Hontoria between the Río Lobos and history

The 10.87 km PRC-BU-05 Senda de Hontoria is a circular trail starting and finishing in Hontoria del Pinar, within the municipality of Hontoria del Pinar. It runs entirely through the Parque Natural del Cañón del Río Lobos and showcases the nature park’s flora, fauna, geology and landscape. At 8.81 km, the Senda Espeleológica de Hontoria del Pinar is also a circular trail starting and finishing in Hontoria del Pinar; it leads to caves and shafts in the Burgos section of the Parque Natural del Cañón del Río Lobos.

The PR-SO-BU-65 Senda del Río follows the Río Lobos through the Parque Natural del Cañón del Río Lobos and crosses the river several times. This 25 km linear trail ends in Hontoria del Pinar beside the Roman bridge. In heavy rain, the river crossings along this route may become difficult or impossible. The different trail types and distances can be incorporated separately into your own daily itinerary.

Nature

The Parque Natural del Cañón del Río Lobos extends across the municipalities of Hontoria del Pinar in Burgos, as well as San Leonardo de Yagüe, Casarejos, Santa María de las Hoyas, Herrera de Soria, Nafría de Ucero and Ucero in Soria. The nature park is a limestone canyon more than 25 km long, formed by river erosion and flanked by cliffs with height differences of more than 100 m.

Trails and routes

The Hontoria del Pinar–San Leonardo de Yagüe stage of the Camino Natural Santander–Mediterráneo begins in the centre of Hontoria del Pinar, is slightly more than nine kilometres long and connects the provinces of Burgos and Soria. Before the access point to the Parque Natural del Cañón del Río Lobos, this stage passes a picnic area; griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) fly among and nest on the cliffs there.

The Camino Soriano is fully signposted. It can be travelled on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback. Its route passes a few hundred metres from the centre of Hontoria del Pinar and through the district of Aldea del Pinar. Different lengths, trail types and modes of travel offer several clearly distinguishable planning options.

Other places: Arenillas de Villadiego, Valdenoceda, Atapuerca, Castrillo de la Vega, San Vicente del Valle, Cilleruelo de Bezana, Quintanilla San García and Villamartín De Villadiego.

History and architectural heritage

The settlement of Hontoria del Pinar as it is known today emerged in the 9th to 10th centuries during the Reconquista and repopulation. In the 18th century, Hontoria del Pinar experienced significant economic growth as a member of the Real Cabaña de Carreteros.

The Puente romano de Hontoria del Pinar spans the Río Lobos. The Roman road linking Clunia and Uxama ran across its site. The former buildings of Hontoria del Pinar railway station are completely preserved, with the exception of the warehouse. The former resin distillation plant in Navas del Pinar forms part of Hontoria del Pinar’s industrial heritage.

The Romanesque chapel can be reached via the Roman bridge and the uphill path leading to the church, which stands on rocky terrain. The original Romanesque chapel preserves a portal with a semicircular arch dating from the 11th century.

Traditions

The Fiesta del Mayo is celebrated every year on 1 May in Hontoria del Pinar and is classified as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Castilla y León. After the maypole is erected, girls perform dances around it at the Fiesta del Mayo. The Fiesta del Mayo includes a communal meal for the participating young men featuring traditional caldereta serrana.

Back to the main travel overview: Burgos.