Path of the Altuzarra Waterfalls

Description of the Altuzarra Waterfalls Path

From the refuge of Zarcia to Alto of Garrula 3,5 Km

The parking lot next to the Zarcia shelter (0h 00min), serves as a starting point for this route through La Demanda in Burgos.

We follow the continuation of the road that brought us here, to quickly meet the recreational area of Zarcia.

There our path crosses the bed of the Urbión River to continue with it now to our left.

A little further on we find ourselves in front of the crossroads that marks the separation of the routes that ascend to San Millán Peak. We follow the route on the left that continues close to the course of the Urbión River.

Soon we will see a path on our right and further on the Abanza stream that cuts the course of our path.

If the riverbed prevents us from passing, we can go up on its course, or follow the previous path, until we find the bridge that allows us to cross it and return to the path.

Once on the path we will meet, almost at the moment, the beginning of the path we must follow, saying goodbye to the path that follows its course to San Millan Peak.

This path begins to gain height quickly as it winds up the mountainside. As we advance, we will find somewhat steep areas, a prelude to the scenario that awaits us further on.

From now on we must be very attentive to the stone landmarks that mark the route in order not to lose the correct itinerary.

After overcoming this first steep path, the path smoothes out its unevenness and introduces us to a leafy pine forest. It is in this forest where the Majada of the Goats awaits us, from where we will begin to lose some of the height gained.

A rocky slope precedes our arrival at the Altuzarra stream, where the real Path of the Waterfalls begins.

As soon as we arrive at the stream we will cross it to start going up its course. A riverbed that can put us in difficulties and make us look for the best way to continue advancing.

In exchange he gives us splendid corners like the one that hosts the Small Jump, the first of the waterfalls we will visit.

After going up the ledget that has formed the waterfall we will find ourselves looking with relative anxiety for the landmarks that mark the places where, in general, we will have to cross the bed of the Altuzarra stream.

Stream that we will have to cross on numerous occasions. As a general rule we should not get too far from the stream, while following the blurred path that runs through it.

The flow of the stream can notably alter the route and the places where we must cross it, fortunately some red marks, in some trees, join the stone landmarks to help us in the task.

After a while the second waterfall, the Middle Jump, surprises us with its spectacularity. After visiting it, we return to the itinerary ascending the hillside of the mountain, to quickly change direction and face a somewhat exposed step.

From the beginning of the path we are following we see ourselves crossing areas where we must take extreme precautions to avoid falls, and sharpen our sense of direction so as not to follow the wrong path, since the area is quite plagued with stone landmarks that do not mark the right path, or at least the one we should follow.

The Double Jump, the last of the waterfalls on this route, awaits us further on, where we must look for the passage that will allow us to cross the stream again. On the other side we will find the sign that indicates the exit route from this labyrinth of stones and water.

Quickly once again we have to sharpen our eyes so as not to follow the trodden path that goes up into the forest. We will turn off towards the rocky outcrop of the waterfall where we will find the path that we must follow.

This trail winds along the rocky wall making us gain height quickly, without going too far from the creek bed, which we keep listening to.

Once up the creek again marks the course to follow and once again forces us to seek the best area to move forward. A generally well-defined path guides us with the stream to our left.

The detour to the Viewpoint of Domingo Sevilla, which we left behind, marks the near end of this Path of the Altuzarra Waterfalls.

At the moment we arrive next to the sign that now does indicate the path that will take us out of this wild place. A lush pine forest takes center stage as we strive to overcome the considerable slope that separates us from the majada towards which we are heading.

Once again the stone milestones continue to show us the few changes in direction that the path we are walking along draws and that leads us to Alto of Garrula (2h 00min), or the Majada of Garrula as it is also known.

From the Majada of Garrula to the refuge of Zarcia 3,5 Km

In this majada we will join the route that joins Zarcia with San Millán Peak through Sierra Llana, to start the descent towards the recreational area and the refuge from where we started.

A much more trodden path, than the ones walked so far, is in charge of guiding us in this part of the route.

A stretch that makes us lose height quickly, while we go through the typical curves of the mountain routes.

The pine forest that accompanied us gives way to a beautiful beech forest that gives us all its freshness.

Our path reaches its end when it meets the Abanza stream, which we must cross. As soon as we do so, we will see ourselves following its downward course, with no other reference than the flow of water.

Soon we realize that before we had actually waded through one of the many arms of water that the stream has here, and we keep descending in search of the place where we can actually cross it.

Almost hidden by the vegetation, a battered wooden bridge awaits us through which, now, we will cross the Abanza stream.

Already on the other side, and after descending a few meters a wide path awaits us, which we thank at this point of the route.

This path gradually separates us from the ravine where the stream runs, leading us to our final goal.

A good while later we came across the track that ascends from the nearby Urbión River. A track where we continue to lose height.

Almost without realizing it, we come across the path that we followed at the beginning of our route, the path where we will return to the recreational area and the refuge of Zarcia (2h 50min), where our adventure ends.

Technical data sheet of the route

Distance. 7Km

The difficulty of following the route in some areas may cause us to cover more distance than initially expected.

Time. 2:50h

The spectacular nature of the route, together with the difficulty of following it in some areas and the state of the terrain in which we find them, make this figure more than ever a mere estimate.

Time of year

Autumn and spring are, without a doubt, the best time to visit this place, because of its colorfulness and the flow of the stream. It is not advisable to do the route if the rain, the thread or the snow are or have been the protagonists the previous days. Be careful with the hunts that in certain periods of the year can be by the zone and that will prevent us the passage.

Required equipment

Even if it is not a very long itinerary we must equip ourselves correctly. Hiking boots that can withstand water and long pants, the GPS with the corresponding track that serves as a reference are some examples. The hiking poles will be of great help, although at some points they can get in the way a little. Even in the summer we may need some warm clothes, due to the sombre nature of the route. Consult our list of material and equipment for hiking. Read more

Difficulty. Moderate

Physical

Initially neither the distance nor the unevenness to be overcome should be a problem, but we will cross complicated, exposed and quite uneven areas that will require us to be in good physical condition, among other things. These same stretches can stress us more than we think and this increases the physical demand and therefore the accumulated fatigue.

Severity of the environment

Due to the characteristics of the terrain where the route runs, it is not advisable to do it in the opposite direction to the one described, since it increases the risk and possibilities of having an accident. If the terrain is more slippery than usual due to rain, snow or ice we do not recommend doing the route. In addition to the dangers of crossing the streams, some sections of the trail are exposed to vertical falls and the slope of certain sectors of the path is very slippery even in normal conditions.

Orientation

Although we will see milestones of stones and some marks on the trees, the route does not have a correct signaling, partly because of the difficulty of marking the places where we must cross the stream, which undoubtedly change depending on its course. In addition, these milestones can even make us follow the wrong path, since they also mark other routes that run through the area. As if this were not enough, the lack of a clear path in some areas or the many trails in other sections, do not contribute to facilitate the task of following the route.

Coordinates UTM Datum WGS84

Profile of the route

Cartography, maps and tracks

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 239-2 y 239-4 1:25.000".

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.