As a whole, the Cantabrian Mountains are remarkable for their intricate ramifications, but almost everywhere, and especially in the east, it is possible to distinguish two principal ranges, from which the lesser ridges and mountain masses radiate.
I deres helhed er de Kantabriske bjerge bemærkelsesværdige for deres kringlede forgreninger, men næsten overalt, og særligt mod øst, kan man skelne to hovedkæder, som de mindre kamme og bjergpas løber ud fra.