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Ancient Path
Almarza de Cameros, La Rioja
(0)
An interesting didactic classroom of the natural environment
Difficulty-Medium
1:45 h.
5.2 km.
Almarza de Cameros, La Rioja (0)
An interesting didactic classroom of the natural environment
Difficulty-Medium
1:45 h.
5.2 km.
The Estate of Ribavellosa, in La Rioja, and its forests are a clear example of the gentle transition in this land between the characteristic Mediterranean climate and the demanding Atlantic climate. To visit this corner of La Rioja and walk along its paths is to immerse ourselves in dense forests of beeches, holm oaks, junipers and wild pines dotted with yews, holly or kermes oak.
The Ancient Path in its 5,2 Km takes us to the meeting of some of the different routes of trekking that counts on the Estate of Ribavellosa, also of the different species of flora that characterize this place of La Rioja, which are distributed carefully by the nature in function of its needs of humidity and luminosity. The centre of visitors is the starting point of this circular route that quickly introduces us to the dense pine forest that has to bring us closer to the brook of the Chestnut trees, so called because of the chestnut grove that is found there, one of the largest in the whole of La Rioja. From there we will continue our journey, leaving the High Path to one side for now, the first of those we have to come across, so that in an instant we can say goodbye to the Ancient Path and start our journey along the Path of the Beechwood.
As its name suggests, it will take us step by step into a colourful and leafy beech forest, but not before allowing us to contemplate the magnificent panoramic view of this natural spot from the Ribavellosa viewpoint. Beeches, oaks and the occasional yew and holm oaks liven up this part of the route, taking us to the reencounter with the Ancient Path to start the way back. But before that, there is still a small detour waiting for us, the one proposed by the Oak Path, which, as was to be expected, will bring us closer to an old oak tree. Returning to our Ancient Path, we will immediately come across a new option, the one offered by the High Path and its initially demanding profile, which, if we follow it, will take us to the Chestnut Tree Stream where we will join the Ancient Path again and, without further detours, return to the centre of visitors of the Ribavellosa Estate where this circular route ends.
You can avoid the final stretch of ascent if instead of following the route of the High Path you leave the crossroads behind and continue down the path that follows the Ancient Path which will take you back to the visitor centre.
At the Estate of Ribavellosa we arrive following the N-111 that joins Logroño and Soria. It is on this road, near Torrecilla in Cameros, where you will find the signposted detour that leads to this spot in La Rioja. In the facilities, where the Centre for Visitors is located, we will find ample parking areas around the buildings of the estate.
The Estate of Ribavellosa has its own regulation that affects the pets that accompany us, which is much more than taking our dog tied and respect the rest of animals and plants that live here.
It is important to bring some water as there are no points where you can drink along the trail, an itinerary that on the other hand should not require too much effort from our friend.
It is not at all strange to find ourselves with some animal or other of those who live in the Estate of Ribavellosa, apart from the rest of pets that accompany their owners.
The starting point of the Ancient Path can be found in the road that leads to the Estate of Ribavellosa.
In order to get to it we will only have to follow it, leaving behind the building that houses the center of visitors (0h 00min) and to cross the limits of the buildings that are concentrated here.
Just at the end of the conditioned walk that marks the limits of these we will find the official start of our hiking route. Here we will be forced to go up some stairs to leave definitively the enclosure of buildings.
Once up we will only have to follow the wide footpath that pertinently signposted will guide us to the beginning of this route.
A trail that ends when it comes across a path that comes here from the nearby road that we left behind before and by which we must continue entering the forest.
Quickly this way arrives until a fork where we will continue by our left in search of another near crossing.
Almost without warning this other crossing appears before us, explaining to us that on this new road that we come across runs the route of the High Path, marked with green marks.
We, ignoring, continue our route along the Ancient Path, knowing that when we return to this crossroads we will do so along the path we have just left behind us. A demanding ramp awaits us in front of us, which, step by step, begins to be felt.
Luckily, a new crossing gives us the opportunity to free ourselves from this effort, since the Path of the Beech forest (0h 30min) begins there, by which we will continue leaving for now the route of the Ancient Path that continues its ascending course.
The change of path is accompanied by the corresponding change of marks, now red, but unfortunately the respite in the effort ends faster than expected.
Again we see ourselves striving to gain height receiving in return as a reward a beautiful panoramic views.
Some views that have their colofón to our arrival to the Viewpoint of Ribavellosa where besides to take a respite we will be able to enjoy all the splendor of the landscape that surrounds us.
We continue to leave behind us this entertaining corner without almost realizing the change that each step is taking around us. The pines have been giving protagonism to a colorful beech forest, which we are preparing to cross.
This part of the route, although much less demanding than the previous one, also reserves some ramp for us. The diversity of the flora of the Estate of Ribavellosa becomes evident even more in this stretch of the route.
Our way, forced by having reached the limits of the estate, changes direction towards the starting point.
A hidden path joins us on our left, at the same time that without noticing it, the linear course of the Path of the Beech forest comes to an end when it meets the final point of the route that follows the Ancient Path that if it had been followed previously would have led us here.
Once the red marks are finished, it is now again the blue marks that guide us in case of doubt.
Doubts, except for the leaves that cover some areas of the road, should not arise easily. Soon the beech forest returns to leave the protagonism to the high pines, moment in which we have to find ourselves with a new junction and with a new option, the Path of the Oak.
This is a short detour that, if we follow it, will bring us closer to a solitary oak tree, making us return on our steps to resume our route.
Once this detour has been made, or not, without hardly any time we find another junction and the starting point of the High Path. Here we will say goodbye again to the Ancient path that follows its descending course, to follow the green marks of our new companion.
If we take a good look, before starting to gain height, just a few meters below in the layout of the Ancient path is the crossroads where we start our journey along the path of the Beech forest.
We then started a new ramp that will ask us to face it calmly again. A ramp that soon descends in its inclination, allowing us to enjoy more the landscape that surrounds us.
Soon the road begins to lose height, to draw a curve and continue guiding us to our next goal.
This area of the route makes us lose height quickly to leave us at the crossroads where this High Path ends and where we resume the course of the Ancient Path.
In this final part of the route we will only have to follow our first steps since we have to go in reverse the first part of the Ancient Path.
At the moment the path turns radically to walk towards the access road to the Estate of Ribavellosa.
We should not reach this road, unless we want to get close to the Raft Path and from there take it up to the Visitors Center. We will continue along the path that will take us to the stairs that mark the end point of the Ancient Path.
From there follow the road to the same visitor center where we will now end this beautiful hiking route through the Estate of Ribavellosa in La Rioja.
Distance. 5,2KmThis figure may vary depending on the itinerary followed.
Time. 1:45hThe great variety and possible combinations that offer us the different paths that this route agglutinates, will mark without a doubt the final time that we need in the route.
Time of yearIt is more than imagining that the months of spring and autumn give this La Rioja footpath greater beauty given the varied colours of the forests we are going to cover there. But this does not mean that summer or winter become bad periods to visit the Estate of Ribavellosa, quite the opposite. In summer the forest gives us all its freshness that added to the altitude and orientation will make our walk very pleasant. In winter if the snow and the accesses allow it we will be able to enjoy a magnificent circuit for snowshoes.
Required equipmentThe apparent simplicity of the route and its good condition should not make us fall into the error of not being foresighted and equipping us correctly, especially if we are accompanied by children. Clothes and footwear for hiking, water and some food, along with information about the route and its surroundings, is something essential even traveling a route so limited and marked as are the trails of the Estate of Ribavellosa. Consult our list of material and equipment for hiking. Read more.
Difficulty. MediumPhysical
Although there are not too many kilometers for someone moderately accustomed to this type of itineraries, we will have to face some ramp of a certain magnitude, which assumed with the necessary calm should not put us in greater complications.
Severity of the environment
As long as we do not go off the marked paths we are faced with a journey without initial complications, although as you know the natural environment in which this activity takes place is changing and has a life of its own.
Orientation
Perfectly signposted, with roads that we must not follow cut by gates and fences. It is the different possibilities of paths to follow that can cause us to walk more than we should and go back to places already visited.
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| 1-Visitor Center | 0:00h | 1073m | 0Km | 30T 533841 4677067 |
| 2-High Path Junction | 0:15h | 1058m | 0.8Km | 30T 534432 4676689 |
| 3-Start of Path of the Beech forest | 0:30h | 1082m | 1.4Km | 30T 534606 4677183 |
| 4-Viewpoint of Ribavellosa | 0:40h | 1090m | 2Km | 30T 534220 4677500 |
| 5-Detour Path of the Oak | 1:05h | 1106m | 3.2Km | 30T 534616 4677365 |
| 6-Start of High Path | 1:10h | 1098m | 3.3Km | 30T 534625 4677304 |
| 7-High Path Junction | 1:25h | 1058m | 4.4Km | 30T 534432 4676689 |
| 8-Visitor Center | 1:45h | 1073m | 5.2Km | 30T 533841 4677067 |
Coordinates UTM Datum WGS84
Slope: 364m
Slope +: 182m
Slope -: 182m
Maximum altitude: 1165m
Minimum altitude: 1045m
This sketch of the route is not made to scale nor does it contain all the information relating to the area, it is merely indicative.
This schematic with the path is approximate and has been created from the derived cartographic base © Instituto Geográfico Nacional "Cuadrante 241-4 y 241-2:25.000"
Senditur has manipulated the tracks to correct the aberrant points that may exist, caused by problems with the reception of the GPS signal. In any case the tracks are always approximate. SENDITUR encourages you to use the new technologies within your reach, using them as support and consultation in your activity, not basing the realization and orientation of the same only and exclusively on them, since they may see their functioning altered by very diverse causes, not functioning correctly and their indications may not be precise.
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¿Did you know that...
Since 2000, the Estate of Ribavellosa has been owned by the Autonomous Body of National Parks. It brings together the different species that characterize the Atlantic and Mediterranean climate, proof of the rich biodiversity that characterizes La Rioja.
Don't miss out...
The multiple activities that to foment the environmental education and the knowledge of the natural environment are carried out throughout the year in the Estate of Ribavellosa and of which they will give you fulfilled information in the center of visitors.
From the commitment of SENDITUR with Nature and the respect to the balance of the environment, SENDITUR urges you to travel in a responsible way, with low environmental impact and respecting at all times the Natural, Cultural and Social environment wherever you go.
Besides sharing with all of us your experience on the route we would be grateful if you could write to us to inform us of any erroneous or outdated information you may have found, or simply to let us know what you think at Thank you.
This route has been carried out in the field by SENDITUR on 12-11-2017. The route may vary greatly depending on the time of year, weather conditions and terrain, as well as the actions of third parties and the evolution suffered in the natural environment where it is located. All opinions, advice and/or assessments made by SENDITUR in their descriptions are for guidance only and are subject to and/or refer to the specific conditions of the specific day of the route, referring to that specific day, taken from trained people, with the appropriate experience and with a high level of physical and technical preparation as a reference, as well as correctly equipped.
All the times are approximate and take an orientative character, the stops have not been taken into account, no matter how small they are. All the information related to the route, texts, images, videos, maps, diagrams, tracks, towns, and places of tourist interest are published as a guide, and may not coincide with the current state of each place. Before undertaking any activity, assess your technical knowledge, your physical condition, find out about the weather and the variations that the route may undergo, equip yourself correctly, be prudent and responsible at all times, and do not exceed your capabilities. SENDITUR is not responsible for any misuse or inappropriate use of the comprehensive guides of its routes and/or publications as well as its electronic guides, nor for any variations in their descriptions for the aforementioned reasons, and recommends that everyone be responsible and prudent in carrying out the activity. We also encourage you to read books and specialised guides to complement the information described above.
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