Considered one of the most beautiful and charming villages in Spain. Step into its narrow streets and enjoy the surroundings. Discover it just 18 km from the campsite.

This visit to the small town of Orbaneja del Castillo, located in the Sedano Valley and declared a Historical-Artistic Site, reveals the beauty of its streets and the stunning natural environment of the Ebro River Canyon.

If you had to choose a place where the landscape of Burgos has outdone itself, it would be the Ebro Canyon as it passes through Orbaneja del Castillo: a village that preserves one of the most charming and unique examples of popular architecture in northern Spain. The waters of the stream that flows from the nearby Cueva del Agua (Water Cave) reflect on their crystalline surface, before plunging into an unforgettable waterfall, the numerous mountain houses that open onto the old, stepped streets of a hamlet that, in perfect harmony, takes advantage of scarce and narrow tufa terraces. Walking through the streets of this village in high Castile is to evoke an interesting and, at times, mysterious historical past.

From the small municipality of Villaescusa de Ebro, just 10 km from the campsite, begins the newly opened via ferrata. Safety equipment can be rented in the Plaza Mayor of Polientes.

And also one of the ten largest in the world. It is located in the north of the province of Burgos.

Of great interest for speleology, prehistoric sanctuaries and species of cave-dwelling invertebrates have been found, some of them new to science. A complex of hydrological, morphological, scientific, and even educational interest. A place to view from overlooks: Mirador Alto Concha, Mirador de Retuerta, Mirador Pico del Cuerno (hiking trail) or by practicing nature sports. In Ojo Guareña, it is possible to clearly follow the historical evolution from the Middle Paleolithic to the present day, a puzzle in which all the pieces are found here. Its rich flora and fauna are accompanied by its unique culture. A large number of attributes together in such a large space. When visiting this natural monument, you can also see the Cueva Ermita de San Bernabé (San Bernabé Hermitage Cave).

Initially, San Martín de Elines belonged to a Mozarabic monastery from the 10th century (some remains are left in the cloister), then it became a collegiate church and later a parish church. You can find it just 7 km from our facilities next to the rock-hewn hermitage of Arroyuelos.

In the Valderredible valley, located in the south of the region, the largest municipality in Cantabria is home to the Casa La Pastiza. An authentic and extraordinary destination for travelers who will find great natural and ethnographic treasures linked to livestock and agriculture.

The house, like the people who lived in it, offers a glimpse into a true past where for three generations they had nothing but candles for light, well water to drink, and chamber pots for a toilet.

The house is maintained as it was for the first generations; it is a unique heritage, handmade with quarry stone brought down from the mountain of Susilla by donkeys and oxen. Most of the house is adobe, with the main line where it was built on a rock preserved.

All of this is surrounded by two hectares of livestock farm with oak and fruit trees.

It is an invitation to creativity, an escape from the urban, a new alternative to the rural world, a family project, linked to tourism, and with a popular culture ethos.

Contact: 639 58 21 26 Facebook: Casa La Pastiza

The richness of the Valderredible Valley suggests that human settlements were concentrated in this area since the most primitive times. During the Middle Ages, numerous Romanesque churches were built, such as the Collegiate Church of San Martín de Elines (12th century). This collegiate church is one of the most outstanding examples of Romanesque architecture in Cantabria.

Valderredible means, etymologically, "valley of the banks of the Iber (Ebro)" and, along with the sandstone rock (wealden) found in the area, fostered this rock-hewn phenomenon. A large number of anchorites, who reproduced a fashionable Christianity that had originated earlier in the deserts of Egypt and Sinai, settled along the Ebro. Valderredible preserves one of the best collections of rock-hewn sites in the entire peninsula.

The arrival of the first anchorite monks in Valderredible has traditionally been dated from the 8th to the 10th century AD, in relation to the advance of Christianity during the Reconquista and the arrival of Mozarabic populations in the valley. However, a more ancient chronology is now assigned, between the 6th and 7th centuries AD, coinciding with the peak splendor of San Millán de la Cogolla and the rule of the Visigoths in this valley, respectively.

The evocative capacity of this hermitic settlement is almost immediate. Located on the summit and surroundings of a small limestone promontory, in the rich plain crisscrossed by the Ebro next to the town of La Puente del Valle. The monumental complex presents a very diverse collection. At first glance, it is a rock completely populated with tombs of all types. It is possible to see tombs excavated in rock and slate, simple and double, anthropomorphic and bathtub-shaped... all presided over at the top by a church whose floor plan was engraved in the rock.

But it holds more surprises: a sarcophagus under an arched visor (arcosolium), a gallery excavated in the rock for storage, signs of troglodyte constructions partially carved into the rock and finished in wood, and above all, several hypogea: rock-hewn dwellings with a continuous bench, which may have been cells at one point, but also had a funerary use for double burials.

All of this is built on occupation soils that date back to the beginning of the metal ages (Chalcolithic) and the Bronze Age, in the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC. Silios excavated in the ground have also been found, showing that, starting in the Middle Ages, in the 6th century, the place was occupied again and the church probably remained in use until the 15th century, when burials ceased. It is the best-known rock-hewn site. It has been the subject of archaeological excavations in the years 1998-99.

A spectacular astronomical observatory located in the Valderredible Valley to get a closer look at outer space, just 5.6 km from our facilities. Visitors are invited to make both types of visits: daytime and nighttime. In the former, solar observation will be carried out, possible without danger thanks to the specialized equipment the Observatory has. In the latter, nighttime celestial bodies will be observed, varying depending on the night (Moon, planets, etc.).

• Opening days for the general public: Friday to Sunday. The monthly schedules are specified on the booking page (see below).

• Daytime sessions. In the morning or afternoon, varying according to the time of year, as this determines the position of the Sun.

• Nighttime sessions. At night, varying according to the time of year, as this determines the time of dusk.

Activities can also be arranged specifically for schools and organized groups. For information, call 676 96 50 03.

Discover this natural paradise. The Monte Hijedo trail will allow us to see one of the most extensive and best-preserved sessile oak forests in the Cantabrian cornice, just 16 km from our facilities.

Historically, the exploitation of this forest has been linked, above all, to the extraction of wood for the multiple uses in which this resource was involved. Among them, charcoal production, which was carried out almost on an industrial scale to supply the ironworks of Bustasur, Horna, and others a little further away, such as those of the Royal Artillery Factories of La Cavada and Liérganes. The reason for another large number of loggings was the extraction of quality wood for the Royal Shipyards of Guarnizo. Not to mention the use of firewood for the local population, the manufacture of railway sleepers, or beams for shoring up the mines that supplied the Arroyo glass factory. Thus, tree by tree and century by century, the miracle is that, despite what has reached the present being a tiny portion of that jungle, this forest patch is today, along with the oak grove of Garralda, in Navarra, and that of Muniellos, in Asturias, one of the three most important sessile oak patches in Spain and, of course, one of the most notable and ecologically interesting forests in Castile and León. Without as many dangers as the medieval monks saw in it, venturing today along its paths is an invitation that should not be rejected. And even less so since a well-placed network of signs accurately guides an unforgettable walk full of pleasant corners.

In Covanera (26 km from our facilities), a town in Burgos, there is a cove of crystalline water: the Pozo Azul (Blue Well). It is actually a spring that pours its waters into the Rudrón river and is a gem for Spanish cave diving.

The cave plunges under the mountain. So far, 13 km of tunnels have been explored and it is said, although we have not been able to verify it, that it is the longest underwater cave in Spain. A British and a Dutch diver, from the Cave Diving Group team, added another 1 km to the 2013 record in August 2014. They spent four days submerged.

In any case, in addition to documenting new routes, the history of the exploration has yielded findings for biology. In the Pozo Azul, endemisms and new species have been documented and accredited by the National Museum of Natural Sciences.

The Pozo Azul is one of the most visited spots in the Rudrón Valley. The locals cool off in this charming little corner. The trout, which indicate the quality of the water, can't resist either.

Puentedey is built on two tunnels carved into the rock: one natural, by the action of the Nela river over millions of years, and another artificial, made by man. I'm talking about the tunnel of the defunct Santander-Mediterranean railway line, a former railway project that aimed to connect Santander with the city of Valencia by train to provide a maritime outlet for goods from the interior provinces. Part of the line was inaugurated in 1929 and was eventually closed in 1985. Since 2003, the railway track has been dismantled, and some sections have been converted into greenways. The railway tunnel carved into the rock of Puentedey is parallel to the natural arch and has a length of 85 meters. The path where the railway tracks were laid leads to the defunct Brizuela station, 2 kilometers from Puentedey, a path that follows the whimsical course of the Nela river through a spectacular environment, especially in autumn.

The town of Pesquera de Ebro in Burgos is located north of the province of Burgos (33 km from our facilities), where the Ebro river carves its way through sharp rocks and resistant massifs.

Although the first document mentioning Pesquera dates back to the year 941, its origins must be placed in the first half of the 9th century, coinciding with the repopulation of this area, carried out by the first Castilian counts.

Its name derives from the Latin piscaria, or "place rich in fish." It emerged and developed alongside a strategic bridge over the Ebro river, this being one of the most outstanding heritage elements of the town.

Its period of greatest splendor coincides with the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, a time when several noble families settled there and built the emblazoned manor houses that give the small village so much distinction.

These stately homes were built of limestone ashlar, with entrance doors reinforced by semi-cushioned arches. On their main facades appear the coats of arms of families such as the Giles, Mazuelo, and Gallo, with one of the most illustrious inhabitants of the place being the captain of the Tercios of Naples, Juan de Escalada, who served Philip II.

Among the village buildings, the Church of San Sebastián, with some Gothic remains, and the Baroque Hermitage of San Antonio stand out. This hermitage is located at the edge of the village, right at one end of the magnificent medieval bridge, so important for this town.

You have to get there by car. We leave the campsite and go left, pass Orbaneja del Castillo, and at the next junction, we go right until we reach the Valdelateja junction. We park next to the bridge and cross it, then go right, following the signs for "Cascada" (Waterfall). We will skirt the Rudrón river on its left bank, going up and down between the canyons until we reach the Pozo Azul in Covanera and return by the same path.

You have to go there by car. We leave the campsite and go right, and at the junction, we head towards Rocamundo and La Lora. We continue along the road, cross the bridge, and go right to continue towards Rocamundo. We will have to pass the village and continue climbing up to the Astronomical Observatory. Once at the top, we enter through a cattle grid on the right side of the road and can leave the car a little further on so as not to block the path. We begin walking with the helipad on our left and will follow that track until we reach Lorilla and return by the same path.

This route takes place in the natural environment of Covalagua, specifically in the Valderredible Valley, and starts from the town of Revelillas (just 20 km from our facilities), a village where three families regularly live but which has a special charm. Starting from this beautiful village where time seems to have stood still and whose people offer the best of humanity to travelers, we head south towards the place known as EL HORTAL. The path gradually becomes steeper and a forest of beech and gall oaks accompanies us on the ascent. An ascent that takes us into a fairy tale forest and allows us to see the valley and the towns of the region from a bird's-eye view. Once at the top, we access Peña Corbera, crossing the moor. From here, you can see the two slopes of this area. On one side, the lushness and vegetation, and on the other, the steppe and rocky terrain. From there, following the ridge of Peña Corbera, we headed to the place called "Pozo de los Lobos" (Wolf Pit), where a structure awaited us whose purpose was to kill this animal that in past times wreaked havoc on the local livestock. The truth is that the structure is imposing, and the place where it is located is a wonderful balcony overlooking part of the valley. Once there, we headed towards the Valcabado viewpoint, where the grandeur of the valley and the interplay of contrasts on this route are best seen. We returned to the Pozo de los Lobos by the same path, but once there, we descended to the village through the area known as Monte Pequeño and Fuente Jato, among a multitude of beech and oak trees that sheltered us from the sun that accompanied us during the route. We believe it is a very rewarding route in which solitude is the human company we had throughout, and instead, a lot of native fauna was our company.

The route to the Tobazo waterfall is a simple route of a short distance, suitable for both experienced and inexperienced hikers.

To get to the Tobazo waterfall from Valderredible, what we have to do is get to the nearby town of Villaescusa de Ebro (10 km from our facilities).

From here, we will follow the GR 99 path that runs alongside the Ebro river. We continue walking along this path for about 10 minutes until we reach the foot of the spectacular Tobazo waterfall, without a doubt one of the most important waterfalls in Cantabria.

Beyond more or less esoteric theories, little is known about the true meaning of menhirs. Their name, of Breton origin, means "long stone" (men: stone and hir: long). The only thing that is known for sure is their funerary nature, given the abundance of tombs and ashes of the deceased found at their feet.

Well, near our campsite, we have a route where you can observe several examples. The route is just over 12 kilometers and has little elevation gain. It is located in the basin of the Camesa river, inhabited for 5,000 years, and consists of eight perfectly visible examples. The route begins in the upper part of the town of Mataporquera, in front of the cemetery and the church of Santa Eulalia. There, a panel will provide the necessary information, and the successive signage will guide us throughout the route.

On the website of the Valdeolea town hall, there is a description of each of the menhirs, there is also the corresponding track, and if anyone has any doubts, here we leave you with the students of CEIP Valdeolea who will proudly explain their oldest heritage to you.

Map

The route is moderate because we did it with two girls aged 9 and 11, and although the outward journey runs almost entirely along paths parallel to the riverbed, except for the ascent and descent of the Alto de los Tornos, the return journey from Tudanca to Cidad de Ebro gains height on the middle slope of the mountain, with the path being quite narrow and with some sections more exposed to the gorge, so you have to be careful not to trip. If you are doing the route with children, it is worth knowing that on the return section there are parts that can be complicated and even dangerous due to the risk of falling. On its route through the province of Burgos, the Ebro makes its way by carving out deep gorges, canyons, and ravines. The Tornos gorge, in the Burgos region of Merindades, is a spectacular stretch that connects the towns of Cidad de Ebro, in the Manzanedo valley, with Tudanca, which belongs to the Zamanzas valley. Descent from the Alto de los Tornos. We leave the car in Cidad de Ebro and, after walking through its streets, we leave by a path in the direction of Tudanca, a route that coincides with the route of the GR-85 and the GR-99. At first, the path is separated from the Ebro and we cross a holm oak grove as we descend, after approximately one kilometer, we get close to its channel. A little further on, there is a fork and we take the path on the right to continue parallel to the river. If we choose the path on the right, both paths meet at the height of the Fuente Honda. After passing a small picnic area with two tables, we reach a small spring that pours its waters into the Ebro known as Fuente Honda. From this point, we begin to move away from the channel as we ascend, entering a forest of holm oaks, Kermes oaks, and low scrub until we reach the upper part of the Tornos gorge. The path gradually narrows and gains altitude, as we are approaching the gorge and we have to overcome the rocky heights that fall over the river. The Ebro's channel narrows and its banks become steep. Once in the Alto de los Tornos, the landscape widens and we can contemplate the beautiful panoramic views of the river entering the gorge. We begin the descent along the beautiful zigzag path to reach the level of the channel again. A little further on, we find a fork in the paths again, we take the one on the left and continue until we reach Tudanca. This village is located in one of the most isolated and unknown enclaves in the province of Burgos, and in its surroundings, with a large meadow, the Ebro river makes a large meander, making its way through the vertical rock walls that fall sheer from the heights of the Sierra de Albuera, forming a beautiful landscape. After exploring the village, we begin the return journey by crossing the Ebro over the bridge to return along the other bank. In this first section, the river is calm among meadows and riverbank vegetation. Little by little we begin the ascent along the path on the middle slope between holm oaks and low scrub until we reach the rocky pass that allows us to save this highest point, with the Alto de los Tornos on the other bank. Next, we must face the descent down a short but steep rocky channel until we get back on the path that runs through the forest. A little further on, we find a beautiful natural stone arch. Stone arch. We continue along the path through the forest. The landscape is spectacular. The rocky walls fall sheer over the river, and the path runs close to the rock and offers the best views of the magnificent meander of the Ebro where the gorge reaches its maximum narrowness. We reach the upper part of this section, a curve that becomes a natural balcony but where you have to be careful because it is a somewhat exposed area, with the vertical walls of the gorge to our right. After overcoming this point, the path becomes smoother and we begin the descent to the junction with the path from the nearby village of Vallejo de Manzanedo. We turn right and reach a meadow. We are now back at river level. From here, we only have to follow the path, which is blurred at times, until we reach the village of Cidad de Ebro. In this section, we have to overcome some muddy sections, since we are very close to the river and the ground is very soft. In times of Ebro floods, this section may be impassable, and an alternative must be sought to reach the village. In short, a very beautiful and entertaining route in which we can enjoy the spectacular gorges and meanders that the Ebro river has shaped.

Map

The route begins in Sobrepeña, going up the narrow road that leads to Montecillo. Just at the beginning and on the left-hand side, you can see the route sign. Once you have traveled 300 meters, a fork appears. We will turn left onto a track that will take us in the direction of the Páramo de la Lora. There are up to three very clear detours (tracks that leave the main one) that we will ignore, as we make a wide curve to the left.

Map

In the Páramo de la Lora, in the northeastern part of the province of Palencia, is the protected area of the Covalagua Valley, whose name comes from the abundance of caves and water in its surroundings. The landscape is generous in vegetation with beech, holly, hawthorn, some yew, and other varieties, which serve as shelter for various animal species. This Natural Area is within the UNESCO Las Loras Global Geopark. In this area, near the town of Revilla de Pomar, is "La Cueva de los Franceses," the only visitable caves in the province of Palencia. This cave has an interior route where you can see wonderful karstic formations such as: flowstones, curtains, stalagmites, and stalactites which, together with the recent installation of a modern ambient lighting system, allows for the contemplation of the fantastic geological formations of the Cave and provides lighting in the corridors so that they can be traversed. Its name comes from the time of the War of Independence for having been the final resting place of the combatants who fell in a clash that occurred on the Lora moor. In addition, access to the cave is through a modern building called "La Roca" (The Rock) which houses an exhibition about the cave and the surroundings of the Palentina mountain and serves as an entrance to a mysterious walk inside the mountain. The distance from the town of Aguilar de Campoo to the Cueva de los Franceses is approximately 16 km. You can access it from Aguilar de Campoo via the N-627 national road in the direction of Burgos, until you reach Pomar de Valdivia, from here, to Revilla de Pomar and then you access the road to the cave in the direction of the Valderredible Valley. Close to this cave is the Valcabado Viewpoint, where the Lora moor ends abruptly, which allows you to see the Valderredible Valley where Cezura, Báscones de Ebro, and Lastrilla are located from this ravine.

The entrance fee is 3€, and you have to book in advance.

One of the great attractions of our territory is, without a doubt, the trails that we can explore. Today we are going to recommend one that is a little less than 20 minutes away, in the municipality of Valdeprado del Río. From the campsite, we leave in the direction of Reinosa, and after Reocín de los Molinos, we will see a sign that indicates Mataporquera.

In the village of Valdeprado del Río, we leave the car to start this route, which is circular and can be started at other points on the route. The route is three to four hours long without rushing too much, and if you stop in the abandoned villages that you pass, it can take a little longer.

The municipality where it takes place, Valderprado del Río, is the most depopulated in all of Cantabria along with Valderredible. These are areas that have suffered a brutal exodus throughout the 20th century. The route is already named after the abandoned villages, which gives us an idea of what the area is like. It is one of the big problems in these areas, depopulation, and on the other hand, it is their asset for being so healthy and little touched by demographic pressure.

The first part of the route, as soon as we start walking, gradually takes us into oak forests, and the feeling is that you are entering the middle of the mountain. There is hardly anyone around; the path is well-marked. If you go alone, it gives you time to think about how difficult it is to find spaces today where you can walk so far away from the society we live in.

Little by little we find the abandoned villages that are scattered along the route. Their ruin and deterioration mark the sign of the exodus from the area. The first village is MOROSO; there is nothing alive. We continue the route and a larger village appears: CANDENOSO. All are villages at more than 1000 m of altitude; this one is larger but in the same state of ruin. I meet two locals rehabilitating a large house; they are the first people I have met after a long time among oaks and beeches.

From now on, it is another route, another space. We leave the mountain and the feeling of being lost in the middle of it, and now we go down a well-maintained track. The views that open up already show us Mataporquera; in the distance, the Palentina Mountain... Shortly after, we cross a beautiful beech forest until we reach Hormiguera, which is a village that is inhabited and has well-kept houses.

We mix walking on paths and others on roads and pass Sotillo and little by little we reach Valdeprado del Río where we started the route. We are tired but content. There are two things that remain in my mind: the first section, deep in the mountain and walking alone, far from any trace of urban society, and on the other hand, the state of ruin and abandonment of the villages at the beginning of the route.

It is a route to do on a day when you feel like walking for a long time, which invites you to reflect on depopulation and how far these environments are from a traditional city. On the other hand, for those who are used to living in urban areas, having contact with spaces like these where you spend a long time walking through native forests can be a very rewarding experience.

A recommended route, PR S-34 Route of the abandoned villages, which, depending on the seasons, we will find different peculiarities in each period. Autumn can be one of the best times to go through it. This is a route to go with more people.

The Los Chozos Trail is a pleasant walk around the town of Orbaneja del Castillo in Burgos. Its greatest interest lies in a group of about 30 traditional farmer's huts, and although their configuration is identical to those of shepherds, these were used as homes during the time their inhabitants mainly worked with cereals and legumes. They are built on the limestone moor that dominates the Ebro Canyon. The good condition of these constructions made only with stones, without mortar, and conceived as shelters in which to camp with their families, is surprising. The interior accommodated several people and allowed them to make a fire. We begin the route at the GR-99 information panel in Orbaneja del Castillo, and a few meters away is its famous waterfall, possibly one of the most photogenic springs in the province of Burgos and the spectacular torrent that emerges from the Cueva del Agua, forming this beautiful waterfall at the foot of the road, just above the houses of Orbaneja del Castillo. This enclave of popular architecture, with undeniable charm and crossed by a stream of water that emerges from the Cueva del Agua in the middle of the village and, crossing it, plunges into the Ebro river that runs more than 150 meters deep through the rock cliffs in a karstic extrusion of whimsical figures that surround the entire edge of the gorge. The water comes from the bottom of the mountain, surfaces inside the cave, and submerges again between the cracks in the rock, to reappear in the center of the village, outside the cave. After contemplating the waterfall, we go up the stairs and approach the Cueva del Agua, and then we follow the cobbled street to a Humadero where we turn left on a very gentle ascent, sticking to the rocky cliffs. After several switchbacks, we reach the upper part of the moor. Following the comfortable path, we soon arrive at the Chozos de Isilla, scattered over a large area and in very good condition, even being useful for sheltering from unexpected rain. Following the path, we head through examples of holm oaks to the other end of the moor, very close to the N-623, where we will follow the markings of the GR-99. We find the Chozos de Las Losas, and if we continue on the path for approximately half a kilometer, we will come across a small monolith and a tomb of republicans persecuted during the war, and where an inscription will make us reflect. (It is signposted on the track) "We have learned to fly like birds, to swim like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers." Following the GR-99 markings, we begin a direct descent until we reach a natural viewpoint with great views of Orbaneja del Castillo and the Ebro Canyon, and shortly after, we enter the town and arrive at the parking lot, thus concluding the route. *This route is a small local and partial variant of the PRC-BU-2 Ebro Canyon Trail.

Map

This route of only 5.3 km starts 500m from the campsite. The path to start it is on the road towards Salcedo. You have to leave the campsite and go right to the intersection where the bus shelter is and take the road on the right (towards Salcedo). After about 300m, we will find a path on the left signposted with "PR-S 37". The path continues upstream along the right bank of the Arroyo Troncos. Among the lush vegetation, in which the oak grove predominates, further on the stream turns left, and we immediately find a fork in which we leave the branch that crosses the channel and which until a few decades ago was the access road to the town of Salcedo. We continue along the same bank, ascending more clearly between a notable oak grove, which is part of the extensive forest mass that is gaining ground in the mountains of the region. After a while of climbing, the path leads to a firebreak that divides the oak grove from a replanted pine forest, and we go up it for a hundred meters until we reach a pass that again gives us a view of the Ebro Valley. Ignoring two turnoffs to the right that lead to Arantiones, we go down the slope already seeing Polientes below, and at a fork we go to the right between a less dense oak grove than the one on the north face. In a short time, we enter the first houses of the valley capital, ending the circuit in the town square.

Map

Just 27 km from the campsite, we find the Geosenda del Valle Ciego in La Lora. This route of only 2.3 km is a circular route to see the Cueva del Agua where the Valterria river flows out.

Just 2 km from where this path begins, in the direction of Hoyos del Tozo, we find the parking lot to access the Puente del Diablo (Devil's Bridge) and the Cueva de los Moros (Cave of the Moors).

Among the many resources that the surroundings of our campsite have, today we are going to present a route that will take us from our campsite to a centenarian oak in just over an hour.

We leave the campsite calmly with our boots and backpack. In just 800m, we take the path that will take us little by little up to Salcedo. We gain height among oaks; the vast capital of native trees that Valderredible has is fascinating. Oaks, beeches, yews...

As always when one gains height, the perspectives widen, the gaze broadens. It is not an excessively hard climb, but it does require oxygen. The views of the Páramo de la Lora and Peña Camesía are fascinating.

After 4 km, the town of Salcedo opens up to our eyes. Located at over 1000m, its air is pure and clean like few others. In this era, it regains some dynamism after suffering a great exodus like the entire valley in the 60s of the last century. They say that there was a time when only one lady was left living in the town, a situation that is worth noting because this town is often lost in the snow in winter.

Continuing for a while after crossing the town, we can see a lot of cattle in the area, and we see the fascinating centenarian oak in the distance. It stands next to two other oaks in the middle of a grazing area. In the background, you can see the other Cantabria; the mountain range opens up to our eyes.

As we get closer, we begin to understand the dimensions of the oak. With a diameter of about 7m and a spectacular crown, more than ten branches branch out, creating a fascinating whole.

It is not the only specimen of these dimensions in Valderredible, but its stately appearance is authentic. We spend a good while observing and feeling it; not even with several people can you get around it. The environment invites you to have a refreshment and enjoy the pure mountain air.

We begin the return, not without looking back at the unique specimen. Upon arriving in Salcedo, we find the town's TELECLUB open. They are the bar and cultural center of these towns. We have a soft drink, we chat with the neighbor who runs it today, and he tells us about his return after spending many years in the Basque Country. This entire valley suffered an emigration of almost 88% of the population in the 20th century. Brutal!

We say goodbye and descend among oaks, still with the image of the oak in our eyes. After an hour, we see the campsite. We arrive satisfied and serene. A good shower awaits us; the feeling that we have been left with is one of total satisfaction, and the surroundings of this valley have once again given us an example of how many things there are to discover.