Villoslada de Cameros is a starting point for visiting the Sierra Cebollera, as well as a place with its own architectural and cultural history. Hiking trails reveal different sides of the surrounding area: from a village trail highlighting architecture and tradition to routes through forests and over ridges. If you are looking for a hotel for this nature and culture getaway, Villoslada offers a convenient base: your visit to the Sierra starts here, and the village itself also has plenty of history to discover.
Hiking trails with different highlights
The Sendero Autoguiado de Villoslada passes through the most distinctive areas of the village. With eleven signposted stops, this roughly one-hour village trail introduces visitors to Villoslada de Cameros’s architecture and pastoral and transhumance traditions. The Sendero de la Virgen offers a different focus: this linear trail is 7.4 kilometres long, has a cumulative elevation gain of 400 metres and is of moderate difficulty. It follows the traditional pilgrimage route between the Ermita de Lomos de Orios and Villoslada.
The landscapes also vary depending on the route. On the Sendero de la Virgen, sections pass through pine forests, scrubland, grassland and beech forests, where there are opportunities to observe forest birds. The Sendero de la Dehesa starts and ends in Villoslada. Its route through a communal pasture passes preserved Pyrenean oaks and a Roman stele on a mountain saddle. From there, views stretch across the valley and towards Villoslada in the lower part of the valley.
The Sendero de las Cascadas offers views of the Ermita de Lomos de Orios, a shepherd’s hut, pine forests and the Puente Ra waterfalls. The VĂa Romana del Iregua, a former Roman road between Varea and Numancia that crosses the nature park, also passes through Villoslada. The options include a signposted village trail, trails with specified distances and elevation figures, and other routes with their own landscape and cultural highlights.
Village character and architectural history
The parish church of Nuestra Señora del Sagrario dates from the 16th century. It preserves elements of an earlier Romanesque church from the 11th or 12th century. The bridge commonly known as the “Puente romano” also has a history different from what its name suggests: it is medieval in origin and probably dates from the 15th century.
A major chapter in the village’s history is its former cloth factory and wool-washing facility. The building covered 2,000 square metres over three floors and could accommodate up to 40 looms in operation. They were powered by water: water diverted from the Iregua flowed through an underground tunnel into the building. Other historical landmarks include a 16th-century house on CallejĂłn de la PanaderĂa, believed to be the birthplace of Fray Sebastián de Villoslada, who was born there in 1537. Villoslada also has notable buildings in the vernacular architecture of the 16th century, as well as large traditional houses from the 18th century.
Sierra Cebollera and the Ermita de Lomos de Orios
The Sierra Cebollera Interpretation Centre is in Villoslada, at the junction of the road to Montenegro and the road to the Ermita de Lomos de Orios. Its interactive exhibition includes a section titled “Sierra de Cebollera: refugio atlántico en un mundo mediterráneo”. The Sierra Cebollera natural area is part of a protected area in La Rioja, characterised by well-preserved animal populations, extensive natural forests and glacial landforms.
The Ermita de Lomos de Orios is nine kilometres from Villoslada. Its temple was built in 1722 over an earlier structure from the 17th century. The Ermita houses a 13th-century Gothic depiction of the Virgin of Lomos de Orios. From Villoslada, the pilgrimage site can be reached by car via a road or on the signposted Sendero de la Virgen and Sendero de las Cascadas trails; conditions on the trails can vary.
Holy Week, pilgrimages and local events
La Sarga, a Passion cloth painted in Antwerp in 1560 for the main altar of the parish church, is displayed at Nuestra Señora del Sagrario only during Holy Week. An information touchscreen is available there year-round. Check before travelling whether the seasonal display coincides with your visit.
Several recurring events are part of the local calendar. Caridad Chica takes place on the Sunday after Easter Sunday; bread and chorizo donated by residents are distributed. Caridad Grande falls on the first Sunday in July and is recognised as a festival of regional tourist interest. After Mass and a procession, blessed portions of lamb and bread are distributed in a meadow. The livestock fair takes place on 11 September, with exhibitions of handicrafts and agricultural products, as well as tools and equipment for livestock farming. Check the dates and arrangements before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Muro De Aguas, Tricio, Almarza De Cameros, Las Ruedas De OcĂłn, ArrĂşbal, Los Molinos de OcĂłn, Gallinero De Cameros, Cenicero.
For the regional travel overview: La Rioja.
