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Path of the Pinewood
Almarza de Cameros, La Rioja
(1)
A forest that hides a thousand admirable surprises
Difficulty-Low
1:35 h.
5 km.
Almarza de Cameros, La Rioja (1)
A forest that hides a thousand admirable surprises
Difficulty-Low
1:35 h.
5 km.
Situated on the mountains that mark out the Iregua valley, in the region of Camero Nuevo, more specifically in Almarza de Cameros, is the Estate of Ribavellosa, a relatively small extension of mountain that will surprise us with its rich biodiversity. Here the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates come together, each of them contributing their own unique features to the landscape of this natural spot in La Rioja.
The Path of the Pinewood along its 5 km will enter us in the leafy forest of repopulation that characterizes to this route of senderismo, composed of wild pine, kermes oaks and red firs that little by little are ceding and sharing part of its protagonism with the autochthonous species that here give appointment. From the visitors' centre at Estate of Ribavellosa, we start walking along this Main Path of Pinewood surprising us at every step, and not only with the lush pine forest we walk through, but also with trees such as Montpellier Maple adapted to the two types of climates that occur here.
Soon we have to find the Path of the Encinar, a pleasant walk through a clear exponent of the Mediterranean climate that characterizes this part of the mountain that we are traveling. In front of us there is still a beautiful route that will bring us closer to the starting point of the Path of the Witches, another of the options we are offered in this area of the Estate of Ribavellosa. Returning to our route we will return to enter the thick pine forest to meet again with the Path of the Encinar, that from the previous crossing that we left behind takes until here uniting both slopes of our route. From here we only have to go back to the visitors' centre, from where we leave, without stopping to enjoy the different surprises that the forest has in store for us.
If we go with small children, initiating them to trekking or as a reason to spend a pleasant day in the middle of nature, this route allows us to adapt its total route to our needs, thanks to the fact that the Path of the Encinar closes a very inferior circle in extension to which to cross the Main Path of the Pinewood.
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 Visitors' Centre is located, we will find ample parking areas around the buildings of the estate.
An ideal walk so that our dog, in addition to enjoying it, can get used to hiking routes of greater demand. Of course we must be attentive to the recommendations and regulations that govern the Estate of Ribavellosa.
No matter how short or simple the route is, it is important to bring some water, especially if it is summer.
In addition to the different pets, with which we will surely meet, it is very probable that we will come across the different animals that live in these mountains.
We begin this entertaining hiking route through the Estate of Ribavellosa leaving behind the building that houses the visitors center (0h 00min) to cross the playground and the main car park of the old building of the park.
On its side there are some stairs waiting for us, which we must descend to get to the access to the paths.
Quickly we find ourselves immersed in the thick pine forest that we are going to cross following the well signposted path inside. The path loses height with a certain speed and soon reaches one of the typical curves that force us to change course as if we wanted to return to the starting point.
But nothing further from reality, at the moment our path recovers its orientation, taking us even further into the dense forest. This beautiful hiking route, ideal for children, gives us the great diversity that this forest has.
Without any major complications, we go through the forest following the marked path that crosses it. The green marks of our route confirm the good course we are following while we begin to recover part of the lost height.
After a while we arrive at the crossroads with the path of the Encinar (0h 20min), a point where those who so decide can continue along the path on the left, thus shortening the final distance of the itinerary considerably, an interesting option if the family begins to tire.
If the option is to do the whole route, we leave behind without deviating, this junction and continue straight through the thick pine forest that surrounds us thanks to the perfect path that guides us.
This stretch requires a small effort to overcome the slope. Little by little the forest is giving way to the landscape that surrounds us.
After a while our path turns round, making it clear to us that we are starting our way back to the buildings of the Estate of Ribavellosa, at the same time that the steep profile we are overcoming reaches its end, making us descend again in search of our next objective.
This section alternates more open areas, where we will have magnificent views, with others where the forest closes around us again.
After descending a new ramp we will find the crossroads where the Path of the Witches begins (1h 05min), route that we can follow if we so decide but that we will have to retrace to return to this point and to take again the Main Path of the Pinewood to return to the point from which we left.
Once again the road returns to make us gain height in what may be the most demanding stretch of route of all.
The few roads that we find are pertinently cut and well signposted the direction to follow which is none other than the one that marks our perfect path. Again the pines take all the protagonism leaving us a pleasant and conditioned walk.
After a while on our left we are joined by the path that follows the Path of the Encinar (1h 20min), a path by which those who decided to shorten the route at the first junction will arrive here, which if we take a good look, is not so far away.
We follow the route of our Path of the Pinewood and its corresponding blue marks to go to the near end of the route.
This area, totally enveloped by the lush pine forest, allows us to enjoy it with little effort, given its smooth profile.
Almost without realizing it we see ourselves in the limits of the forest that we have just crossed. The path leads us to another of the parking areas of the Estate of Ribavellosa, which we will follow until the road by which we access this site, where is located the visitors center (1h 35min) of the park and the final point of this hiking route.
Distance. 5KmThis figure may vary depending on the itinerary followed.
Time. 1:35hIf we dare to go along the Path of the Witches we will have to add about 30 min more to our total time of route, while if we shorten by the Path of the Encinar we will shorten in almost 50 min the time used.
Time of yearAll year round we will find different motivations that will encourage us to walk this trail in La Rioja. Although it is true that thanks to the diversity of species that grow in the interior of the pine forest we will find a few colourful surprises in the autumn and spring months, which undoubtedly extend the value of this route. Attention the Estate of Ribavellosa generally closes to the public from mid-December to mid-February, in addition to having an opening hours the rest of the year.
Required equipmentExcept in very punctual moments the good state of the path and the relative simplicity of the route allows us to face it without headaches. Of course it is always preferable and advisable to equip ourselves at least with a few minimums and not get into a path through the mountains with street shoes, without water and without some information of what awaits us. Consult our list of material and equipment for hiking. Read more.
Difficulty. LowPhysical
Except for some ramp we will not have to face great physical challenges, we also have the possibility of shortening, if necessary, the route following the Path of the Encinar and lowering a few kilometers the global computation of the route, a good option if we go with the little ones.
Severity of the environment
By constantly following trails in good condition, well signposted, and as long as we do not abandon them, we are faced with a route that should not create any complications for us.
Orientation
Signposted at all times and with the different paths that we will cross, with the access cut, except for those that correspond to the official trails of the Estate of Ribavellosa, we will have no more complication than deciding the path to follow, bearing in mind that only the Path of the Pinewood is the one that will return us to the Visitor Center.
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| 1-Visitor Center | 0:00h | 1073m | 0Km | 30T 533843 4677069 |
| 2-Path of the Encinar | 0:20h | 1045m | 1.2Km | 30T 533024 4676795 |
| 3-Path of the Witches | 1:05h | 1016m | 3.1Km | 30T 532769 4676145 |
| 4-Path of the Encinar | 1:20h | 1060m | 3.9Km | 30T 533113 4676672 |
| 5-Visitor Center | 1:35h | 1073m | 5Km | 30T 533843 4677069 |
Coordinates UTM Datum WGS84
Slope: 324m
Slope +: 162m
Slope -: 162m
Maximum altitude: 1084m
Minimum altitude: 1016m
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 241-4:25.000"
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.
Nos gustó mucho, nosotros acortamos por el sendero del encinar, los peques disfrutaron de lo lindo, lo recomiendo.
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¿Did you know that...
In the Estate of Ribavellosa there was formerly a village, succeeded in time by the current buildings that were used as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients, later becoming a children's colony and summer residence, use that continues to maintain today.
Don't miss out...
The environment that surrounds you while you walk along the path, if you pay attention and do not make too much noise surely you will be able to discover some of the animals that inhabit here, to listen to the song of the different birds of the zone or to find the footprints of roe deer, wild boar and deer among other animals.
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 11-11-2017. 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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