Cambarco: Rock Chapel, Village Architecture and Hiking Trails

Cambarco lies at the beginning of the old Valdeaniezo valley, at the foot of Peña Sagra. The village brings together a remarkable ensemble of traditional architecture, a rock chapel and trails leading to a variety of landscape views. For planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between these highlights: in the village, the lanes, buildings and history of the Ermita Rupestre take centre stage; on the trails, the forest, protected area and views shape the visit.

Architecture and History in the Village

Cambarco is one of the municipality’s remarkable ensembles of traditional architecture. Its lanes invite visitors to explore on foot and take a closer look at the traditional buildings. If you enjoy architecture, you can plan a walk through the village as an activity in its own right, rather than associating Cambarco exclusively with hiking trails. This way, you can appreciate the buildings in the context of the village, rather than focusing on just one attraction. The Church of San Andrés stands on the road at the village entrance, providing a clearly identified architectural landmark for a visit.

The Rock Art Chapel of Cambarco, the Ermita Rupestre de Cambarco, is a man-made cave in the lower part of the village by the Aniezo River. It is considered a rare testament to religious practice from the late 8th or early 9th century. The cave is significant for a village walk not only because of its form, but also because of its historical context. You can view the interior through a grille installed to protect the structure. Check before your visit whether this viewing option is currently available. The location details distinguish between the two religious sites: the cave is in the lower part of the village by the Aniezo River, while the church is on the road at the village entrance.

Hiking Trails and Landscapes

The Naturea Cornejas Route passes through the Azufral de Cambarco and into the ZEC Liébana, a protected natural area within the Natura 2000 network. From Pico Cornejas, the route offers views of the Cantabrian Mountains, the Eastern and Central Massifs of Picos de Europa National Park, and the Sierra de Peña Sagra. It thus combines a clearly identified viewpoint with a trail through a designated protected area. It is a good idea to check current trail conditions before setting out.

Another trail leads from the village of Cambarco into the Alcornocal de Cambarco. The route through the wooded area offers views of the Cantabrian Mountains and the Central and Eastern Massifs of Picos de Europa. Here, too, check current trail conditions before your walk. Both trail descriptions mention the Cantabrian Mountains and Picos de Europa; the Cornejas route also includes the Sierra de Peña Sagra and a section through the protected area, while the Alcornocal route goes through the forest. This comparison makes the choice clear: a summit view and protected area, or forest and mountain views.

Discover more destinations: Frama, Perrozo.

Go to the main travel overview: Cabezón De Liébana.