Quick FactsOverview
About Termas de La Hermida
Termas de La Hermida, Spain is a set of free natural thermal pools in the Deva River gorge in Cantabria, in the small village of La Hermida at the edge of the Picos de Europa mountain range. Three hot springs emerge directly in the riverbed at approximately 60 degrees Celsius, flowing at around 8 litres per second. The water is a chloride-sodium type with roughly 4 grams of minerals per litre. Bathers build small stone-walled pools in the river that trap the hot water and blend it with the cold Deva flow, typically reaching a comfortable temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius. Potes, the main town of the Liebana valley, is the nearest larger community with services.
These aguas termales sit directly beside the N-621 road, just under the bridge leading to the historic Balneario de La Hermida, a 19th-century hotel spa that was abandoned for decades and reopened in 2006. The village itself has fewer than 100 residents and sits in the shadow of the Desfiladero de La Hermida, one of the longest river gorges in Spain. Pools form naturally only when the Deva River is low, typically from June to October.
These are among the most atmospheric free hot springs in Spain, especially popular with climbers finishing nearby via ferrata routes.
Location & Access
Getting to Termas de La Hermida
Termas de La Hermida is reached by a short walk from the roadside of the N-621, directly in the village of La Hermida on the bank of the Deva River under the bridge leading to the Balneario de La Hermida. There is no formal trail. Visitors park along the road through the village or near the balneario entrance and walk down the riverbank. No hiking is required.
From Potes, the drive takes approximately 20 minutes north on the N-621. From Santander, the drive is approximately 1.5 hours west via the A-8 and N-621. From Bilbao, the drive is approximately 2.5 hours west. The N-621 is the main route through the Desfiladero de La Hermida gorge and is a scenic drive in its own right, with sheer limestone walls rising hundreds of metres above the road. For visitors seeking hot springs near Potes, these are the closest free wild thermal pools in Cantabria.
Picos de Europa Region
La Hermida sits just east of the Picos de Europa National Park, Spain first national park and one of the most dramatic limestone mountain landscapes in Europe. The village is a convenient base for hikers, climbers, and visitors to the Liebana valley, the Fuente De cable car, and the medieval monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana. The Deva River gorge itself offers kayaking, canoeing, and via ferrata routes near the thermal pools.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Should Visit Termas de La Hermida
Termas de La Hermida suits adventurous travellers, climbers, and road-trippers through the Picos de Europa region seeking a free, atmospheric wild thermal soaking experience in a dramatic river gorge. The warm water blended with cold river flow sits at a comfortable soaking temperature when the pools can be formed, and the surrounding limestone cliffs and steam rising from the river make the setting particularly memorable in early morning or at dusk. The site is a popular reward after climbing one of the two nearby via ferrata routes (La Hermida and El Milar).
Pools can only be formed when the Deva is low, generally from June to October, and are not reliably available after heavy rain or during spring snowmelt. The site has become increasingly crowded in recent years and fills up after dark with locals and tourists. Those exploring free hot springs Spain offers with more consistent year-round access should visit Pozas de Arnedillo in La Rioja or Pozas de Alhama de Granada in Andalusia.
Accessibility at Termas de La Hermida
The riverbed is uneven, slippery, and requires stepping over stones. The site is not wheelchair accessible. Visitors seeking a developed thermal spa experience should visit the adjacent Balneario de La Hermida, the restored 19th-century hotel balneario with indoor thermal pools and treatments open year-round to day visitors and overnight guests.
Safety & Etiquette
Termas de La Hermida Safety Tips
Termas de La Hermida is generally safe for careful bathers in low-river conditions, but the springs emerge at approximately 60 degrees Celsius and bathers must never enter the water directly at the source, where contact can cause scalding. Always let the hot water mix with the cold Deva flow in a stone-walled pool and test the temperature carefully before entering. Limit soaking sessions to approximately 20 minutes and alternate with the cold river to avoid overheating and low blood pressure.
The riverbed stones are slippery when wet. Water shoes are strongly recommended. Supervise children at all times, especially around the hotter source and the main river current.
River and Gorge Safety
The Deva River rises quickly after heavy rain. Do not attempt to use the pools during or after storms. Spring snowmelt from March through May typically keeps the river too high and cold for pools to form. The gorge is prone to rockfall from the limestone cliffs above the road and river. Check conditions before travelling. Cell service in the gorge can be patchy.
Rules and Etiquette
Do not use soap, shampoo, gel, or any other detergents in the water, as they pollute both the pools and the river downstream. Pack out all trash. Respect the Balneario de La Hermida private property above the bridge. The pools are a shared public space, so build and leave stone walls for others to use, and avoid monopolising the hottest spots. Visit during daylight for easier footing and clearer temperature control.
