Villoslada de Cameros – Trails, History and Sierra Cebollera

The Sendero Autoguiado de Villoslada leads through the most distinctive areas of Villoslada de Cameros and showcases both its architecture and the town’s pastoral and transhumance traditions. The signposted local trail takes about one hour and includes 11 stations.

Nature and trails

The Sierra Cebollera Interpretation Centre is located in Villoslada de Cameros at the intersection of the road to Montenegro and the road to the Ermita de Lomos de Orios. There you will find the interactive exhibition “Sierra de Cebollera: refugio atlántico en un mundo mediterráneo”, which can be visited and understood by all visitor groups. Villoslada de Cameros is the starting point for visiting Sierra Cebollera. The natural area associated with the town belongs to a protected area in La Rioja with well-preserved wildlife populations, extensive natural forests and glacial landforms.

The Sendero de la Virgen follows the traditional route used by pilgrims during the procession between the Ermita de Lomos de Orios and Villoslada de Cameros. It is a 7.4-kilometre linear trail with a cumulative elevation gain of 400 metres and a moderate level of difficulty. Its route passes through pine forests, scrubland, grassland and beech forests; opportunities for observing woodland birds are available along the way. The different trail types and route details help you compare the options by route, length and theme.

The Sendero de la Dehesa is a circular trail that starts and ends in Villoslada de Cameros. It passes through a dehesa boyal, where numerous Pyrenean oaks have been preserved, and leads to a Roman stele on a mountain pass with views over the valley and Villoslada de Cameros in the lower valley area.

The Sendero de las Cascadas offers views of the Ermita de Lomos de Orios, a shepherd’s hut, pine forests and the waterfalls of Puente Ra. The Caridad Grande pilgrimage site can be reached from Villoslada de Cameros by car via a road, as well as via the signposted Sendero de la Virgen and Sendero de las Cascadas trails.

Culture and history

The Vía Romana del Iregua, a former Roman road between Varea and Numancia, passes through the nature park and Villoslada de Cameros. In the parish church of Nuestra Señora del Sagrario, the town’s architectural history takes centre stage: the church dates from the 16th century and preserves elements of an earlier Romanesque church from the 11th or 12th century. The bridge commonly referred to as the “Puente romano” is actually of medieval origin and probably dates from the 15th century.

The former cloth factory and wool-washing facility of Villoslada de Cameros are part of the area’s historic working life. It covered 2,000 square metres over three floors and had space for up to 40 looms in operation. The former factory was powered by water: water diverted from the Iregua entered the building through an underground tunnel and powered the looms.

A 16th-century house on Callejón de la Panadería is considered the birthplace of Fray Sebastián de Villoslada, who was born there in 1537. Villoslada de Cameros also has interesting buildings featuring vernacular architecture from the 16th century, as well as large traditional houses built in the 18th century.

In the vicinity of Villoslada de Cameros stands the Ermita de Lomos de Orios. Its temple was built in 1722 over an earlier 17th-century structure. The chapel houses a 13th-century Gothic representation of the Virgin of Lomos de Orios. The pilgrimage site lies on a sunny mountainside among pine and beech trees.

La Sarga de Villoslada is a Passion cloth painted in Antwerp in 1560 for the parish church’s high altar during Holy Week. La Sarga is displayed exclusively during Holy Week in the parish church of N.ª S.ª del Sagrario; an information touchscreen is available there year-round.

Festivals and local traditions

The Caridad Chica pilgrimage takes place on the Sunday after Easter Sunday. Bread and chorizo donated by local residents are distributed during the event. The Villoslada de Cameros livestock fair takes place on 11 September and includes exhibitions of handicraft and agricultural products, as well as tools and equipment for livestock farming.

The Caridad Grande pilgrimage takes place on the first Sunday in July and is recognised as a festival of regional tourist interest. After the mass and procession, blessed portions of lamb and bread are distributed in the meadow.

Other destination pages

Other destination pages: Bergasa, Gallinero De Cameros, Lagunilla del Jubera, Logroño, Ojacastro, Grávalos, Arnedo, Valgañón

Back to the main travel overview: La Rioja.