Cantabria is a natural paradise. Throughout it´s 5500 squared kilometer surface area we find the National Park of Picos de Europa, and six other natural parks. It is for this reason that Cantabria gives vital importance to it´s surroundings and protected spaces. They are of great interest to the European Union Community, in which they take great pride in taking care and preserving this special habitat in northern Spain.

If you want to travel the coast of Cantabria, it measures almost 500 kilometers, all the way from the Basque region to Mazizo Galaico-Leones. We will begin this trip in the Picos de Europa, the only National Park in Cantabria. It is a park that stretches throughout 3 different communities. The Cantabria community, Asturias and Castilla Leon. Three communities that share the precious jewel in the Cantabric coastline. The National Park of Picos de Europa was declared so in 1918 under another name. It was called Natural Park of Picos de Covandonga, and it´s surface area measured 70,000 acres. Since the year of 2003 it was declared a Reserve of the Biosphere by the UNESCO. The peak named Torrecerredo has a height of 2,648 meters.

The National Park of the Picos de Europa has many hidden treasures throughout it´s domain. There is a big variety of fauna and flora, and still holds animals that are in danger of extinction such as the brown bear. An absolutely beautiful natural paradise.

On the other hand we must also mention the remaining and not less important natural parks. The are the following: Natural Park Collados del Anson, Natural Park del Macizo de Penacabarga, Natuarl Park of Oyambre and last but not least the Natural Park of Dunas de Liendres.
There is an area with a protection of birds in the National Park of Picos de Europa. Liebana, Sierra del Cordel and Desfiladero de Hermida.

Lastly the Natural Park of Saja Besaya, a park that is located in between two river basins making it a natural reserve. Without a doubt one of the best jewels of nature in Cantabria, right behind the Peaks of Europe. It´s surface has beautiful valleys ad rivers that give a special color to the vegetation that surrounds Barcena-Mayor, the only locality in Cantabria that is still in it´s totally inside the park. The Natural Park of Saja Besaya is one of the few enclaves in Spain where you can still see wolves in their natural habitat, as well as wild boar and Eagles.

Besides the 7 parks, Cantabria has many places of Community Interest and have a declared distinction in the European Union. In this moment the places are the Montana Oriental and Occidental (the east and western mountain), Rias Occidentales, Dunas de Oyambre, and the estuaries of Pas and Miera. Marismas de Noja Santona are marshlands that also hold a great natural interest.