the ría to La Arena beach; and if you go south, you’ll reach the Hermitage of the Martyrs and the La Venera bridge.

It is at the summit, from the viewpoint, where the traveller comes across one of the most incredible views of the Ecopark, being able to look, from the Cantabrian Range to the south, all the way to the coast from Santander to Bilbao.

Start the route at the Centro de Tradiciones Salvador Hedilla (Salvador Hedilla Traditions Centre), to make your way to the hermitage of San Juan, where the more experienced will be able to climb to the hill of the same name by crossing a lovely oak grove.

A little further on, we leave to one side the Cueva de la Ojáncana (Ojáncana Cave), which is not open to visitors, bringing back memories of Cantabrian mythology.

The next landmark on the way is the Torre Venero (Venero Tower), a vestige of fortification belonging to the Venero family, with a significant presence in America, where they founded the city of Leyva in Colombia. Very close by, we can also visit “el castaño de los Venero” (the Venero chestnut), a centuries-old oak tree that has been catalogued.

On our way to the Church of San Pedro, we can make a small detour to the roundabout of Salvador Hedilla and admire a replica of one of his aeroplanes. Our final stop will be the Church of San Pedro, from the 16th century, of mainly Gothic style, featuring a crypt beneath the altar.

We return to the starting point, passing through neighbourhoods and meadows, and if we still have a little time, we can wander around the streets, discovering the old homes of figures such as Bruno Alonso, Salvador Hedilla or Gerardo de Alvear.

ROUTE 1
The coastal route, which at the Helgueras crossroads turns inland towards Noja, in order to go on to cross the town of Soano, where the pilgrim can regain their strength, before continuing along the Marisma Joyel path. From there they climb up to the Historic Centre of Isla (Site of Cultural Interest, Camino de Santiago Route) along the footpath from the Bocarrero roundabout. In Isla, in addition to eating and drinking, the pilgrim can stay overnight at the hostel, which has 40 beds and modern facilities. From Isla, the route descends, via Arnuero, to the La Venera bridge, where the shared route resumes in Bareyo.

ROUTE 2
The inland route. We leave the Helgueras crossroads behind and immediately take a track on the left-hand side which, passing through farming areas, takes us to Torre Venero (BIC). Continuing along this road we will reach the roundabout of the aviator Salvador Hedilla and, a little further on, the Church of San Pedro de Castillo (BIL), where a path will take us to the municipality of Meruelo and, a few kilometres further on, to Bareyo.