Trasvia brings together coastal paths, sweeping views and buildings from different eras. When choosing accommodation, you can consider whether you’re most interested in coastal scenery, a route with a stated walking time or historic architecture. Route 9: Coastal Route follows the coast; the Balleneros de Trasvía route starts at the El Joyucu recreation area.

Coast, Scenery and Views

From the Trasvia viewpoint, you can look out over the Ría de La Rabia and Oyambre Beach. The town’s setting also offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, with the Picos de Europa in the background. The coastal view and distant panorama offer two distinct landscape experiences.

The section of Route 9 through Trasvia runs along the coast, between small meadows and planted pine stands. Small birds feed there on seeds and insects. The scenery along the route therefore includes not only the coastline, but also meadows and patches of woodland.

The Balleneros de Trasvía route runs near Comillas, on the northeastern edge of Oyambre Natural Park. From there, it offers views of the eastern part of the ZEC Rías Occidentales and the Oyambre Dune. Oyambre Natural Park is a protected coastal area covering 5,700 hectares across Comillas, San Vicente de la Barquera, Udías, Valdáliga and Val de San Vicente. Its habitats include cliffs, meadows, native forests, estuaries and rocky and muddy intertidal zones with diverse flora and fauna.

Two Routes with Different Details

Route 9: Coastal Route is a nine-kilometre circular route of low difficulty. The approximate walking time is two and a half hours; stops and trail conditions can affect the actual duration. The route can also be ridden by mountain bike. Between the Mirador de Santa Lucía and Punta de la Moira, and at a small incline near Punta Cambarro, some sections must be covered on foot because of stairs and the climb. Trail and access conditions can change; check them before setting out.

The Balleneros de Trasvía route starts at the El Joyucu recreation area in Trasvia. On the guided tour on 20 August 2025, it was described as approximately six kilometres long, easy and suitable for all ages. The route followed paths and forest tracks. Before setting out, check access to the recreation area and the meeting arrangements.

At kilometre 6.8, Route 9 reaches the Iglesia de San Andrés, built in the 18th century. There is a fountain in the forecourt where you can refresh yourself. This stop links route planning with a specific historic building along the way.

Architecture and Local History

The Ermita de San Andrés is a single-nave, rectangular religious building with a round-arched entrance. Its bell tower has a square floor plan, three sections and a solid pyramidal roof made of dressed stone. The complex also includes a school building from 1894, built at the expense of the Marqués de Comillas.

Casa Olano was built in 1957 by José A. Coderch de Sentmenat and M. Valls Gadea. The building adapts the International Style to local conditions. Gerramolino, by contrast, dates from the second half of the 19th century and is in the English Romantic Colonial style. The two buildings thus represent different periods and architectural approaches.

The San Andrés festivities, held from 30 November to 3 December 2023, featured children’s games, theatre, musical performances, a verbena and karaoke. The programme describes those festivities at the time; it does not establish an annual schedule.

In the wider area around Trasvia, an interpretation centre is located in Oyambre Natural Park, in San Vicente de la Barquera. The permanent exhibition covers the park’s landscape and land-use units; optical equipment is available for observing local seabirds. Check current access arrangements before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Miengo, Secadura, Cabuérniga, Saro, Medio Cudeyo, La Busta, Ruesga, Selaya.

For the broader travel overview: Cantabria.