Castroviejo lies in an area with steep slopes, which rise to the peaks of the Serradero. The village is surrounded by woodland. Two different perspectives are available for your trip: hiking trails and scenery, as well as the architectural history of the parish church of San Ildefonso and the Ermita de las Santas Nunilo y Alodia.

Woodland and the Río Yalde

At the edge of the village, the recreation area on the Río Yalde is next to the frontón court. It includes former cultivated land, scrubland and beech trees. Wildlife in the area includes squirrels, great tits and chaffinches. The public forest of Espinar, Serradero and Moncalvillo in Castroviejo covers 1,528.82 hectares.

The Hayedo Route and its shorter option

The Hayedo de Castroviejo hiking route starts in Castroviejo and forms a 15-kilometre circular trail with more than 500 metres of elevation gain. It crosses the Embalse de Yalde, passes through Piedrahincada and climbs to the peaks of the Serradero via the Cocote de la Risca, before descending to the recreation area at the source of the Río Yalde. These named points give the circular route a clear course through several types of landscape.

A shorter option is about 7 kilometres long, with approximately 400 metres of elevation gain; its descent begins before the Cocote de la Risca. Compared with the longer loop, both the stated distance and elevation gain are lower. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

San Ildefonso and the Santitas

The parish church, Iglesia parroquial de San Ildefonso, is a masonry building dating from the 16th century. Its single-nave interior consists of three sections, and the chancel has an octagonal end. The two-section tower dates from the 18th century. The presbytery houses the main altarpiece, a 16th-century Romanist work with Baroque elements. The church’s structure, tower and altarpiece can thus be considered as distinct aspects of its architecture.

Another cultural feature of Castroviejo is the Ermita de las Santas Nunilo y Alodia, also known as the Ermita de las Santitas. This 18th-century chapel is built of masonry, has a single-nave plan and a wooden pitched roof. Here, the chapel’s form and roof construction are the main features, whereas the description of the parish church also covers its nave, chancel, tower and altarpiece.

Getting around and planning your trip

Following the renewal of the concessions in 2009, the interurban route between Logroño and Nájera included four weekly round trips between Nájera and Castroviejo. Check the current timetable before travelling. When planning your hike, you can also choose between the 15-kilometre circular route and the approximately 7-kilometre option based on their stated distances and elevation gains.

Discover more destinations: Berceo, Cirueña, Navalsaz, Laguna De Cameros, Grañón, Aldeanueva De Ebro, Villamediana de Iregua, Ausejo

For the broader travel overview: La Rioja.