The Merindades

When:

Where:

Specific place:

Burgos, Araba and Cantabria: Medina de Pomar - Oña - Quintana Martín Galíndez - Villañane - Quincoces de Yuso - Espinosa de los Monteros - Puentedey - Orbaneja del Castillo - Dobro - Trespaderne - Medina de Pomar

Length:

2 weeks

Level:

Challenging

IBP Index:

Type:

Bike Touring

Nature

Group min/máx:

4-8 people

The beech wood forest of Monte Santiago

This is a circular route of a couple of weeks by the beautiful landscapes of the Merindades, the region where merge the plateau and the Cantabrian mountains, and begins the Atlantic forest and the Basque land.

Located at the north of the province of Burgos, cradle of Castilla for their many castles, house some of the most beautiful km of the peninsula, through beech wood forests, oak forests, gorges... where you will find cave paintings, waterfalls and some of the best examples of the Romanesque architecture. Deserve mention apart the riverside trails of the Gorges of the River Ebro, one more pearl of this ride. The route is full of demanding sections along tracks and paths, some trial section and some technical steps. Total distance is 375 kms with arrival and departure in Medina de Pomar, and it can be achieved in two separate weeks.

Frías is a member of the net the most beautiful towns of Spain.

Espinosa de los Monteros is part of the network of the magical towns of Spain.

Since 1996 the caves of Ojo Güareña, and since 1998 the Monte Santiago, are Natural Monuments.

Also this route runs through the Hoces del Alto Ebro and Rudrón Natural Park, and the Montes Obarenes, sites classified as SCI (Site of Community Importance). Montes Obarenes, is as well an area protected as SPA (Special Protection Area) in the Natura 2000 network.

Scheduled itinerary:

Day 1.- Transportation to Medina de Pomar. Ride from Medina to Oña (41 km), by the Hocinos gorge and the Valdivieso valley. Visit to San Pedro de Tejada in Puente Arenas and the monastery of San Salvador of Oña. Lodging.
Day 2.- Ride from Oña to Quintana Martín Galíndez (26 km), by the Montes Obarenes-San Zadornil Natural Park, and the Tobalina valley. Visit to the Tobera water falls, the castle of Frías, and the Peña del Mazo archeological site in Pajares. Lodging.
Day 3.- Ride from Quintana to Villañañe (29 km), by the Purón river gorge and the Montes Obarenes-San Zadornil, and Valderejo Natural Parks. Lodging.
Day 4.- Ride from Villañane to Quincoces de Yuso (48 km), by the Natural Monument of Monte Santiago and the Mena valley. Lodging.
Day 5.- Ride from Quincoces to Espinosa de los Monteros (45 km). Visit to the chapel of San Pantaleón de Losa, and the lagoons of Gayangos. Lodging at La Casa del Montero.
Day 6.- Rest day in Espinosa, visits to the historical center and the Monte Edilla oak forest. Lodging at La Casa del Montero.
Day 7.- Ride from Espinosa to Puentedey (30 km), by the Natural Monument of Ojo Guareña. Visit to cave and chapel of San Justo and San Bernabé. Lodging.
Day 8.- Ride from Puentedey to Orbaneja del Castillo (48 km). Climbing of Carrales mountain pass and riding by the gorge of the river Ebro. Visit to the hermit shelter of San Miguel in Presillas. Lodging.
Day 9.- Ride from Orbaneja to Dobro (37 km), by the River Ebro gorge Natural Park. Visit to the dolmen of Cotorrita in Porquera del Butrón. Lodging at Casa Rural La Nogala.
Day 10.- Ride from Dobro to Trespaderne (30 km), by the medieval carriageway of El Almiñé and the La Horadada gorge. Visit to the Tartalés water fall and the cave of the Portuguese. Lodging.
Day 11.- Ride from Trespaderne to Medina de Pomar (23 km). Visit to the Visitors Center of La Horadada. Farewell lunch. Transportation back home.