Pradillo: Forest, Culture and Trails along the Río Iregua

Pradillo lies directly on the N-111, which connects Logroño with Soria. The Río Iregua flows through Pradillo, forming a beautiful riparian woodland there. Pradillo’s natural area is predominantly forested; its vegetation includes beech trees, oaks, holm oaks and scrubland, among other species.

Culture and History

The advertising benches of Pradillo are protected as Bien Cultural de Interés Regional and are listed in La Rioja’s regional register of cultural assets. They consist of fourteen concrete benches arranged in two rows of seven. Their backrests bear advertising signs dating from 1935, made from ceramic tiles by the Cerámicas Riojanas factory.

The Iglesia de San Martín combines a Baroque section with a section dating from the 18th century. The Oficina de Turismo de Cameros is housed in the El Hórreo de Pradillo building next to the church and provides specialised information on rural tourism, mountain excursions, hiking and outdoor sports activities. El Hórreo de Pradillo also houses a permanent exhibition of Almazuelas.

Pradillo has preserved three hanging traditional home bread ovens and one vertical home bread oven. The Ruta de los hornos colgados showcases examples of vernacular architecture that recall the domestic tradition of baking bread in these ovens. Above the Río Iregua stands the Ermita del Villar, a chapel built in 1760 with Baroque carvings and paintings.

The festivities in honour of the Virgen del Villar, Pradillo’s patron saint, take place on the last weekend of August and include a dance performed by young people from the town. During the Almazuelas Colgadas event, women who make Almazuelas display their work in El Prado, on the streets and in the squares, and hang Almazuelas from the windows and balconies of the houses. Pradillo’s Almazuelas Colgadas are recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de La Rioja.

Nature and Landscape

El Prado is a shady area for resting and relaxing, with chestnut and lime trees. The Roble Gordo or Roble de Las Palomas is a distinctive solitary tree that can be reached from Pradillo in about half an hour on foot and is listed in La Rioja’s inventory of notable trees. The marked trail begins at the granja de Las Llanas on the N-111 towards Logroño, less than two kilometres from Pradillo.

The Pradillo–Villanueva variant reaches Pradillo after crossing an oak grove and old cultivated land and passing over a large 18th-century bridge. It runs through extensive oak forests and the small limestone cliffs of the Congosto de Peñamiel; its route also extends into the boundaries of the Natura 2000 site Sierras de Demanda, Urbión, Cebollera y Cameros.

Trails and Activities

The Vía Romana del Iregua stretches for 56.8 kilometres between Viguera and Puerto de Piqueras. The Ruta en BTT: Valle del Iregua is 23.5 kilometres long and rated moderate; its route leads into the forest and descends to Pradillo.

Alternative Stage 2a begins at the bridge of Almarza and runs parallel to the Río Iregua through Pradillo and Villanueva de Cameros. Near Pradillo, it offers a four-kilometre detour to Montemediano. The different route lengths and landscapes can be considered side by side for your personal day planning.

Other places: Daroca De Rioja, Anguiano, Villoslada de Cameros, Sajazarra, Albelda De Iregua, San Asensio, Grávalos, Treviana

For the main travel overview: La Rioja.