San Martín de la Tercia lies in the Río Rodiezmo valley, where the river joins the Arroyo Lamoso. The combination of river landscape, village church, and hiking trails gives the place several distinct points of reference. San Martín is one of the 19 villages in the municipality of Villamanín included in the Alto Bernesga Biosphere Reserve.

Church and Architecture

The church of San Martín de la Tercia dates from 1832. Its pointed bell gable has up to twenty stone steps. The building comprises a nave with a round arch, an octagonal vault, and two chapels with several neoclassical carvings. Opposite the church is a coat of arms associated with the surname “Castañón.” The shape of the bell gable and the layout of the nave, vault, and chapels thus stand side by side as distinct architectural details.

Hiking Trails and Their Points of Reference

The San Martín–Peña Laza–Peña Calva route starts at the church of San Martín de la Tercia. It follows the Arroyo Balagares for around two kilometres, then crosses open country along livestock tracks to the summit of Peña Laza. When planning the hike, both sections therefore belong together: the path alongside the stream and the subsequent cross-country section along livestock tracks. As trail conditions can change, check the latest conditions before setting out.

On the “Mirador de la Tercia y Arbas” route, the Hoz del Arroyo Lamoso is the point of reference: this is where the route meets the path coming from San Martín de la Tercia. The descriptions therefore differ in focus: for the route via Peña Laza, the stream section, livestock tracks, and summit are mentioned; the other describes the meeting with the path from San Martín at the Hoz. One description can thus be identified by its route and summit destination, the other by its named meeting point.

River, Mill, and Stories

A communal mill has been preserved on the Río Rodiezmo in San Martín, though it no longer has anything to grind. It connects the history of the village with the river and its communal use. Check locally on the mill’s current condition before visiting.

The legend of “La fuente de las brujas” is also associated with San Martín de la Tercia, although some people locate it in Poladura. The spring there is identified as “Fuente Ana María.” The title of the story and the name of the spring are therefore not the same: the spring in San Martín is named Fuente Ana María. The story is part of folklore as a legend, not a verified historical event.

Former Schools and Teleclub

The Junta Vecinal had the former schools restored. A cultural association founded in 2023 took over the management of the Teleclub there. The church and the Teleclub refer to different periods in the village’s culture: the church dates from 1832, while the cultural association was founded in 2023.

Discover more destinations: Orellán, Revilla, Lago de Carucedo, Tombrío De Arriba, Puebla De Lillo, Villanueva del Condado, Trabadelo, Cubillas De Arbás

For the main travel overview: León.