The Ordunte Reservoir lies between the Montes de Ordunte and Monte Rozuelas. The Camino del Calcolítico runs alongside the reservoir; Nava de Ordunte also offers birdwatching, historic river trails and a section of a pilgrimage route. For planning purposes, these routes differ particularly in their format: a circular route, a trail ending by the water, or a stage between towns.

Circular route around the Ordunte Reservoir

The Camino del Calcolítico is a circular route for hiking and mountain biking. It starts and ends at the dam of the Ordunte Reservoir, follows the reservoir’s north shore and crosses the Ordunte River over a bridge. The circular route, shoreline and river crossing define the tour’s specific geographical setting. Along the route, you can spot mallards, Eurasian coots, Northern shovelers and great crested grebes, among other birds. This route therefore combines the two explicitly mentioned activities with a specific opportunity to watch waterbirds.

Birdwatching near Nava de Ordunte

A different type of route is the birdwatching route in the Valle de Mena. Its stage runs from Villasana de Mena via Nava de Ordunte to the Embalse de Ordunte, where it ends. Near Nava, the route offers the chance to hear, among other birds, northern wheatears, nightingales and Iberian chiffchaffs; it also explores the Cadagua’s riparian forest. Around the reservoir, the landscape is shaped by water, forests and meadows. Waterbirds can be spotted at the reservoir, while near Nava there is the opportunity to hear other species.

Historic trails and waterfalls

The historic trails also differ in their routes and landscape features. The Camino Real de las Enderrozas, also called the Camino Real de Ordunte, crossed the Hijuela, Ordunte and Cadagua rivers between Irús and Nava de Ordunte. The best-preserved section of the historic Camino Real de las Enderrozas, between Irús and Arceo, is signposted as a hiking route. These place names refer to different sections: the river crossings are on the Irús–Nava section, while the preserved hiking section is between Irús and Arceo. Nearby, two waterfalls form on the Hijuela River during periods of heavy rain and snowfall. Their formation is therefore explicitly linked to these weather conditions. The Hijuela River is both part of the historic crossings and the point of reference for the waterfalls.

Camino Olvidado stage

For pilgrims, stage 3A of the Camino Olvidado runs from Nava de Ordunte to Espinosa de los Monteros and is 34.4 kilometres long. The distance and endpoints make this stage a different planning unit from the circular route around the reservoir: it is a route between towns, not a return to the starting point. There is a pilgrim hostel in Nava de Ordunte. Confirm that it is operating before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Castildelgado, Burgos, Agüera, Valdenoceda, San Millán de San Zadornil, Castrillo Del Val, Isar, Oña

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