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
Peak	Torre de Cerredo
Elevation	2,648 m (8,688 ft)
Coordinates	43°11′51″N 04°51′06″W / 43.19750°N 4.85167°W / 43.19750; -4.85167
Dimensions
Length	300 km (190 mi) WE
Width	50 km (31 mi) NS
Naming
Etymology	Named after the Cantabri
Geography
Location of the Cantabrian Mountains in northern Spain
Country	Spain
Communities	Asturias, Basque Country, Cantabria and Castile and León
Range coordinates	43°N 5°W / 43°N 5°W / 43; -5
Borders on	Pyrenees and Galicia
Geology
Age of rock	Carboniferous, Paleozoic, Mesozoic
Type of rock	Limestone

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.