Cerezo de Arriba: Sierra de Ayllón, Trails and Culture

La Pinilla is located in Cerezo de Arriba, in the Sierra de Ayllón massif, within the municipality of Cerezo de Arriba in the province of Segovia. At the foot of Cerezo de Arriba are the slopes of the La Pinilla winter sports resort, where skiing, downhill mountain biking, multi-activity pursuits and hiking are possible. Pico del Lobo reaches 2,274 metres and is the highest point of the Sierra de Ayllón in the municipality of Cerezo de Arriba.

Nature

The Cañada Real Soriana Occidental crosses Cerezo de Arriba and forms part of the network of nature trails. As a publicly maintained and signposted nature trail, it can be explored in several stages on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Different types of activity and several stages can be incorporated separately into a personal itinerary.

El Mirador is a viewpoint in the surroundings of Cerezo de Arriba. La Cebollera, Lobo and Alto de Calahorra are mountains in this area. Santia is a peak in the wider regional surroundings of Cerezo de Arriba.

Culture

The Church of San Juan Bautista is a Romanesque religious building with three windows whose capitals are decorated with depictions of various fantastic animals. The former entrance to the church was remodelled in the Renaissance style; inside there is a significant Baroque altarpiece.

The hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Cerezuelo in Cerezo de Arriba was built in the 16th century as a place of prayer. It stands in a meadow between Cerezo de Arriba and Cerezo de Abajo. From the hermitage, the Sierra de Ayllón, the Sierra de Guadarrama and the Puerto de Somosierra can be seen.

In the surroundings of the hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Cerezuelo, the inhabitants of Cerezo de Arriba hold a pilgrimage every year at the beginning of September in honour of the Virgin of Cerezuelo. The Romería de la Virgen de Cerezuelo includes placing a floral wreath on the roof of the hermitage's porch.

The hermitage of San Benito near Cerezo de Arriba receives pilgrimages every year from Cerezo de Arriba, Cerezo de Abajo and Riofrío de Riaza. It lies on the slopes of a landscape once known as “Sierra Buitrera” and is surrounded by oak trees. The site of the hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Cerezuelo appears to be connected with the former settlement of Cerezuelo, which was incorporated into the municipal association in 1393.

Activities

Cerezo de Arriba has a forest adventure park with high-altitude activities in the trees. The Ruta del Río Duratón includes Cerezo de Arriba as one of the places along its route. Hoces del rio Duraton is a park in the wider regional surroundings of Cerezo de Arriba.

Other places: Casla, Tizneros, Castroserna De Abajo, Chañe, Castillejo De Mesleón, Valverde Del Majano, Villacorta, Chatún

For the main travel overview: Segovia.