La Hermida: The Longest Gorge in Spain
Cantabria, Spain
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Desfiladero de La Hermida
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250
XP
+100 Spain
= 350 total
1 day
La Hermida: The Longest Gorge in Spain
250 + 100 XP
The Deva has cut twenty-two kilometres of gorge through the Ándara massif between Panes and Cillorigo de Liébana, which makes it the longest defile in Spain, with near-vertical limestone walls some of them over 600 metres high — so high that from the road you cannot see the top. It is the only way in to Liébana from the Cantabrian coast, which is why the narrow N-621 runs through it. In the 19th century it was the route British travellers, mountaineers and hunters took to get at the Picos de Europa.
Required Activities
1
of 5
Drive the N-621 through all twenty-two kilometres of it and work out that you cannot see the tops of the walls from the road
2
of 5
Stop and look up at limestone faces over 600 metres high
3
of 5
Work out its strategic point: this is the only corridor from the Cantabrian coast into Liébana
4
of 5
Look for vultures and eagles on the updraughts, and chamois on the rock — 6,350 hectares of the gorge is a special protection area for birds
5
of 5
Find out who used this road in the 19th century: British travellers, climbers and hunters on their way to the Picos
Drive the N-621 through all twenty-two kilometres of it and work out that you cannot see the tops of the walls from the road
Stop and look up at limestone faces over 600 metres high
Work out its strategic point: this is the only corridor from the Cantabrian coast into Liébana
Look for vultures and eagles on the updraughts, and chamois on the rock — 6,350 hectares of the gorge is a special protection area for birds
Find out who used this road in the 19th century: British travellers, climbers and hunters on their way to the Picos
Before you go
The N-621 through the gorge is narrow with rock overhangs and no verge — check height and width limits before taking a large motorhome through. Rockfall closes it occasionally.
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About Cantabria
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Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
250 XP
Spain country bonus
+100 XP
Potential total
350 XP
Country bonus earned on completion of your first challenge in Spain.
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