Valdoré – Roman Road, Geology and Festivals

Valdoré takes you directly to traces that connect widely separated periods and the history of the Earth. The section of the Roman Road beginning in Valdoré is considered the section that has best withstood the passage of the centuries. In Valdoré, at the place known as “Los Castros”, there is clear evidence of Celtic castros.

Culture and History

The festival of the Assumption of Our Lady is celebrated in Valdoré every year on 15 August. The Santa Águeda festival is celebrated in Valdoré every year on 5 February. This provides two clearly identified dates for placing events in time, which can be considered separately when planning a trip.

Geology and Landscape

A geological site of particular interest lies in the surroundings of the Valdoré cemetery, on the slope immediately northwest of the car park at the village bridge and along the right bank of the Río Esla. On the path between the car park and the Valdoré cemetery, a Devonian sequence can be identified within the first 200 to 250 metres.

At Pajar del Diablo, the erosion resistance of the hard quartzites of the Barrios Formation creates a large, deeply incised double meander of the river. From Pajar del Diablo, three fossilised volcanic vents can be seen in an east-southeast direction; they are overlain by dark pyroclastic sandstones and embedded in the upper part of the quartzites of the Barrios Formation. For your own orientation, the shape of the river, rock layers and volcanic remnants can be understood as different levels of observation.

Paths and Interpretation

The geological site at Pajar del Diablo can be explored on foot in less than an hour along the fully walkable, signposted PR-LE 36–Camino Real route; access is possible from Valdoré or Villayandre. The signposted PR-LE 36 route runs linearly from Valdoré to Las Salas, is approximately 11 kilometres long and has around 200 metres of elevation gain. The information on duration, route, length and elevation gain provides you with different parameters for your own planning.

The mobile app “Calzada Romana. Crémenes” serves as an audio guide and automatically starts different audio texts at the individual sights along the route. It also offers audio descriptions and an option for descriptions in sign language. When comparing holiday apartments in Valdoré, you can check the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer page. The planning of your stay can be organised separately around paths, geology and culture.

Further destinations: Puente De Domingo Flórez, Brugos de Fenar, Benavides de Órbigo, Las Médulas, San Cipriano Del Condado, Corullón, Oseja De Sajambre, Robles De Laciana

Geographical Context

From a hill located south of Valdoré, a panoramic view opens up of the overthrust of the Manto del Esla, through which the materials of this structural unit lie above the Manto de Corniero.

For the broader travel overview: León.