01 Santander to Potes
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 02-04-2025
Route Summary 
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Verdict
Duration
5h 59m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
224.51 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review The route uses the S10 to quickly get you away from the chaos of the busy ferry port and it is a little unconventional because it takes you south, via the enormous Ebro Reservoir where most other routes would take you on the A-67 and A-8 motorways to head west out of Santander.
This route is all about the roads and views and after only 15 minutes of leaving you will be in the Spanish countryside and a further 30 minutes and you'll be encountering mountain roads and hairpin bends.
The Cantabrian Mountain range is one of the main systems of mountain ranges in Spain. They stretch for over 300 km across northern Spain, from the western limit of the Pyrenees to the Galician Massif in Galicia, along the coast of the Cantabrian Sea.
The twisty roads are a natural playground for motorcycles with stunning views on nearly every corner.
There are several places to stop for pictures as indicated by the green route point markers but to be honest, the views are fantastic along most of this route.
I have suggested a food or coffee stop on the banks of the mighty Ebro Reservoir. The Ebro reservoir was finished by Franco in 1945 to provide better water supplies to areas downriver. The remains of 9 villages lie beneath the waters, although several were relocated to shore level. It’s a drive of around 60km and around an hour to circumnavigate the lake, and makes an interesting trip with many things to stop off and see. (Worth remembering)
You start to head north after the reservoir and you are soon at Puerto de Palombera, at 1260 metres it is the highest part of this route. It is also set within the Saja-Besaya Natural Park and area that contains some of the best forests in Cantabria, which provide shelter to a valuable fauna, including deer, roe deer, wild boar, wolves, chamois, various birds of prey, occasionally a brown bear! Keep your eyes peeled.
The final road into Potes contains the Desfiladero de La Hermida, an amazing gorge and at 20 km long it is the longest in the Iberian Peninsula. The river Deva runs through its interior, flanked by rock walls that reach 600 meters in height, which makes the gorge a true scenic spectacle and a great way to end day one of this nine day tour.
There are lots of hotels and all sorts of accommodation at Potes, I have included links for just a few below this review.
Enjoy.
Links 
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes 
Cantabrie
About this region
The Vuelta a Cantabria is a multi-day road cycling race held annually in the region of Cantabria, Spain. Created in 1925, the race was also held in 1926, 1940 and 1942, and annually from 1963 to 1983. In 2003, the race reappeared after a 20 year disappearance and is now reserved to amateur cyclists.
Read more on Wikipedia
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Route Collections in this region Three tours in and around Picos de Europa Northern Spain
The Picos de Europa is a mountainous area in northern Spain, next to the Basque Country. In the middle is the village of Posada de Valdeon, which cannot be reached by motorbike from the north: you have to drive around the Picos via Potes or Sames. We stayed overnight in Posada de Valdeon in Hostal Casa Abascal. A great hotel with breakfast option. You can eat in a restaurant in the village with usually a choice of two menus.
There are all kinds of nature reserves around the Picos. These three routes take you through some of them. There are gorges to see, viewpoints, reservoirs and you can walk more than fine. If you like walking, bring your walking shoes.
But we come to ride and it's going great. Excellent roads with the occasional piece of unpaved so that you do not have to detour far for another attraction. You can eat delicious food and the people are very nice and hospitable. And because the route to Lourdes goes above the Picos, there are also pilgrimage sites and very beautiful churches and monasteries. The most beautiful thing in this area is the nature: breathtakingly beautiful with wild animals, rugged mountains and wild rivers.
All in all, you can spend at least 4 days here if you take a day of rest or go for a walk.
There are all kinds of nature reserves around the Picos. These three routes take you through some of them. There are gorges to see, viewpoints, reservoirs and you can walk more than fine. If you like walking, bring your walking shoes.
But we come to ride and it's going great. Excellent roads with the occasional piece of unpaved so that you do not have to detour far for another attraction. You can eat delicious food and the people are very nice and hospitable. And because the route to Lourdes goes above the Picos, there are also pilgrimage sites and very beautiful churches and monasteries. The most beautiful thing in this area is the nature: breathtakingly beautiful with wild animals, rugged mountains and wild rivers.
All in all, you can spend at least 4 days here if you take a day of rest or go for a walk.
View Route Collection
Ten Day Roadtrip from Spain to Portugal
This route collection describes a 10-day Road trip in the north of Spain and Portugal, a true paradise for motorcycling.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
View Route Collection