Start of the Santoña - Faro del Caballo Hike: Santa María del Puerto Church (Santoña).

Leave the church on your left, walking along San Miguel Street, then turn right onto Prim Street until you reach Monte Street (the second on the left), which will lead you to Fort San Martín via a steep ascent.

Important. From this uphill stretch, car access is only authorized for residents. There is no longer any parking in this area for non-residents, and parking in the surrounding area is not permitted (unless you are a resident). So, don't drive up here, check out where to park in Santoña so you can plan ahead. 🚗🚫

Just after the climb, at the top of the fort, there's a junction with two possible directions. Take the path to the right, along the coast, and continue straight, uphill. About 100 meters ahead, take the left uphill path. If you took the downhill road to the right, you would reach the monument of the Virgin del Puerto and Fort San Carlos. From here on, the road becomes a stone and dirt track.

Continue along the edge of Mount Buciero until you reach the viewpoint of Punta or Peña del Fraile. You've covered 2.30 km in about 35 min. Continue uphill until you complete an hour of walking (kilometer 3.40), where you'll find a junction. The left path indicates the way to Fort del Mazo; continuing straight would take you around Mount Buciero to Faro del Pescador, and taking the right path will lead you to Faro del Caballo, indicated by wooden vertical signage. Only about 15 minutes left to finish the route. 🏞️🚶‍♂️

A moment later, you'll be at the last junction, where you'll choose between Batería de San Felipe and Faro del Caballo. In an instant, you'll face the first of the 763 steps you'll need to descend to reach the lighthouse. The steep slope, narrowness, and height of the steps make the descent challenging. Throughout most of the route, there's a steel cable acting as a handrail, along with small resting areas to let others pass.

At the end of the descent is the cylindrical-shaped tower of the lighthouse, where you can no longer climb to its deck via a few spiral interior steps. The focal plane height is 24 meters above sea level and 13.36 meters above ground. 🌊🕯️

If you want to touch the water, you have to descend another 111 steps. The start of these stairs is on the right side of the lighthouse's esplanade. Almost at water level, there's a rope attached to the rock wall, like a vine. Swimming at Faro del Caballo is NOT allowed due to the risk involved. 🏊‍♂️🚫

It's time to return. You can either go back the way you came or complete the entire circular route around Monte Buciero, passing by Faro del Pescador, until you reach Berria Beach. If you choose the latter, follow this route. 🔄🏞️