Cabárceno Natural Park

Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno

A vast open-air wildlife park set in a former mining area, home to elephants, rhinos, bears and big cats roaming semi-natural enclosures. Its dramatic rocky landscape and scenic drives make it a unique family-friendly nature experience.

Things to do

• Drive the scenic park route — Follow the winding road by car through former open-pit mines transformed into panoramic valleys where animals roam freely.
• Watch the elephants bathe — Visit the African elephant enclosure near the park's central lake to see them splash and interact during feeding times.
• See the brown bear pits — Observe European brown bears roaming rocky former quarry pits that mimic their natural mountain habitat.
• Take the cable car (teleférico) — Ride the aerial cable car for sweeping views over the park's dramatic limestone cliffs and grazing rhinos below.
• Catch the birds of prey show — Attend the live raptor exhibition where eagles and vultures fly low over the amphitheater crowd.
• Visit the rhinoceros savannah — Walk past open plains where white rhinos graze against the backdrop of Cabárceno's reddish rock formations.
• Explore the big cats zone — Spot lions, tigers, and leopards in spacious enclosures built into the park's craggy terrain.
• Stop at the Mirador del Buey viewpoint — Climb to this lookout point for panoramic photos over the entire park and surrounding Cantabrian hills.

Food to try

• Cocido montañés — A hearty Cantabrian bean stew with cabbage, chorizo, and pork, ideal for warming up after a day outdoors.
• Sobaos pasiegos — Soft, buttery sponge cakes from the nearby Pas Valley, sold at the park's cafés as a sweet snack.
• Quesada pasiega — A traditional Cantabrian cheesecake-like dessert, dense and lightly caramelized, popular in regional restaurants.
• Rabas fritas — Lightly battered fried squid rings, a classic Cantabrian appetizer available at the park's dining areas.
• Anchoas de Santoña — Cured anchovies from the nearby coastal town, often served as tapas paired with local bread.

Local customs & good to know

• Bring or rent a car — Cabárceno is huge, so most visitors drive between zones since walking the entire park on foot takes many hours.
• Arrive early for shows — Animal feeding and bird shows have set times, so checking the daily schedule at the entrance helps you plan your visit.
• Wear sturdy footwear — The terrain includes steep slopes and uneven former quarry paths, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Expect variable weather — Cantabria's climate can shift quickly, so bringing a light rain jacket even on sunny days is a common local habit.