Stage 2.1: Aldea de Ebro - San Martín de Elines
Description
The route begins in Aldea de Ebro (815 m), and runs east to the road to Mediadoro. Immediately after is an oak-lined track that descends to Albergue Brook. The route then climbs up a wide track, first through a dense forest, then an open field, until it reaches the walls of Mediadoro fields (2.4 km, 55min).
There are wonderful views of Aldea de Ebro and its surroundings during the climb and once in the town. To the south tower the mountains covered with beeches, Portuguese oaks, and black pines, and the open lands that unfold to the Ebro Reservoir and the Cantabrian Mountains. To the north lies Mediadoro with interesting mountain-style architecture and the modern parish church of Santa Bárbara.
The route continues east along the dirt track, towards Bandurrina, through a vast area carpeted with “tasca” (highland pastures), where horses and cattle graze in the summer: a vignette of the mountain economy.
The track makes a large detour, then continues to climb up Mount Hijedo. Past a gate, it turns left, and heads uphill through pine trees. There are excellent panoramic views from the summit, including the oak forest of Mount Hijedo to the north.
The route descends to La Serna (11.7 km, 3hr 35min), with fine examples of folk architecture, stone houses emblazoned with coats-of-arms, two fountains with drinking troughs, and a modern church. The path descends from the north into the town and turns onto another northbound track that leads to the highest point. Through grass slopes, the route descends to the place known as “Colmenar del Tío Alejandro”. To the north lies the wide panoramic landscape of Hijedo, and Riopanero to the east.
The descent is fast, through scrubland, until the route ventures into an oak forest and crosses a torrent that flows into Hijedo Brook. Past the forest, the stream begins to flow more rapidly again. The route comes upon the track next to the abovementioned brook, and continues to the right until Riopanero (16.1 km, 5hr).
The route then winds down along a grass path, through cherry trees, low stone walls and huge oaks to the road to Ruerrero. Further along this road, it reaches Riopanero mill, and crosses the brook over the namesake bridge to continue along the old road to the village.
Flanked by oaks, riparian species and farmlands (which a rich diversity of birdlife and vegetation), the route reaches Ruerrero and its medieval tower. The town (21.7 km, 6hr 35min) boasts an arcaded square and the 17th century church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves. The delicious “Valluco” cheese may be purchased here.
The route leaves Ruerrero to the east, near the road to Repudio. On the opposite side of the road is the track that crosses San Roque Brook, and climbs up Mount Cadalso (792 m). Past the landscapes of Valderredible, the image of Repudio appears on the opposite bank of the brook. The route skirts around the mountain and ventures into Portuguese oak forests. The track heads past Santa María de Hito, a small hamlet with the beautiful Romanesque shrine of Santa María, with sixteenth-century additions. Another track between fields links the route to the road to Hito Villaverde (25.7 km, 7hr 45min), one kilometre away. This town has beautiful stone architecture, a 12th century Romanesque church and a picnic area. In the higher end of the town is a track from where good views of the Ebro Canyon can be seen to the east, and San Martín de Elines and Población de Abajo, to the south.
The entrance to Arroyuelos can be found past the cave shrine of San Asciclo and Santa Victoria and the hamlet of Arroyuelos. This Section ends at the Romanesque collegiate church of San Martín de Elines, in the namesake town (710 m, 28.5 km, 8hr 30min).
Profile
MIDE (Method for the Information of Excursions)
Harshness of natural environment- 1. The environment is not risk-free
- 2. There are more than one risk factors
- 3. There are various risk factors
- 4. There are quite a lot of risk factors
- 5. There are many risk factors
Guidance along the route- 1. Well defined trails and crossings
- 2. There is a clearly marked trail and signage
- 3. Requires the identification of geographic features and cardinal points
- 4. Requires off-path navigation
- 5. The trail is interrupted by obstacles that have to be gone around
Route difficulty- 1. Walking on a flat surface
- 2. Trails with different types of path
- 3. Walking on stepped paths or irregular terrain
- 4. The use of hands or jumping over the terrain is necessary
- 5. The use of hands is required to progress
Amount of effort needed- 1. Up to 1 hour of continuous walking
- 2. Between 1 and 3 hours of continuous walking
- 3. Between 3 and 6 hours of continuous walking
- 4. Between 6 and 10 hours of actual walking
- 5. More than 10 hours of continuous walking
Featured
Further information
The oak forest of Mount Hijedo
The largest oak forest in Spain, and one of the largest in Europe, can be found at Mount Hijedo, south of the Ebro Reservoir; a 1,200 ha swath of sessile oak forest (Quercus petraea), spanning parts of Cantabria and Burgos. This forest, together with the reforestation pine trees in the area, is home to a rich diversity of wildlife (wolves, deer, bobcats, etc.). At Riopanero, the Monte Hijedo Interpretation Centre proposes various tourist routes through the forest.
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