Guided Snowshoeing at Alto Campoo

What it is

Walking over snow with snowshoes and poles with a qualified guide. Más Campoo, a mountain-guide company based in Nestares, next to Reinosa, and the one the resort itself recommends for its mountain activities, sets out from the Alto Campoo resort, in the Hermandad de Campoo de Suso, 24 km from Reinosa.

The routes

• Basic route, two to three hours: out and back to the top of the resort. It is suitable for everyone and is the good one for getting started.
• Challenging route, four to five hours: it climbs two summits, which the guide chooses according to the weather and the snow. One is Tres Mares peak, at about 2,170 metres, with the first stretch off-piste; the other climbs to El Cornón and the Fuente del Chivo, with its cross, and comes down the slopes after crossing the río Híjar. It requires some experience and fitness.

From the top, on clear days, you can see the Picos de Europa, the Cantabrian Sea and Santander.

What it includes

Hire of top-range snowshoes, poles and a safety shovel, the guide with official mountain qualifications and civil liability and accident insurance. There are at most twelve people per guide.

What to bring

Thermal clothing, waterproof mountain boots, water and sunscreen. Add sunglasses, a hat and gloves: the sun reflects off the snow and it is usually windy at the top.

Price and booking

The route listing shows a price of €30 without making clear that it is for this activity, and does not publish departure times, minimum age or cancellation terms: ask when you book at mascampoo.es, at [email protected] or on 630 824 099. It depends on there being enough snow; the resort expects to open the 2026-27 season in December.

Before you go

In winter the weather changes quickly at the head of the valley: the guide may change the route or the summit depending on snow, wind and visibility. It is not an activity to do on your own without experience; the off-piste routes pass through areas where you need to know how to read the snow.

With children

The basic route is the one that makes sense for families; check with the company beforehand from what age they accept them. With small children, another option without snowshoes is to go up on the Tres Mares chairlift for €15 and come down on it.

Getting there

From Reinosa, along the Alto Campoo road that climbs through Brañavieja; bring chains. Park at the Calgosa car park. For lunch afterwards, the resort cafés or, down in the valley, the restaurant at Complejo Puente Romano. If you sleep nearby, the SNÖ Hotel La Corza Blanca is in Brañavieja, five minutes from the slopes.