Cantabrian Mountains

Cantabrian Mountains
Spanish: Cordillera Cantábrica
Cantabrian Mountains parallel to the Cantabrian Sea seen from Castro Valnera in an east-west direction. In the background, the Montaña Palentina (left) and the Picos de Europa (right)
Highest point
PeakTorre de Cerredo
Elevation2,648 m (8,688 ft)
Coordinates43°11′51″N 04°51′06″W / 43.19750°N 4.85167°W / 43.19750; -4.85167
Dimensions
Length300 km (190 mi) WE
Width50 km (31 mi) NS
Naming
EtymologyNamed after the Cantabri
Geography
Location of the Cantabrian Mountains in northern Spain
CountrySpain
Communities
Range coordinates43°N 5°W / 43°N 5°W / 43; -5
Borders on
Geology
Rock age(s)Carboniferous, Paleozoic, Mesozoic
Rock typeLimestone
Torre de Cerredo (2,650 m.), the highest summit of the Cantabrian Mountains
Pico Espigüete (2,450 m.)
Typical Cantabrian Mountains landscape in winter

The Cantabrian Mountains or Cantabrian Range (Spanish: Cordillera Cantábrica) are one of the main systems of mountain ranges in Spain. They stretch for over 300 km (180 miles) across northern Spain, from the western limit of the Pyrenees to the Galician Massif in Galicia, along the coast of the Cantabrian Sea. Their easternmost end meets the Sistema Ibérico.

These mountains are a distinct physiographic province of the larger Alpine System physiographic division.

The Cantabrian Mountains offer a wide range of trails for hiking, as well as many challenging climbing routes. Skiing is possible in the ski resorts of Alto Campoo, Valgrande-Pajares, Fuentes de Invierno, San Isidro, Leitariegos and Manzaneda.