Trasvia: Coastal Paths, Views and Architecture

Trasvia brings together coastal paths and viewpoints with buildings from different centuries. If you are planning a stay, you can choose what to focus on based on your interests: the routes vary in length, walking time and use; the Ermita de San Andrés, Casa Olano and Gerramolino offer insights into different architectural forms and periods.

Coastal Paths on Foot and by Bike

The Balleneros de Trasvía route starts at the El Joyucu recreation area. On the guided tour on 20 August 2025, around six kilometres were covered along paths and forest tracks. For this tour, the route was described as easy and suitable for all age groups. The route described in 2025 runs near Comillas, along the northeastern edge of the Parque Natural de Oyambre, and offers views of the eastern part of the ZEC Rías Occidentales and the Duna de Oyambre. If you include the route in your plans, check access and the meeting point in advance.

Another option is Ruta 9: Ruta Costera. The circular route is nine kilometres long, with an approximate walking time of two and a half hours. Its difficulty level is low, although breaks and conditions may affect the actual walking time. The section through Trasvía runs along the coast between small meadows and reforested pine stands. Small birds feed on seeds and insects there.

The two routes differ in more than just length: information on the Balleneros route comes from a guided tour in 2025, while Ruta 9 is described as a circular route with an approximate walking time. Ruta 9 can also be ridden by mountain bike. Because there are steps between the Mirador de Santa Lucía and Punta de la Moira, as well as on a small incline near Punta Cambarro, some sections must be covered on foot. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Views and Coastal Landscapes

From the Trasvía viewpoint, you can look out over the Ría de La Rabia and Oyambre Beach. The surrounding area also offers a panorama with the Picos de Europa in the background. Viewpoints thus complement the coastal paths with a different perspective on the landscape.

The Parque Natural de Oyambre is a protected coastal area covering 5,700 hectares, spread 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 tidal zones with diverse flora and fauna. In the wider area around Trasvía, there is an interpretation centre in San Vicente de la Barquera, within the Parque Natural de Oyambre. The permanent exhibition is devoted to the park’s landscapes and land-use areas; there is also optical equipment for observing local seabirds on site. Check access conditions if you are planning a visit.

The Architectural History of Trasvía

The Ermita de San Andrés is a single-nave, rectangular religious building with a rounded-arch entrance. The complex also includes a school building dating from 1894, built at the expense of the Marqués de Comillas. These architectural details offer concrete points of reference if you are interested in the town’s religious and social architectural history.

A building named Iglesia de San Andrés also lies along Ruta 9: at kilometre 6.8, the route reaches this church, built in the 18th century. Its bell tower stands out clearly, and a fountain in the forecourt provides a place to refresh yourself. The church is therefore also a landmark along the route.

Other architecture offers different points of interest. Casa Olano was designed in 1957 by José A. Coderch de Sentmenat and M. Valls Gadea. The house adapts the International Style to regional conditions. Gerramolino, in turn, is a house from the second half of the 19th century in the English Romantic Colonial style. Together, these buildings reflect different periods and architectural influences without being reducible to a single style.

Trasvía for Planning Your Trip

When searching for hotels in Trasvia, the interests that bring you to Trasvía can serve as a starting point: Ruta 9 combines a coastal walk with a stop at the Iglesia de San Andrés; the Balleneros route is associated with details from a guided tour in 2025. Viewpoints and buildings complement these route themes with landscape and architectural attractions. This can help you choose the destination based on the experiences that matter to you during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Los Corrales De Buelna, Casamaría, Vioño, Cabuérniga, Bostronizo, Valderredible, Mazcuerras, Ibio.

For the broader travel overview: Cantabria.