Cartes is a region in Cantabria, Spain, characterized by its diverse natural landscapes and accessibility for outdoor activities. Situated along the Besaya River Valley, the area features lush riparian forests and rolling terrain. The Vía Verde del Besaya, a former railway line, provides a flat and accessible route through varied scenery, connecting the Cantabrian coast with mid-mountain regions. Proximity to the Saja-Besaya Natural Park offers extensive deciduous forests and medium-height mountains, making Cartes a relevant destination for several sports like…
98
Routes
4.5
(182)
Average rating
2466
People visited

4.0
(6)
16
riders
30.0km
02:23
510m
510m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(1)
4
riders
22.0km
02:28
750m
750m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.7
(15)
113
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required.

4.4
(7)
66
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required.
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177
riders
47.9km
02:16
400m
400m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.8
(4)
135
riders
59.1km
03:00
640m
640m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

117
riders
54.9km
02:40
710m
710m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(4)
84
riders
63.2km
03:19
990m
980m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.2
(6)
108
runners
8.45km
00:53
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

53
runners
25.4km
03:23
1,020m
1,020m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

5.0
(1)
19
runners
11.9km
01:14
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

5.0
(2)
11
runners
11.6km
01:34
530m
530m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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5.0
(4)
21
hikers
11.4km
03:49
550m
550m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths.

3.3
(3)
29
hikers
6.24km
01:37
40m
40m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.

5.0
(1)
16
hikers
13.4km
04:22
580m
580m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths.

5.0
(1)
12
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths.
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4.0
(2)
38
riders
48.1km
03:43
820m
820m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

35
riders
31.3km
02:40
580m
580m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(2)
25
riders
111km
07:34
1,710m
1,710m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

5.0
(1)
21
riders
Easy bike ride. Mostly paved surfaces.
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5.0
(2)
8
riders
46.8km
03:04
620m
620m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

5.0
(2)
11
riders
25.6km
01:49
480m
480m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

5
riders
57.1km
04:30
1,040m
1,040m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5
riders
47.5km
04:19
1,330m
1,330m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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Cartes provides opportunities for various outdoor activities, including Road cycling, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Hiking, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features more than 20 routes, with an average rating of 4.48 out of 5 stars from over 800 ratings.
Yes, Cartes offers road cycling routes suitable for various skill levels. The wider Cantabria region, where Cartes is located, is known for its diverse cycling options. More information can be found in the Road Cycling Routes around Cartes guide.
Cartes and its surroundings offer numerous hiking trails, from easy walks along the Besaya River to more demanding treks within the Saja-Besaya Natural Park. Komoot lists over 150 hiking routes around Cartes. Details on these routes are available in the Hiking around Cartes guide.
The Vía Verde del Besaya is ideal for touring cycling and is accessible for all levels, including families. This greenway follows an old mining railway line, offering a relatively flat route through natural landscapes. It spans approximately 12 miles (20 km), combining greenway and bike-pedestrian lanes.
Cartes and the surrounding Cantabria region offer mountain biking opportunities, with terrain that can be rugged. The area has a tradition of biking, providing various routes for mountain biking. Consult the MTB Trails around Cartes guide for specific routes.
Yes, Cartes offers family-friendly options, particularly along the Vía Verde del Besaya, which is suitable for relaxed cycling and walking. The Besaya River paths also provide easy routes for families. Many hiking and cycling routes cater to various difficulty levels, including easier options.
Cartes is near the Saja-Besaya Natural Park, the largest protected area in Cantabria, known for its extensive deciduous forests. The Picos de Europa National Park is also accessible from the wider Cantabria region, offering more challenging terrain.
Outdoor routes in Cartes are popular on komoot, with over 14,000 visitors having explored the area. The routes collectively hold an average rating of 4.48 out of 5 stars from more than 800 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for Cartes, including Road Cycling Routes around Cartes, MTB Trails around Cartes, Cycling around Cartes, Hiking around Cartes, Running Trails around Cartes, and Gravel biking around Cartes.
The official website for the municipality of Cartes is http://www.cartes.es. For general inquiries, the Cartes Town Hall can be reached at +34 942 819 447.
Touring cycling is well-supported in Cartes, particularly along the Vía Verde del Besaya, which offers a scenic and accessible route. This greenway is suitable for relaxed rides through varied landscapes. Additional touring routes are detailed in the Cycling around Cartes guide.
Cycling terrain in Cartes varies from relatively flat paths along the Vía Verde del Besaya and Besaya River valley to more rugged and occasionally muddy conditions for mountain biking. Road cycling routes can include varied gradients within the Cantabria region.
Cartes is a Historic-Artistic Site known for its medieval village, cobbled streets, and stately homes. Natural features include the Besaya River Valley and the Vía Verde del Besaya. The Saja-Besaya Natural Park offers scenic viewpoints like Mirador La Cardosa.

