- Stunning landscapes
- In a lesser-known, unspoiled region of Spain
- Spanish culture
43.235460672272, -4.55039185
In the heart of the Liébana region, nestled among the folds of the Viorna mountain, lies this site chosen by Toribio de Palencia and a few monks (6th century) to live a life dedicated to prayer and communal living under the guidance of an abbot. After the Arab invasion, King Alfonso I repopulated and reorganized the Liébana region with Christians from the plateau, creating a strategic buffer zone as a border against the Arabs. Among them, monks settled in various locations throughout the region, founding monasteries such as San Martín de Turieno, which later became Santo Toribio de Liébana. For over 500 years, pilgrims have journeyed to Santo Toribio de Liébana, making it a major pilgrimage site. Since the 9th century, the relic of the True Cross, a fragment of the wood of the cross, has been venerated at the monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana. Many pilgrims, on their way to Santiago de Compostela, would detour to venerate this relic and ask for blessings for their journey. Their numbers were so great that in the 16th century, Pope Julius II granted the site Jubilee status, on April 16, the feast day of Santo Toribio, if it fell on a Sunday. Santo Toribio de Liébana is one of the four perpetual pilgrimage sites of the Church, a number that has since increased to seven. Pilgrims who follow this route, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, are called "Cruceno" because they are pilgrims of the Cross.
HORSE RIDING IN SPAIN - AL OUR OFFER:
HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDE IN SPAIN
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
Day 1: Arrival at Posada La Llosa de Ibio or similar accommodation from 6:30 PM. Dinner with the group at 8:30 PM.
Day 2: We will depart on horseback from the Ibio Military Stud Farm at 10:00 AM, heading towards Ruente, a village in the Cabuérniga Valley, to enter the Saja-Nansa Nature Reserve. We will cross the Carmona hill and end the day's ride in the picturesque mountain village of Carmona. Carmona is a village in the Cabuérniga Valley, located in the Saja River valley, and has been designated a site of historical and artistic interest. It is situated in a place of great natural beauty, within the Saja Nature Reserve, and therefore boasts an abundance of forests and stunning landscapes, typical of this natural area. The region is also known for preserving its traditional customs. Among these is the annual descent of the Tudanco cattle from the mountain pastures, known as "la pasada," which is celebrated with great tradition each year. The Cabuérniga Valley, thanks to its location along the ancient Foramontanos Route, has fostered a thriving gastronomic tourism industry, based on traditional cuisine, particularly stews and mountain meats.
Day 3: We depart from the town of Carmona at 10:00 AM to travel to the Cabuérniga Valley and the municipality of Peñarrubia, specifically the small village of Cicera, surrounded by the Peña Sagra mountain range, thus bringing us closer to the Liébana Valley.
Day 4: We depart from Cicera at 10:00, ascending to the spectacular Braña de los Tejos, a meadow of ancient yew trees, and then on to the 
Liébana Valley, from where we can admire views of the coast on one side and the Cantabrian Mountains and the Picos de Europa on the other. After lunch in this magnificent location, we descend through the Bedoya Valley to Tama, where we will end the day. The yew tree is one of the most robust and long-lived tree species, reaching an age of a thousand years. Its leaves and seeds are highly poisonous. The yew tree was the sacred tree of the Cantabrians. It is quite possible that a Cantabrian settlement was established in the forests of the Cordancas massif, or perhaps even at Braña de los Tejos itself, although perhaps only intermittently, which would explain the existence of a Roman winter military camp at Cicera. The pressure from the Roman army forced the Cantabrian people to occupy higher, more difficult-to-access lands. Nevertheless, Braña de los Tejos, with its unique flora and fauna, and due to its strategic and defensive characteristics, was a privileged location for this Celtic people. Since then, Braña de los Tejos has continued to exist, serving as a shelter for shepherds and their livestock along a traditional route between Lebeña and Peñarrubia. Accommodation and dinner at Posada Mirador de Picos.
Day 5: Depart from Tama at 10:00 a.m. to go to the Santo Toribio Monastery for the pilgrims' Mass. At the monastery, the monks will welcome us, and after passing through the Holy Door as pilgrims, we will celebrate our jubilee. After lunch, we will continue our journey to Aravalle. Accommodation and dinner at Posada Mirador de Picos.
Day 6: End of your ride and departure after breakfast.
* The itinerary is indicative, it can be modified in the event of weather imperatives or other imponderables.
MEETING:
On day 1, in the late afternoon, you will arrive directly at your accommodation at Posada La Llosa de Ibio or a similar hotel, starting from 6:30 PM. Dinner with the group will be at 8:30 PM.
DEPARTURE:
Day 6, after breakfast.
TRANSFERS:
Transfers are payable directly on site.
- Bilbao Airport: 205 km, 2.5-hour drive. €250 per one-way trip per vehicle (up to 4 people).
- Oviedo Airport: 186 km, 2-hour 20-minute drive. €250 per one-way trip per vehicle (up to 4 people).
- Santander Airport: 105 km, 1.5-hour drive. €130 per one-way trip per vehicle (up to 4 people).
- Madrid Airport: 407 km, 4.5-hour drive. €500 per one-way trip per vehicle (up to 4 people).
Option 1: Rent a car at Madrid Airport.
Option 2: Train from Chamartín Station (Madrid) to Torrelavega, then bus (Palomera) from Torrelavega to Potes.
Option 3: Bus from Madrid (Avenida de América) with Alsa to Torrelavega. Then bus from Torrelavega to Potes (Palomera).
Option 4: Flight from Madrid to Santander, then bus from Santander to Potes (Palomera).
Option 5: Taxi from Madrid to Potes: €500 per one-way trip per vehicle (up to 4 people).
CAR RENTAL:
We recommend renting a car, which is particularly advantageous in Spain; you can do so on this website: www.autoeurope.fr
LEVEL: 
You must be comfortable with all three gaits and able to ride independently on sometimes challenging trails. Good physical condition is also required. Some sections will require dismounting and leading the horse on foot. Maximum weight: 95 kg.
RYTHM:
On average, we spend 6 to 7 hours on horseback each day. The pace is adapted to mountain trekking: mainly walking, some trotting, and a few short gallops when the terrain and conditions allow it.
SUPERVISION:
Local guide who speaks Spanish and English.
GROUPS:
4 to 8 riders + le guide.
HORSES:
Spanish purebred horses and crossbreeds that are well-suited for mountain trekking.
TACK:
High-quality English saddles, with saddle bags. Available with either traditional reins or hackamore.
ACCOMMODATION: 
In bedrooms, in comfortable hotels.
MEALS:
Taken every evening in the hotels: local cuisine, varied and of high quality. At noon, the picnics are prepared and brought in the assistance vehicle. Some days, carried in saddlebags on horseback to enjoy the most beautiful mountain sites, inaccessible by vehicle.
2026 PRICE / PER PERSON:
In 2-3 person bedrooms: 1 200 €
Single bedroom supplement *: 300 €
Booking fees: 15 €
* If you book in a shared bedroom and there is no one to share, the single bedroom supplement will be charged, refunded if a person wishing to share registers later.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
Horse and tack rental, guide, accommodation, all meals, drinks (wine and water) during meals, itinerary transfers, financial bond for your payments by our travel agent guarantee.
THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks out of meals and not included (sodas, hot drinks, aperitives) visits, tips, the journey to and from Tama in Cantabria, all that is not indicated in "THE PRICE INCLUDES".
INSURANCE (if you don’t already have one):
We offer to Europe Union citizens (only) Chapka insurances:
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices & information
FLIGHTS :
Flights are not included because it is more interesting to book directly your ticket: a transport package included is generally more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best prices.