Beach of San Antolin - Beach of Guadamía

This route runs along one of the most spectacular stretches of the Llanes Coastal Path, linking two emblematic beaches: San Antolin and Guadamía. The route starts at San Antolin beach, one of the longest beaches on the Llanes coastline, and from there it heads westwards along the coastline, offering open views of the Cantabrian Sea, cliffs, meadows and unique geological formations.

Although the route is based on the GR-204 (Coastal Path), some adjustments have been made in this section to get closer to the sea. It is therefore advisable to follow the track carefully, as at certain points it may be necessary to leave the official signposting.

One of the first milestones along the route is Gulpiyuri beach, a natural jewel that has been declared a Natural Monument. It is a small inland beach formed by the collapse of a sea cave, where the water enters from the sea through an underground tunnel. It is a unique and photogenic spot, ideal for a quiet stop.

Shortly before reaching La Huelga beach, you can make a detour of about 350 metres to visit the Santolaya hermitage, located in a setting that combines history, landscape and peace and quiet. In the area you will also find the mill of La Huelga, on the banks of the river San Cecilio, a vestige of the local agricultural tradition.

Continuing along the coastline and crossing the villages of Obiu and Picones, you reach a spring where you can refresh yourself before reaching another highlight: the hermitage of San Antonio, located on the beach of San Antonio del Mar, on a promontory with excellent views of the coast and the Picos de Europa.

The path continues towards Villanueva de Pría, passing first the popular beach of Cuevas and the lesser-known beach of La Canal, in Villanueva, two places that invite you to stop and watch the rhythm of the sea.

Further on you reach the well of Las Grallas, a series of natural cavities in the cliffs that are permanently flooded by the sea. These wells were formed by the collapse of the roof of underwater galleries, creating a wild and breathtaking landscape.

The most impressive section of the route comes with the Bufones de Pría, where, when conditions are favourable, the sea presses through cracks in the cliffs and gushes into the sky in the form of spectacular jets of sprayed water. On rough sea days - more frequent in winter or when the sea is rough - the bufones can reach more than 20 metres high and generate a deep, characteristic sound, like a roar. In these cases, in order to enjoy the spectacle safely, it is advisable to keep a certain distance, as approaching them can be dangerous.

The route ends at Guadamía beach, a beautiful natural estuary where the Guadamía river flows between rocky walls, thus completing a route that combines nature, geology, heritage and marine landscapes of a beauty that is hard to match.