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Lookout of the Gándara River Waterfalls
The Fountains of Gándara
Difficulty-Adapted
0:15 h.
0.32 km.
The Fountains of Gándara
Difficulty-Adapted
0:15 h.
0.32 km.
At the gates of the Collados del Asón Natural Park, surrounded by the steep peaks of the eastern mountain of Cantabria, practically hidden among the green meadows, flows the tireless river Gándara which, shortly after birth, rushes down the valley. The Lookout of the Gándara River Waterfalls places us suspended in the air over the great gap that the river has been forming over the years. This short route of only 320 m and totally conditioned brings us closer in an instant from the same car park where we could have left our vehicle to the nearby lookout.
The greenery of the meadows contrasts with the worn-out mountains that surround this beautiful spot. The spectacle offered by the Gándara River in the form of wide waterfalls through which the water seeks the bottom of the valley rivals the panoramic view also offered by this vertiginous balcony. A real window to the Gándara valley and to the peaks of the Asón Natural Park. In the town of La Gándara, where this viewpoint is located, the park's interpretation centre also awaits us, from where we can also reach the viewpoint following a short audio-guided path that starts from it. This path will allow us to soak up the different peculiarities of this land, as well as to learn how the true natural treasures it holds were formed.
If we opt for this possibility we will not have great differences with the other option, since the interpretation center is very close to the lookout and the route is extended about 300 m more. Although initially both routes are not communicated, that is to say there is not an adapted path that one, we will only have to cross a green meadow to communicate them. The lookout, not suitable for people with vertigo, also lets us observe calmly how they have been forged around the river different urban centers and craft industries such as flour mills and blacksmiths that sought the strength of the river. A true spectacle of the nature and one of the several lookouts that the municipal term of Soba has.
Legend has it that many years ago two young men, he, a shepherd pretended by a powerful ajana and she, daughter of a noble lord who did not want for her such a suitor, fell madly in love. Furious for the love both young men professed, the noble lord and the powerful ajana joined forces to try to prevent such a union, but what they did was to unite them more. The powerful ajana, full of anger and spite, decided to use all her magic to definitively separate the two young men, locking them for life in caves, one on each side of the mountain. What was her surprise when the next morning, from the caves began to sprout water like mighty rivers that fall down the valley, intrigued continued its course until she found perplexed that both rivers were united in only one. The ajana understood her mistake, but it was too late because when she tried to go up the river to free the lovers, she slipped falling into its waters and drowning in the tears of the two young lovers.
To get to La Gánadara we can do it following the CA-265 road from Ramales de la Victoria. Also for this same road but in opposite direction we will be able to arrive at La Gánadara from Arredondo in the CA-261, that joins Ramales de la Victoria with Solares, happening through Asón. Another option is from Espinosa de los Monteros in the nearby province of Burgos. Once there, shortly before leaving La Gándara towards Asón we will find next to the interpretation centre of the natural park of Los Collados del Asón the asphalted track that leads to the car parks where we can leave our vehicle. Also next to this detour are the downtown car parks, where we can also leave it parked.
Without any complication, only the grating of the lookout is the one that can put you in more trouble, especially if you scare easily.
With several fountains in the area the water is not a problem, also allowing us to replenish the reserves we usually carry.
Other pets is usually all we can find, although the livestock is very present in these lands usually tends to be in the meadows completely fenced.
Toda esa zona de Cantabria es muy bonita.
The largest karstic complex in caves on the Peninsula Ibérica
Considered to be the best developed dune complex on the Cantabrian coastline.
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¿Did you know that...
The Gándara River, formerly known as the Soba River, suddenly gushes out of the ground under the Becerral limestone rock, next to the town of La Gándara. We can get close to the source of this river, a tributary, valley below, of the river Asón.
Don't miss out...
The lookouts that the municipality of La Soba has, lookouts such as the Collados del Asón, the Lookout of Cailagua or the Lookout of Aja among others. A perfect tour through the magnificent landscapes that this region and the Alto Asón treasure.
From the commitment of SENDITUR with Nature and the respect to the balance of the environment, SENDITUR urges you to travel in a responsible way, with low environmental impact and respecting at all times the Natural, Cultural and Social environment wherever you go.
Besides sharing with all of us your experience on the route we would be grateful if you could write to us to inform us of any erroneous or outdated information you may have found, or simply to let us know what you think at Thank you.
This route has been carried out in the field by SENDITUR on 13-07-2016. The route may vary greatly depending on the time of year, weather conditions and terrain, as well as the actions of third parties and the evolution suffered in the natural environment where it is located. All opinions, advice and/or assessments made by SENDITUR in their descriptions are for guidance only and are subject to and/or refer to the specific conditions of the specific day of the route, referring to that specific day, taken from trained people, with the appropriate experience and with a high level of physical and technical preparation as a reference, as well as correctly equipped.
All the times are approximate and take an orientative character, the stops have not been taken into account, no matter how small they are. All the information related to the route, texts, images, videos, maps, diagrams, tracks, towns, and places of tourist interest are published as a guide, and may not coincide with the current state of each place. Before undertaking any activity, assess your technical knowledge, your physical condition, find out about the weather and the variations that the route may undergo, equip yourself correctly, be prudent and responsible at all times, and do not exceed your capabilities. SENDITUR is not responsible for any misuse or inappropriate use of the comprehensive guides of its routes and/or publications as well as its electronic guides, nor for any variations in their descriptions for the aforementioned reasons, and recommends that everyone be responsible and prudent in carrying out the activity. We also encourage you to read books and specialised guides to complement the information described above.
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