GR 93 Section 4 Ortigosa de Cameros-Laguna de Cameros

The GR 93 and Los Cameros a good combination

One of the main characteristics of the GR 93 is that it serves as a link between the different valleys in the south of La Rioja. In this case, this stage 4 of this long-distance footpath joins more than just two valleys, it joins the regions of Camero Nuevo and Camero Viejo. Specifically, we are going to get to know the GR 93 in its section 4 between the towns of Ortigosa de Cameros and Laguna de Cameros.

Itinerary of the GR 93 Section 4 Ortigosa de Cameros-Laguna de Cameros

From Ortigosa to Peñaloscintos 2,75 Km

We leave behind us Ortigosa de Cameros (0h 00min) to descend along the road that leads to the village. Behind us is the hermitage that we entered the previous day. Almost without noticing, we take the turning that leads to the hamlet of Peñaloscintos, the asphalt is the main feature of this initial stretch.

From Peñaloscintos to Villanueva de Cameros 5,56 Km

The panoramic view to the reservoir of González Lacasa dominates our entrance to the village of Peñaloscintos (0h 12min). After passing by the church and descending a flight of steps you head towards the cemetery of the village. We leave the cemetery and Peñaloscintos behind us to follow for a moment the road that the street we were walking on has become. We quickly say goodbye to the road to follow the path that we find in the middle of a bend. We cross a cattle porthole to border a meadow and begin an ascent through a forest in search of another porthole that we will also have to cross.

We will soon find ourselves descending between some old stone walls that precede the uninhabited village of El Hoyo. Here we come to the junction that joins the GR 93 with the GR 190 of the Iberian High Valleys in Villoslada de Cameros. We leave this fork and the uninhabited village behind to continue descending towards the bottom of the ravine. In this section we will have to cross an earth slope to be able to continue descending in search of the bottom of the ravine, a descent that leads us to a wide track along which we will continue. This part of the route takes us to the bridge that crosses the Iregua River and that will allow us to enter Villanueva de Cameros (2h 09min).

From Villanueva de Cameros to Gallinero de Cameros 2,79 Km

The national road and the GR 93 markings take us to the doctor's surgery building, where the steep path that we must follow begins. We go round some houses to head towards the hermitage where the path that will take us definitively out of Villanueva de Cameros awaits us. After a steep ascent, and just after crossing another porthole for cattle, the path begins which, cutting through the mountainside, will guide us on this part of the route. A little further on and after enjoying the views, we begin the descent that will take us into a beech forest. When we come across the stream that runs through it, we will have to go upstream in search of the place where we can cross the wire fence that separates the municipalities of Villanueva and Gallinero. We will have to cross the stream and ascend towards the pass that separates the two sides. From the pass we start the descent that will take us to the village of Gallinero de Cameros (3h 12min).​

From Gallinero de Cameros to Laguna de Cameros 9,4 Km

The GR 93 crosses Gallinero de Cameros following the Calle Real. On the outskirts of the town we have to ford a stream to begin the ascent ahead of us. In the middle of the bend the path awaits us, which we must follow and which will lead us to a new pass. Cross this pass to continue the ascent through bushes. After a while we will find ourselves bordering a meadow to change direction and cross a couple of dirt tracks. Almost without realising it, we reach the path that climbs up to the Libarache refuge, where we are heading. The tough ascent ahead takes us to the junction with the path that leads to the meadows of Libarache, where the aforementioned refuge awaits us. The views from here are unbeatable. We say goodbye to the refuge as we cross the meadow approaching the limits of the beech forest that flanks it.

The Horquín firebreak forces us to make one more effort, the col of the same name marks the dividing line between the Iregua and Leza basins. Here the GR 93 markings make us change firebreak, losing some of the height we have gained. Once again we have to cross a wire fence and a new path to head towards what looks like a hut. We leave this hut behind us and enter the thick forest while we continue descending along a well-defined path that takes us to another water supply hut. We continue descending and after a short while, after a change of orientation, we begin a much steeper descent. After a while we will have to say goodbye to the path we are now descending, to follow a path through the forest. Once again we begin another steep descent that takes us to a stream that we will have to ford. After ascending for a few minutes we will come across a path which we must follow. When we reach a crossroads we start a gentle descent to the final stretch that will take us to the hermitage of Santo Domingo where we enter Laguna de Cameros (5h 36min), the end of this stage of the GR 93.

Coordinates UTM Datúm WGS84

Profile of the route

Cartography

This schematic with the path is approximate and has been created from the derived cartographic base © Instituto Geográfico Nacional "Cuadrante 241-3 y 241-4 1:25.000".

​Variant: Link GR93-GR190 Ortigosa de Cameros-Rock Hincada​