Crémenes and Riaño Mountain Photographic Hides
Excellent photo hides for forest birds, raptors and mammals in the Cantabrian Mountains
About our Crémenes and Riaño Mountain Photo Hides
The southern slopes of the Cantabrian mountain range with its valleys covered with forests, grasslands and rocky areas offer an ideal habitat for hundreds of species of birds, both resident and migratory, which make this place a real paradise for bird lovers.
The photographic hides of CRÉMENES AND RIAÑO MOUNTAIN have been available to our customers since 2011, and in this new season they will be operational from 1 November to 15 July, offering a wide variety of photographic proposals for both birds and mammals, with exceptional technical conditions and at very reasonable prices.
Our range of hides and species is variable, as our guides and technicians try to maximize the opportunities that each new season offers, although we have a broadly stable range of proposals year after year that we detail below.
Season
Winter Season
• HIDES OF FOREST WOODPECKERS IN CORNIERO (4 places):
This place is very regularly visited by the black woodpecker, an area of pastures, birch and poplar groves, which holds an extraordinary diversity of forest and mountain birds. The price is 55€ per session.
• BIRD FEEDER IN VILLAYANDRE: PASSERIFORMES, MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER AND
EUROPEAN GREEN WOODPECKER (4 places):
in pastures surrounded by scrub and walnut trees, we will try to photograph the woodpeckers (mainly Middle Spotted and European Green) in acrobatic postures, while they use the perches in search of food. Together with these woodpeckers, a feeder concealed in a scene that recreates one of the surrounding meadows, will serve to attract buntings, chaffinches, linnets, warblers and robins, among other species. Price 55€ per session.
• EUROPEAN JAY AND COMMON BUZZARD HIDE (2 places):
Although the European jay is a common and well-known corvid, in few places is it as easy to photograph as in this feeder in Crémenes, where they can visit us by the dozens, giving plenty of opportunities to try everything from flights to fights, as well as documenting interesting behaviours of how they manage to eat nuts and other fruits with hard shells. Alongside the jays, other species liven up the feeder, such as buzzards. Price 55€ per session.
• BULLFINCHES AND THRUSHES HIDE (2 places):
Photographic hide located in Villayandre specially baited with different kinds of grasses to achieve a maximum presence of species of interest such as bullfinches and thrushes. Price 55€ per session.
• GOLDEN EAGLE AND WILD CAT ( 4 places):
One of the most beautiful and surprising hides in the country where golden eagles, wildcats – and recently also Martens – can be seen sharing the food in a tremendously beautiful location. We have doubled the number of hides, and this season we offer 4 places. Price 85€ per session.
• VULTURES AND FOXES (4 places):
Situated on a hill with a spectacular backdrop in the village of Siero de la Reina. Incredible for photographing vultures, buzzards and foxes in winter. The price is 95€ per session.
• OTTERS HIDE (2 places):
In recent decades otters have recovered a large part of their former territories and their populations have experienced a strong increase, thanks mainly to the improvement of the chemical quality of surface waters in the Iberian Peninsula. However, it is still a species whose habits are mainly crepuscular and nocturnal, and they are rarely easily observed on the banks of our rivers. Fortunately, we know certain stretches of river, which the otters like due to their morphological characteristics and availability of food. In this place, there is a good chance to observe and photograph them in great conditions. This photographic hide for 2 people offers the possibility of observing and photographing otters during the winter months, mainly at twilight and at night, with artificial lighting available. The price is 95€ per person per session for two persons, or 125€ per session for one person.
• EUROPEAN BADGER AND PINE MARTEN HIDE IN VALDORE (2 places):
This hide offers an incredible treat: to be able to enjoy badgers and martens at close range! The price is 95€ per person per session for two persons, or 125€ per session for one person.
SPRING SEASON
• HIDES OF BLACK WOODPECKER AND HAWFINCH IN CORNIERO (4 places):
This place is very regularly visited by the black woodpecker, an area of pastures, birch and poplar groves, which holds an extraordinary diversity of forest and mountain birds. The price is 85€ per session.
•HIDES OF BLACK WOODPECKER IN VILLAYANDRE (4 places):
In pastures surrounded by scrubland and walnut trees, here we will try to photograph the woodpeckers (mainly black, also green woodpeckers) in acrobatic postures, while they use the perches in search of food. Together with these woodpeckers, a feeder hidden in a scene that recreates one of the surrounding meadows, will serve to attract bunting, chaffinches, linnets, warblers and robins, among other species. Price 85€ per session.
• EUROPEAN JAY AND COMMON BUZZARD HIDE IN CREMENES (2 places):
Although the jay is a common and well-known corvid, in few places is it as easy to photograph as in this feeder in Crémenes, where they can visit us by the dozens, giving plenty of opportunities to try everything from flights to fights, as well as documenting interesting behaviours, such as how they manage to eat nuts with hard shells. Alongside the jays, other species liven up the feeder, such as buzzards. Price 55€ per session.
• WHITE-THROATED DIPPER (2 portable hides):
We will install the portable hides for you on the banks of the river Dueñas. 85€ per session.
• GOLDEN EAGLES AND WILD CAT (4 seats):
One of the most beautiful and amazing hides in the country where golden eagles, wild cats and, also lately martens, share this feeding area in a tremendously beautiful place. We have doubled the number of hides this season, so we can offer 4 places. Price 85€ per session.
• VULTURES AND FOXES (4 places):
Situated on a hill with a spectacular backdrop in the village of Siero de la Reina. Incredible for photographing vultures, buzzards and foxes in spring. The price is 95€ per session.
• OTTER HIDE (2 places):
In recent decades otters have recovered a large part of their former territories and their populations have experienced a strong increase, thanks mainly to the improvement of the chemical quality of surface waters in the Iberian Peninsula. However, it is still a species whose habits are mainly crepuscular and nocturnal, and they are rarely easily observed on the banks of our rivers. Fortunately, we know certain stretches of river, which the otters like due to their morphological characteristics and availability of food. In this place, there is a good chance to observe and photograph them in great conditions. This photographic hide for 2 people offers the possibility of observing and photographing otters during the spring months, mainly at twilight and at night, with artificial lighting available. The price is 95€ per person per session for two persons, or 125€ per session for one person.
• EUROPEAN BADGER AND PINE MARTEN HIDE IN VALDORE (2 places):
This hide offers an incredible treat: to be able to enjoy badgers and martens at close range! The price is 95€ per person per session for two persons, or 125€ per session for one person.
• RED-BACKED SHRIKE HIDES (2 places):
Portable hides for photographing Red-backed Shrikes in a perch. The price is 80€ per session.
Rates, Vouchers and Workshops on 2024 season
The new winter season in the photographic hides of the RIAÑO MOUNTAIN of WILDWATCHING SPAIN is here.
Again this season, Mario, Pablo and the rest of the guides will continue working in Crémenes, Boca de Huergano and Salamón to offer you new species and proposals that will be of your interest.
This season the single sessions of passerine hides, as a general rule, will have a price of 55€ per session.
And the double hides, with morning and afternoon sessions, or the special hides of golden eagles, wild cat or black woodpecker, will have a price of 85€ per person and day.
Otter, fox or badger hides, due to the complexity of the lighting installations and working hours, have special rates, which will depend on the number of clients visiting.
We offer 8-SESSION VOUCHERS for 310€ and 12-SESSION VOUCHERS for 470€!
2025 PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKSHOPS IN RIAÑO MOUNTAIN HIDES
In addition to our single day hides, we offer multi day workshops with multilingual guides. Un fortunately the brochures are not yet translated into English on the webpage but you can request them in our office in the email info@wildwatchingspain.com
• CANTABRIAN MOUNTAINS WINTER BIRDS I from 2025 Jan 30th to Feb 2nd ver viaje
• CANTABRIAN MOUNTAINS WINTER BIRDS II from 2025 Jan 23th to 26th ver viaje
• CANTABRIAN MOUNTAINS WINTER BIRDS III from 2025 Jan 27th to 30th ver viaje
More information at info@wildwatchingspain.com or by phone at +34-987-740805 (landline) or +34-609-726444 (cell).
Equipment and Services
The passerine feeders are designed to be photographed at a distance of 4.5 metres from our focal plane.
The picidae feeding sites are designed to be photographed at a distance of 6.5 metres, except for the black woodpecker which will be at 8 metres.
Buzzards and kites at 9 metres and golden eagles and vultures at 15 metres.
Tripod is a must. Please also bring a high capacity memory card!
With lenses between 300mm and 500mm we will be able to cover all the needs that arise.
A 400mm telephoto lens is a great all-round lens for all these hides.
During the winter it is highly recommended to wear two pairs of socks, gloves and a hat. This is really necessary during the first hours of the day.
After that, as soon as the sun comes out, the temperature will rise rapidly. It is advisable to wear several layers to adapt to these changes.
Enjoy some pictures taken in our Crémenes and Riaño Mountain Photo Hides
How to get there?
If you visit us driving from from the south, take the N-625, near León, and follow this road up the banks of the river Esla until you reach the N-621, which takes you directly to the town of Crémenes.
If you come from the east or southeast, the CL-626, which passes through villages such as Cervera del Río Pisuerga or Guardo, will take you to the village of Cistierna, where you will join the aforementioned N-625 to reach your destination a few kilometres further up towards Riaño.
If you are travelling from Asturias, you can access the area via the Tarna pass, first taking the AS-117 and then joining the N-621 in the direction of Cistierna, or directly via the Puerto del Pontón pass, along the N-625.
Finally, for customers coming from Santander or Bilbao, the best option is to take the A-8 motorway until you reach the town of Unquera (Cantabria), where you should take the N-621 which, after crossing the San Glorio pass, will take us to the Riaño region and Crémenes.
Acomodation
The HOTEL RURAL HUELDE, is located in the village of Crémenes and has a perfect location to enjoy the hides located in CRÉMENES – VILLAYANDRE and VALLE DE ALIÓN.
It has 14 comfortable heated rooms and a daily menu of excellent quality.
Address, Calle Juan Guereño, 71, 24980 Crémenes, León. Telephone +34-987-711005.
Single room 32€/person and day, 48€ with dinner and breakfast*.
Double room 22€/person and day, 38€ with dinner and breakfast*.
* These rates are based on availability, and could be modified by Hotel Rural Huelde.
* You can also check room tariffs at these two additional collaborating accommodations: Hotel San Glorio and Hotel Tierra de la Reina.
