Unquera offers several specific reasons to visit: the Ría de Tina Mayor is considered a natural area on the border between Cantabria and Asturias, canoeing and rafting are available on the Río Deva, and the Fiesta de la Gaita Cántabra brings Cantabrian folklore together. To plan your trip, it helps to first choose your focus: the landscape, an activity on the river, or a stay that coincides with an event. This way, you can shape your trip around a specific interest rather than treating the different reasons to visit as a single itinerary.
Ría de Tina Mayor and Río Deva
The mouth of the Río Deva runs through the Ría de Tina Mayor; the ria forms the border between Cantabria and Asturias. It is considered a natural area covering 82 hectares, with a perimeter of just over 14 kilometres. These figures describe two different measurements: the area of the natural space and its perimeter. Together with its role as a boundary, they give the landscape a specific geographical context.
Canoeing and Rafting on the Deva
The full canoe trip on the Deva covers 12 kilometres from Panes in Asturias to Unquera in Cantabria. The route is considered not very difficult and suitable for couples, families and groups. With Panes as the starting point and Unquera as the destination, the route is clearly defined; its length gives you a specific point of reference for this river activity.
Several adventure tourism companies in Unquera provide canoes and introductory briefings for the descent of the Río Deva. As participating companies and availability may change, check the current offers in advance. Rafting on the Deva includes transport from the base in Unquera to the rafting starting point in Cantabria. This means the two activities have different geographical reference points: the canoe route ends in Unquera, while rafting includes transport from there to the starting point.
Camino Stage and Nature Route
The Cantabrian stage of the Camino de la Costa ends in Unquera. From there, you can also access a well-known nature route to the Desfiladero de la Hermida. These are two distinct route options: the Camino section leads to Unquera, while the nature route goes from Unquera to the Desfiladero.
Plan Your Trip Around an Event Date
The Fiesta de la Gaita Cántabra takes place in Unquera on the second Sunday in June. It brings together a broad representation of Cantabrian folklore; the programme also includes a market selling local products. The Descenso Internacional del Río Deva takes place in Unquera in late August. This gives you two different dates to choose from: the Sunday in June for the fiesta and market, or late August for the Descenso. If you are planning your trip around an event, check the exact date against the event calendar before making your plans.
Getting to Unquera
From Santander or Asturias, you can reach Unquera via the A-8 motorway and then take the appropriate exit. FEVE trains run daily from Santander and Asturias to Unquera. You can compare road and rail as travel options; check current road conditions or train timetables before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Prellezo, Pesués, Abanillas, Estrada, Serdio, San Vicente De La Barquera, Pechón
For the broader travel overview: Val De San Vicente.
