Lagran lies at the foot of the Sierra de Toloño-Cantabria. The trails around the village pass through beech forests, by an irrigation pond of particular ecological value, and on to sweeping panoramas. The village itself also reveals different layers of history, from the Renaissance church to remains of the walled enclosure. You can plan a stay that combines landscapes and architectural history.
Hiking trails through forests and cultural landscapes
The Camino de las Carboneras starts in Lagran’s main square. At three preserved stages in the development of charcoal burners’ sites, you can see how charcoal kilns were built. The PR-A 51 Senda del Mojón del Avellano takes a different route: it passes through extensive beech forests, has information boards along the way, and reaches the boundary of the Treviño area at Mojón del Avellano, at an altitude of 950 metres.
The PR-A 55 Senda de Villaverde connects Lagran with the neighbouring village of Villaverde. Beech and oak forests alternate with terrain offering sweeping panoramas. The Gesala / Salmuera route starts in the centre of Lagran, enters a beech forest and passes by the irrigation pond. These trails therefore differ not only in their stretches of woodland, but also in their destinations and landscape features.
The PR-A 52 Senda de Jaundel is an educational trail that runs entirely through forest. More than twenty small information boards share facts about the surrounding area. By contrast, the PR-A 53 Senda de Pipaón follows the old path between Lagran and Pipaón and passes through sections with sweeping panoramas. You can reach Jaunden from Lagran via the path to Mojón del Avellano, which partly coincides with the GR 38. The historic long-distance trail GR-1 also passes through Lagran and runs along its route through Álava.
Buildings and traces of history
The parish church of Asunción de Nuestra Señora is a Renaissance building dating from the 16th century. Its richly decorated Plateresque portal also dates from this period. The hermitage of San Bartolomé dates back at least to the 15th century. At the Palacete de Viana, take a closer look at the details of its exterior: it stands outside Lagran’s former walls and displays two identical coats of arms. On the third floor, there is a solana with round arches and an iron balcony.
Remains of a section of the wall have survived to the west of the walled enclosure, next to the Portal de Cristo. The gate was recently restored. The Senda de las Carboneras reveals another trace of history: until the mid-20th century, this bridleway was frequently used to transport charcoal to places where it could be sold and, in return, obtain goods such as wine and oil. This offers a different perspective on the area’s routes: besides their landscape value, they also tell the story of past transport and trade.
Planning your hikes
The GR 38 Interpretation Centre in Lagran offers information boards, interactive exhibits, a model of the trail and its sights, audiovisual materials, and maps to help hikers find their way. If you’d like to include the centre in your plans, check its current opening hours before your visit. The routes have different focuses: some pass through beech forest, while others connect villages or offer insights into the history of charcoal production. You can choose what to focus on during your time in Lagran based on the topics that interest you most.
Discover more destinations: Ibarguren, Abornikano, Gorbeia Inguruak, Labastida, Lalastra, Artziniega, Lukiano, Molinilla
Back to the main travel guide: Alava.
