Dinosaur footprints, a medieval ice house and traces of water-related industry reveal different sides of Munilla. The municipality is part of a biosphere reserve. Visitors exploring the area can discover its natural and local history at specific sites and along its trails—from a short walking trail with views of Munilla to a 20-kilometre section of the GR 93.

Dinosaur Footprints, Forest and Trails

The Barranco de la Canal site can be reached from the entrance to Munilla in the direction of San Vicente via a drivable track and a 2.5-kilometre route. At Peña Portillo, a structure protects a collection of dinosaur footprints, among the most interesting and best preserved in La Rioja. The two sites highlight different aspects of the subject: at Barranco de la Canal, the described access route is a useful point of reference; at Peña Portillo, the focus is on the protected display of the footprints.

The trails also vary in scale. The restored approach to the Nevera is a short walking trail with views of Munilla. The Nevera itself is a medieval stone ice house near the built-up area. A trail from Munilla to the Nevero is also suggested as a possible walk. A much longer option is the 20-kilometre section of the GR 93 Sierras de La Rioja between Munilla and San Román. Comparing the stated distances helps distinguish short trails from a long stage when planning your own outing.

Cycling trips are possible along the trails in the Hayedo de Santiago. This adds another way to explore the surroundings, alongside the walking trails and long-distance hiking stage. You can decide which option suits your stay by considering the specific routes, without combining the different activities into a single route.

Local History in Stone and Water

A public wash house stands on Calle San Miguel, by the Río Manzanares. Other traces of water-related activity include mills, fulling mills and factories associated with Munilla’s industrial past. They give the town’s history a distinct focus alongside its dinosaur footprints and natural surroundings. Some buildings from former chocolate factories also remain in Las Vargas.

Munilla’s history also includes clothmaking: in the 18th and 19th centuries, important cloth workshops developed in the context of La Mesta and transhumance. These built remains of industry can thus be linked to the town’s earlier economic history. The Museo del Cántaro is located in the lower rooms of the Casino de Munilla and adds to this picture of local history.

Several buildings reflect different periods. A single-nave Baroque chapel from the late 17th century houses an image of the Virgen de la Soledad, Munilla’s patron saint. A church contains a Hispano-Flemish image of the Virgen de Belén and a balcony loggia known as a Conjutorio. One church building was constructed in the early 16th century in the style of the Catholic Monarchs; parts of its walls and a portal are Gothic and date to between 1400 and 1450.

The bridge over the Río Manzanares is also a notable structure: it is built of ashlar stone and has two round arches. Its construction is dated to the late 15th or mid-16th century. Together with the wash house and the remains of water-related industry, it adds to the cultural discoveries with buildings connected to the river and the town’s history.

Getting There and Practical Planning

Munilla is connected by road via the LR-115, from which the regional road LR-484 branches off. A bus service operated by Autobuses Jiménez S.L. connects Munilla with Arnedo, Calahorra, Logroño and Soria. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before setting out.

A traditional summer event, the Festival de Jazz de Munilla takes place outdoors in Plaza de San Miguel around 15 August. If you would like to plan your stay around it, check the dates for the current edition before your trip. This lets you consider the seasonal event, hiking and cycling options, and cultural discoveries as separate elements of your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Torrecilla En Cameros, Tirgo, Sojuela, Galilea, Villamediana de Iregua, Sajazarra, Castañares De Rioja, Huércanos.

Return to the main travel overview: La Rioja.