Cantabrian High Route

The Cantabrian Range runs along the northern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. It’s the boundary between two markedly different environments, the deep, lush, temperate coastal valleys to the north and the undulating highlands to the south, much drier with higher temp extremes behind the rain shadow of the mountains. The Cantabrian Watershed makes for a challenging, magnificent long distance trek.

The Cantabrian Ranges

Background

I have already hiked the length of the Cantabrian Divide in the past albeit not in a single run. With the pandemic still making trips abroad uncertain at the time of planning the summer 2021 season, I decided to keep it local. With the prospect of the Pyrenees being flooded with visitors, I’d expect the Cantabrian Range to be the place to go for what I seek in a long distance route: solitude, challenge and a magnificent mountain environment.

Route Plan

The base line as I’ve drawn it follows closely the actual divide, often over the very crest wherever it’s walkable. It’s a rough, very exposed route along a mountain range of uncertain, often wicked weather patterns. Most of the route follows existing trails with only some cross-country bits but the trails are often rough and faint. It’s not easy walking. The basic route is 300 km long but the mountains extend further on both ends of the range, albeit becoming lesser in height and prominence. I’ll take a full two weeks for the trip, keeping the watershed hiking for as much as an additional 100 km. That’s as far as I could reasonably expect to get. At that point, I’d be very close to the boundaries of my homeland so I’ve enthusiastically kept drawing along further mountain crests, off the divide to end the line in my very home town for a grand total of 470 km.

Resupply

I don’t plan on visiting any town, not even a small village, for the 300 km of the basic route. There are several road crossings though, a couple of them offering pub services. My resupply strategy is based on the second of these serviced road crossings at about km marker 150 by sending a box with supplies for 6 days. At the 300 km point, I’ll hit a sizeable town where I can get supplies for the final few days.

6 days worth

Gear

All the usual long distance stuff applies. Owing to the character of the route, waterproofs and a solid shelter are important. The setting is exposed and the terrain often rough so the clothing must be fitting, not the best of places for umbrellas or ponchos, not even the ample long jackets I’ve been trying in recent years in the rain so I’ll be back to form-fitting jacket and trousers.

I don’t expect much access to wall plugs so I’ll be carrying again the solar panel to feed smartphone and photo camera.

This is the full prospect list (or you can see it in the lighterpack.com site)

Not alone

This is a neat twist for me. I’ll be sharing the trail with my good friend Nico, thru-hiking veteran and unassuming world cycle touring hero. We’ve been travelling together for years through our common memories, now we’ll share tread at the actual same time for the core 300 km and we’re both looking forward to it.

Wish us luck.