This site is managed thanks to the custody agreement signed between FNYH and the Maoño Neighborhood Council (Santa Cruz de Bezana).

Peñas Negras is located at a crossroads between the municipalities of Santa Cruz de Bezana, Camargo and Piélagos, although the entire reserve is located in Santa Cruz de Bezana.

Peñas Negras is characterized by the presence of a relict forest such as the Cantabrian coastal holm oak forest. The presence of these forests can be considered a relic of an earlier era when the climate was more arid, close to the conditions of the interior of the peninsula. A perennial forest that has remained in the Cantabrian Mountains in the soils with less water retention capacity, mainly limestone and steep mountains.

The most characteristic species is the holm oak, an evergreen tree or bush whose acorns are highly appreciated by the fauna. It is accompanied by other species with succulent fruits such as the strawberry tree, holly, sloe, hazelnut or butcher’s-broom. In addition to these, the common gorse, small bush, covers a large part of the reserve in competition with the oaks. Also, there are areas covered by eucalyptus trees in the reserve, which are gradually being replaced by the native forest, thanks to management work.

This relict forest is home to a great deal of fauna. Nocturnal and diurnal birds stand out, such as barn owls, tawny owls and little owls, among the nocturnal ones, and buzzards, sparrowhawks and kestrels, among the diurnal ones. The most common mammals are foxes, badgers, martens and weasels.

The reserve is equipped with signposted interpretive trails, interpretive signs and a splendid viewpoint on the summit of Alto de Gigüela. This path allows us to enter the holm oak forest and observe from the heights the views offered by the surroundings of the Bay of Santander.

FNYH is currently working on the mountain to prevent the spread of invasive species, encourage the development of the holm oak forest into a mature forest and prevent the spread of fire.

Collaborators:

• Maoño Neighborhood Council.
• Santa Cruz de Bezana City Council.
• Department of the Environment of the Government of Cantabria.