This special conservation area protects the headwaters of the Nansa, Saja, and Híjar rivers, along with other tributaries of the Besaya River, forming a territory with a strong mountain identity. The landscape is dominated by deciduous forests—mainly oak and beech groves, as well as interesting holly groves—which coexist with mountain pastures and traditional extensive livestock farming systems, creating an environment of high ecological and cultural value.
The SAC includes 27 priority habitats and is a key area for forest birds such as the black woodpecker and the middle spotted woodpecker. It also represents the distribution limit of the brown bear in Cantabria and the Cantabrian Mountains, reinforcing its conservation value.
The area also preserves highly significant ethnographic elements in traditional villages, visible in their architecture, landscape uses, and pastoral culture. It is an ideal space for interpretive trails, wildlife observation, landscape photography, and ecotourism linked to rural life.
Spring and autumn are the most recommended seasons to visit this area due to the richness of colors and shades offered by its deciduous forests.
In spring, the awakening of vegetation and the flowering of numerous species transform the landscape into a vibrant and lively setting, ideal for hiking, nature photography, and wildlife watching.
In autumn, the changing foliage offers spectacular views, especially in beech and oak forests, which reach their peak color. The climate in both seasons is milder and more pleasant for exploring the valleys and mid- and high-mountain areas.
Summer is also a good time, especially at altitude, where temperatures are cooler and the landscape is at its most beautiful in the high mountains. Furthermore, many ethnographic and flora and mushroom interpretation routes take place during this time, coinciding with the ecosystem's most active cycles.
And finally, in winter, the red berries of the holly trees attract attention, an important source of food for wildlife in this time of scarcity.
This vast natural area allows you to combine nature observation with the discovery of living traditions and cultural landscapes. Its lush deciduous forests—mainly dominated by oak and beech trees—and holly groves offer attractive trails for hiking and photography, especially during autumn and winter, respectively. It is also an excellent area for observing forest birds, such as the various woodpeckers that inhabit these environments.
The relationship between humans and nature is reflected in its villages and in the survival of traditional crafts, crops, architecture, and extensive livestock farming systems. This area preserves many crafts connected to the traditional way of life, such as stonemasonry in Tudanca or the making of wooden utensils in Carmona. Guided tours offered in the area allow visitors to explore this landscape in an interpretive way, combining botanical knowledge with mushroom hunting, or ecotourism with local cultural knowledge. Some of these experiences also invite active participation in traditional crafts, forging a direct link between nature and culture.
La ZEC High Valleys Nansa, Saja and Alto Campoo It offers a diverse and comprehensive scenic experience that combines high mountains, deciduous forests, waterfalls, and villages with a strong rural personality. One of the most popular routes starts in Campa de Ucieda, crossing a vast oak forest that is a true symbol of the Saja-Besaya Natural Park. Nearby, the Pozo del Amo waterfall is one of the most photogenic natural spots in the area. The Balcón de la Cardosa viewpoint, on the climb to Puerto de Palombera, offers views of the holly forest and the impressive landscape of the upper Saja.
From the road between Tudanca and Callecedo, the rural landscape, dotted with traditional architecture and nestled among the mountains, invites you to pause. At the southern end, the access to the Alto Campoo ski resort leads to the Fuente del Chivo viewpoint, a natural balcony offering sweeping views of the valleys of northern Cantabria, the Liébana region, and the Picos de Europa. From the parking lot at the end of the road, a path leads uphill to the mountain range's slope change, also allowing you to see the source of the upper Pisuerga River in the neighboring Montaña Palentina. These sites represent an excellent example of the scenic, natural, and cultural value of this vast protected area.
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The Green Spain Ecotourism Reserve is an invitation to experience northern Spain in a different way. It's not a network of accommodations.
