Discover Pinedo: Caves, Hiking Trails and Churches

The Peña de Santiago rock and cave complex is located just before Pinedo at a turnoff. Access includes earth steps and a path along a rock face. The visit therefore begins at a clearly named landscape feature and leads directly to the rock formation.

Culture and History

At Peña Santiago, a two-storey cave was created around the 6th or 7th century in a limestone rock overhang at an altitude of 660 m. In Pinedo are the church and necropolis of San Juan. The caves of Pinedo were used as hermitages until the beginning of the 19th century. This site therefore brings together a specific cave architecture as well as ecclesiastical and eremitic history. The various sites combine a rock overhang, a two-storey cave and the sacred places of Pinedo into a closely defined cultural theme.

Hiking Trails

The Valdegovía Hermit Caves Route passes through Pinedo. It follows the GR 1 – Historical Trail and leads to the caves. The route from Pinedo to Corro follows the historic GR 1 hiking trail. It descends to the Arroyo de Pinedo near the road to Basabe, running between fields and the Canalejas slope and passing through a mixed forest of Pyrenean oaks, holm oaks and holly below a rock face. Along this section, the descent to the stream, open fields, the slope and the shady mixed forest alternate. For hikes on such trails, it is advisable to check the current trail conditions before setting out. Routes with rock faces, forest sections and proximity to streams should be checked against the current trail conditions before setting out. For circular routes, the planned starting point and the turnoffs are part of the usual preparation. Hikes also benefit from allowing suitable time reserves for changing trail sections.

Further Routes

The circular route from Pinedo to the Santiago Caves and Alto del Rodil begins in the centre of Pinedo. After 300 m on the access road, a sign at a turnoff points to the path to the Santiago Caves. Current information about trail conditions can also be checked before a hike.

Landscape

Mount El Cueto and Alto de la Mota are located in the area around Pinedo. In the wider regional surroundings are the Salto del Nervion waterfall and La Cotorra mountain.

Culture in the Wider Area

In the wider regional surroundings of Pinedo are the Castle of Miranda de Ebro and the churches Iglesia de San Vicente de Añes, Iglesia de San Juan and Iglesia de Santa María. The churches and the castle complement the local cultural theme with further historic buildings in the surrounding region. When visiting churches, travellers can check current opening hours in advance. Churches may have different opening hours; current visiting times can be checked before a visit.

Other Places

Other places: Gurendes, Lukiano, Campezo / Kanpezu, Manurga, Oion, Viñaspre, Añes, Maturana

To the overarching travel overview: Alava.