At the Ojo Guareña Natural Monument in the Las Merindades region of Burgos province, 110 kilometres of galleries in the main network have been mapped. Ojo Guareña is a karst area; traces in its caves indicate that people have used them since prehistoric times. The caves provide habitats for 190 species, many of them endemic. For a trip that takes in both nature and history, this combination is a striking place to start.

Caves, Gorges and Glacial Lagoons

The natural landscapes above ground also display a range of forms. The Hoces del Alto Ebro y Rudrón Natural Park encompasses gorges and narrow valleys shaped by the Ebro and Rudrón rivers. Its ecosystems range from heathland to riverside woodland. This variety describes more than a single type of landscape: river courses, rock faces and vegetated areas form part of a diverse natural environment.

Several named glacial lagoons define the landscape of the Lagunas Glaciares de Neila Natural Park. These include Laguna Negra, Cascada, Tejera, Haedillo, Patos, Pardillas and Brava. The wildlife is also described in specific terms: species found in the park include the Eurasian otter, Pyrenean desman, white-throated dipper and common kingfisher. Nature enthusiasts will find both striking bodies of water and a variety of wildlife to discover here.

Routes with Clearly Defined Waypoints

The B7-Sendero de las Lagunas starts at the Neila Lagoons car park and follows a circular route along Laguna de la Cascada. Along the way, it offers views of the glacial lagoons Negra, Larga, Brava and de las Pradillas.

The Bosques del Arlanza mountain-biking route has a different character. It runs through the Sabinares del Arlanza at the foot of the Sierra and connects Nebreda with Cebrecos and Castroceniza. While the B7 is a circular route alongside lagoons, this route links three named places. The Spanish imperial eagle and griffon vulture are also among the birds of prey for which the Sabinares del Arlanza Natural Park provides a refuge. The Pozo Azul in the Hoces del Alto Ebro y Rudrón Natural Park is known for its mysterious underground galleries.

History Along the Camino de Santiago

The Monasterio de las Huelgas in Burgos was founded on 1 June 1187 by King Alfonso VIII as the Cistercian monastery of Santa Maria La Real de las Huelgas. The monastery contains the tombs of monarchs as well as the Pendón de las Navas, a carpet in the Almohad style.

The Camino de Santiago Francés crosses the province of Burgos and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. In Castile and León, the route can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. In Castrojeriz, two kilometres of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela run along the main street and the town’s central axis. This makes it possible to view the route not only as a regional trail, but also on the scale of a specific place.

Clunia offers another historical perspective: the ancient settlement of the Arevaci remained active until the 5th century AD. Its theatre was particularly large for its time; some of the seating rows are carved into the rock. Mosaics dating from the 2nd to the 4th century AD add to the picture.

Archaeology, Music and Regional Wine Culture

Advance reservations by telephone are required to visit the archaeological sites of the Sierra de Atapuerca and the Centro de Arqueología Experimental (CAREX). The guided tour of the sites is by bus from CAREX in Atapuerca or CAYAC in Ibeas de Juarros. Take this visiting requirement into account and confirm the arrangements before your trip.

The Museo Sonidos del Mundo is located near the Monasterio de Santo Domingo de Silos. Housed in a restored 17th-century building, it displays more than 80 instruments from 30 countries. The exhibition spans two levels and groups the instruments into four major families. The variety of their origins and their systematic classification offer two distinct ways to explore the collection.

Wine is also part of the region’s story: near La Vid, the Ribera del Duero wine region extends into the province of Burgos. Along the Duero route, Fresnillo de las Dueñas has wineries and underground wine cellars. Cave landscapes, pilgrimage routes, archaeological remains and wine culture thus offer different perspectives for your discoveries in Burgos.

Discover more destinations: Nava De Ordunte, Sotragero, Oquillas, Villagonzalo-Pedernales, San Adrián, Salas De Los Infantes, Rubena, Miranda De Ebro, Lerma, Hontoria, Covarrubias, Cogollos, Burgos, Briviesca, Aranda De Duero, Milagros, Castrillo Del Val, Madrigalejo Del Monte, Pancorbo, Castrojeriz, La Puebla De Arganzón, Mamolar, Santo Domingo De Silos, Viloria De Rioja, Espinosa De Cervera, Santa Inés, Gumiel De Mercado, Montorio, Las Quintanillas, Buniel, Villasur De Herreros, La Cueva De Roa, Quintanilla San García, Barrio De Muñó, Villarcayo, Quintanar De La Sierra, Quintana Del Puente, Monasterio De Rodilla, Royuela De Río Franco, Solarana, Poza De La Sal, Valle De Las Navas, Medianas, Sasamón, Quincoces De Yuso, Villanasur-Río De Oca, Quintanilla Vivar, Quisicedo, Loma De Montija, Jurisdicción De Lara, Valle De Zamanzas, Los Altos, Sedano, Renuncio, Cótar, Humienta, Villanueva De Carazo, Rublacedo De Abajo, Santa Gadea Del Cid, Bahabón De Esgueva, Peñacoba, La Rad, Busto De Bureba, Cavia, Modúbar De San Cibrián, Fuentespina, Cigüenza, Caleruega, Villafranca Montes De Oca, Espinosa De Los Monteros, Nela, La Revilla, Vilviestre Del Pinar, Cuevas De San Clemente, Población De Arreba, Hedeso, Oña, Zazuar, Crespos, Redecilla Del Camino, Guzmán, Canicosa De La Sierra, Villanueva De Las Carretas, Montejo De San Miguel, Hortigüela, Estépar, Fuentelcésped, Sotillo De La Ribera, Berlangas De Roa, La Horra, Nava De Roa, Pedrosa De Duero, El Berrón, Trespaderne, Hornillos Del Camino, Pesquera De Ebro, Belorado, San Millán De Lara, Rebolledo De La Torre, Arija, Palazuelos De La Sierra, Atapuerca, Frías, Villamartín De Villadiego, Padilla De Abajo, Miraveche, Barbadillo Del Pez, Tardajos, Neila, Pradoluengo, Brizuela, Olmillos De Sasamón, Agüera, Puentedura, Santa Cruz De La Salceda, San Medel, Cozuela, San Juan De Ortega, Cebolleros, Ailanes, Los Tomillares, Montejo De Cebas, Olmos De Atapuerca, Villarias, Castildelgado, Hontoria De Valdearados, Quintanilla Riopico, Escalada, Masa, Pardilla, Orbaneja del Castillo, Arroyal, Quemada, Lodoso, Castrillo de la Vega, Armentia, La Orden, Cabanas de Virtus, Las Merindades, Peñaranda de Duero, Citores del Páramo, Medina de Pomar, Ahedo del Butrón, San Vicente del Valle, Rabanera del Pinar, Villafría, Villanueva de Lastra, Valdelateja, Orbaneja Riopico, Fresneda de la Sierra Tirón, Remolino, Zuzones, Arenillas de Villadiego, Cadiñanos, Carcedo de Burgos, Villalmóndar, Hermosilla, Soncillo, Bisjueces, Pedrosa de Valdeporres, Baños de Valdearados, Bárcenas, Villanueva de Argaño, Salazar, Rabé de las Calzadas, Valdenoceda, Tubilla del Lago, Isar, Melgar de Fernamental, Villalbilla de Burgos, Ros, Ibeas de Juarros, Cilleruelo de Bezana, Vadocondes, Quintanilla del Agua, San Millán de San Zadornil, Tubilla del Agua, Alarcia, Campillo de Aranda, Miñón, Llano de Bureba.

For the regional travel overview: Castile and León.