Discover Neila: Nature, Trails and Romanesque Culture

The Lagunas Glaciares de Neila Nature Park is characterized by glacial geomorphological formations and is home to diverse flora and fauna, including boreo-alpine and orophilous species.

Nature

The nature park is included in the ZEPA ES 4120012 Special Protection Area for Birds, “Sierra de la Demanda,” and in the LIC ES 4120092 Site of Community Importance, “Sierra de la Demanda.” Several lakes of glacial origin are listed in the Regional Catalogue of Wetlands of Special Interest in Castilla y León: Laguna Negra, Laguna de la Cascada, Laguna Larga, Laguna de Las Pardillas, Laguna de Los Patos, Laguna Brava, Laguna Oruga and Laguna Muñalba.

Trails

The Sendero de las Lagunas de Neila is an 8 km circular hiking trail. It begins and ends at the Las Lagunas de Neila car park and takes 3.5 to 4 hours.

The Senda del Collado de Neila begins and ends either at the Casa del Parque de Neila (Iglesia de San Miguel) or at Puerto del Collado.

The two trail descriptions provide different points of reference for planning the day. For the Sendero, the circular route, starting and finishing point, and stated duration are summarized; this makes it possible to classify the trail as a clearly defined stage of eight kilometres taking 3.5 to 4 hours. The Senda, on the other hand, lists two possible starting and finishing points. When choosing between the trails, it therefore remains clear whether the focus is on a clearly defined loop or on a route with an optional reference point.

Culture

The Iglesia de San Miguel is a Romanesque church protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest. Among other features, its apse, tower and one of the oldest tomb slabs in the Romanesque architecture of Burgos Province have been preserved.

The Casa del Parque de las Lagunas Glaciares de Neila is located in this former Romanesque church in Neila.

Every year in July, the inhabitants of Neila reenact the tradition of transhumance.

Getting There

The official route from Burgos to Neila initially follows the N-234, then the C-113, and, at Barbadillo de Pez, the BU-821.

These roads form a clearly defined sequence from Burgos to Neila: the N-234 is followed by the C-113, before the BU-821 takes over the route at Barbadillo de Pez.

Surroundings

The surroundings of Neila include Mount Campiña, the Sierra de Urbión mountain range and the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel church.

In the wider regional area around Neila are the Monasterio de Valvanera monastery, Cerro San Lorenzo, Monte Marañón, the Museo Etnológico Victoriano Labiano museum and the Iglesia de San Quirico Y Santa Julita church.

The destinations in the surrounding area therefore cover both natural and cultural attractions: Campiña, Sierra de Urbión and Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel are nearby, while the wider regional area includes additional mountains, a monastery, a museum and a church.

Other places:Sotragero, La Horra, Rebolledo De La Torre, San Juan De Ortega, Quintanilla del Agua, Cebolleros, Busto De Bureba, Cótar

For the higher-level travel overview: Burgos.