A hiking trail of about 8.1 kilometres and a prehistoric rock altar offer two concrete starting points for exploring Ricobayo. Los Perones is rated moderate; the Altar del CastillĂłn stands next to the parish church. The trails, landforms and buildings each offer a different focus.
Hiking and Granite Landscapes
Los Perones leads through Ricobayo de Alba to the modern riverside bathing area, then climbs through scrubland to the Fuente de los Perones. The trail is about 8.1 kilometres long and rated moderate. Along the way, it also passes the Cascadas de Cadozos, which lie only a few metres from the Ricobayo reservoir. For planning purposes, the trail’s length and difficulty, as well as named points along the way, are therefore clear. The route runs from the village through the bathing area and scrubland to the spring; the waterfalls are another feature of the trail.
The granite boulder landscape of Ricobayo-Muelas del Pan showcases a landscape shaped by igneous rocks in western Zamora. Its striking formations stand out, and conditions are also favourable for viewing them. This means the landscape can be explored separately from the hike: Los Perones focuses on the route and its length, while the boulder landscape focuses on the shapes of the granite. These offer two different perspectives on nature and terrain, without combining them into a single excursion.
Church and Rock Altar
Ricobayo’s parish church is dedicated to Saint Eulalia. The main chapel of the Church of Santa Eulalia was completely rebuilt in the mid-18th century; its retable, or altarpiece, also dates from that century. Today’s Church of Santa Eulalia is a simple, small building. Its architecture and furnishings can be viewed as two aspects of its history: the rebuilt main chapel and the retable from the same period. The building’s simple design offers its own architectural impression.
The Altar del CastillĂłn, a prehistoric altar made from a rock weighing more than ten tonnes, is located right next to the parish church. Two steps are carved into its upper surface, leading to a circular hollow. Alongside the sheer scale of the rock, these details offer a close look at its worked surface. The church and rock altar are immediately adjacent, but their classifications are quite different: on one side is the Church of Santa Eulalia, with its history and furnishings; on the other is a rock classified as prehistoric, with carved forms.
The Esla, Bridge and Pilgrims’ Route
The Ricobayo reservoir, the Ricobayo power station and the Ricobayo dam—also known as Salto de Ricobayo or Embalse del Esla—are located on the River Esla in the province of Zamora, less than a kilometre from Ricobayo de Alba. The Puente de Ricobayo is an arch bridge of mixed construction, with a span of 168 metres over the Esla reservoir. Near Ricobayo, the N-122 road crosses the Esla. The information about the bridge highlights different aspects of the structure: its construction and span, as well as its role as a road crossing.
The Camino PortuguĂ©s de la VĂa de la Plata also passes through Ricobayo de Alba. A historical route guide lists the village at route kilometre 37.8. For planning a pilgrimage today, it is advisable to check the current state of the waymarkers and available services, as both may change. This makes it possible to distinguish the historical route information from current conditions along the way.
Discover more destinations: Otero de Bodas, Villarino de Sanabria, Entrala, Puebla De Sanabria, ValparaĂso, Torrefrades, Villaveza Del Agua, San Esteban del Molar
For the broader travel overview: Zamora.
