Montejo de San Miguel lies on the left bank of the Ebro, at the foot of Cerro de San Miguel. The landscape and the history of the village can be explored through different themes: the Senda offers a hike with botanical and historical stops, while the church, houses and traditional crafts draw attention to the village itself. The circular route is 4.4 kilometres long, rated easy and estimated to take one and a half hours to walk. This gives you a clear time frame for the hike; the village details offer a separate focus on architecture and local history.
By the Ebro: circular trail and traces of history
The Senda de Montejo de San Miguel is a botanical nature trail by the Ebro. Its first section follows the GR-99 Camino Natural del Ebro and is marked with red-and-white waymarkers. The path leads to the Ermita de San Miguel on the hilltop, which offers views of the surrounding area. The Senda also passes restored remains of former brickworks and charcoal kilns. In this way, plant life and traces of earlier work are among the different themes along the route.
The former Fuente de la Salud is also on the route: it was a spring and a washing place with thermal water. La Pontinueva marks the site of a former bridge over the Ebro; some of the associated structures are still visible. Both places provide a distinct historical connection to water and to the use of the landscape. The walking time of around one and a half hours refers to the circular route; it gives you a useful guide for considering this walk as a separate part of your plans.
Church, houses and local history
The traditional houses of Montejo de San Miguel are loosely arranged around the church of Santiago Apóstol. The church is built of ashlar stone; its atrium serves as a portico, and its large tower is a prominent feature. Inside is an impressive Baroque altarpiece. There are also frescoes of the four Evangelists: Santiago Apóstol is the only church in the valley where such frescoes have been preserved. Together, these architectural details reveal different aspects of the church, from its building material and exterior appearance to the altarpiece and frescoes.
The village’s name derives from its location on a small hill near the former monastery of San Miguel. Only the Ermita de San Miguel remains on the hilltop. Traces of Romanesque architecture can be found there; a monastery may previously have stood on the site. Some of the manor houses in the village are known as casonas de Indianos. Their owners made their fortunes in America. This name points to another aspect of the local architectural and social history.
Traditional crafts and winegrowing
Those interested in traditional working techniques can explore the subject through A. C. Trébede. The association runs activities to revive and pass on traditional crafts, in which the public can take part. These include basket weaving, blacksmithing, farriery, woodturning, coppersmithing, brickmaking, pottery and stonemasonry. The restored El Tejero brickworks lies on the slopes of Monte de San Miguel and adds a tangible example to these references to traditional crafts.
Winegrowing and winemaking are also part of the village’s history. The Ethnographic Museum of Montejo de San Miguel explains the important role played here by vineyards and wine cellars. El Lagar is a reconstructed former chacolí press house; it was inaugurated on 30 July 2023. Alongside the themes of the church, traditional crafts and landscape, this offers more than just one reason to go for a walk: you can explore the village through its architecture, its traditional working practices and its relationship with the Ebro.
Discover more destinations: Rabé de las Calzadas, Villanueva De Las Carretas, Miranda De Ebro, Melgar de Fernamental, Sedano, Nava De Roa, Castrillo Del Val, Baños de Valdearados.
For the main travel overview: Burgos.
