Discover Valoria: Sendero Real, festivals and history

Trails and getting there

The Sendero Real passes through Valoria and highlights the small Ermita de San Pantaleón. As an easy route for hiking and mountain biking, the trail is suitable for all groups. The combination of physical activity and cultural interest provides a clear focus for personal planning. The two perspectives can be weighted separately if you prefer an active day or one focused more strongly on local history.

Valoria can be reached via the CA-376, using the CA-135 and the turn-off near La Hayuela. This makes specific road connections the main consideration when travelling there.

Culture and townscape

The name Valoria is interpreted as “golden valley” or “valley of gold”; this interpretation is associated with the local extraction of zinc- and lead-rich minerals, particularly sphalerite. At the beginning of the 19th century, the construction of the industrial kiln at the Tejera de La Venta de Valoria marked the beginning of the decline of the pre-industrial kilns.

Valoria has a former washing place that has been restored. The village contains rows of traditional Montañes houses. This type of house is characterised by stone and wood, as well as solanas, which usually face south. The history of the name, the history of work and the architecture each offer distinct points of interest that you can consider alongside one another when exploring the village.

Festival tradition

The annual San Pantaleón Festival in Valoria is held on 29 July. The programme includes a mass, the Picayos dance in honour of the saint, and an evening Romería and Verbena. For personal planning, this festive experience differs clearly from the route, architectural heritage and historical interpretations; the topics can be weighted according to your own interests.

When planning your days, you can treat physical activity, architectural details, festival culture and historical questions as separate interests. This kind of weighting is useful when not all travellers share the same priorities.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Valoria, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the respective accommodation pages. In addition, you can use your preferred combination of route, architectural heritage, festival tradition and history as a personal selection guide.

Other places

If you would also like to explore places at the same higher administrative level, Canales is another place that can be included in your exploration.

History

One theory identifies the ancient name Valobriga with present-day Valoria. The Valobriga hypothesis refers to a possible permanent settlement from Roman times, which may have been connected with the extraction of minerals in the surrounding area.

The Valobriga hypothesis is also cited as an argument for the possible existence of a Roman branch of the Pisoraca–Costa Cantábrica road. The possible branch passed through Udías and ran towards Comillas and San Vicente de la Barquera.

For the overview of the wider area: Udías.