Although it may seem like one of many castles in the Spanish interior, it is said that in this area the father of the writer Victor Hugo, General Hugo, fought important battles with Juan Martin el Empecinado. To prevent him from being able to stay with him, he destroyed the fortress and its murals.
The castle, built in the 11th century -it is more than 1000 years old-, has suffered the usual deterioration due to the passage of time and the wars. Its current owner has put it up for sale for half a million euros. Interested?

This family-owned wine estate is located next to the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara Natural Park, 100 kilometers from Madrid and 55 from Sigüenza. How about starting with an enotourism activity?
In this guided tour you will discover not only the environment and history of the estate, but also the winemaking process and a tasting of three wines paired with cheeses, cured meats and game sausages from the area.
At Finca Río Negro they make their wines with four red varieties: Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. They also have very original wines made with the Gewürztraminer grape from Alsace (France) or the Rhine (Germany). Wines of altitude -1000 meters above sea level-, which make this winery one of the highest vineyards in Europe. Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Weekends and holidays from 9:00 to 18:00.
Reservations phone: +34 913 022 648 / +34 687 978 652 Email (reservations): [email protected] web

Authentic. Rural. Almiruete is a small village located in the foothills of the Sierra de Ayllón where you will begin to see why many towns in this region are called 'Pueblos Negros': thick stone walls, roofs finished in black slate...
Special mention should be made of the beautiful 12th century Romanesque church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, its fountains (Vieja, Nueva and Redonda) and, although some travelers have mentioned that it is temporarily closed, stop by to see if the Museum of Botargas and Mascaritas (also known as the Almiruete Carnival Interpretation Center), which brings together centuries-old pieces that were used in its famous popular festival of the same name, is operational.

Is it the most beautiful town on the Black Towns Route? Many say yes, I leave that up to you after this road trip is over. Valverde de los Arroyos belongs to the network of "The most beautiful villages of Spain", recognition that highlights its beauty and harmony with the environment.
Here the black architecture acquires golden tones due to the fact that some of its roofs mix the characteristic slate with quartzite. Stroll through its streets to the hermitage of the Virgen de Gracia and take a deep breath of fresh air. This time there is no time to visit the Chorreras de Despeñalagua (the trail takes about an hour and a half) but do not hesitate to note this site on your list of "places to visit" in the near future.

Stop and rest. With the early start of this day you are sure to be very hungry. "Los Cantos" is a family restaurant, cozy and rustic with very friendly staff. From their menu we recommend -among other dishes- the beans, croquettes, mushroom scrambled eggs, meats such as sirloin steak or Iberian secret and the raspberry cheesecake.
They serve meals from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday) and until 4:00 p.m. on weekends. Enjoy your meal! Ah! Buy some snacks to take in the car in case you get hungry during the afternoon before returning to Madrid.

Park the car and take a walk through this small village that is located as "in a hole" in a valley surrounded by peaks of the mountains of Guadalajara as the Ocejón, Campachuelo or Collado de San Pedro. Majaelrayo is the starting point for several hiking trails.
In the past Majaelrayo (formerly called Majadas Viejas) had a livestock splendor thanks to the green pastures that surround it. Its buildings maintain the robust trinomial: slate, wood and stone. Try a drink of the fresh water flowing from the village fountains: Caño, Buena and de las Cabezadas.

Some villages in this remote part of the sierra, such as Campillejo, El Espinar, Roblelacasa and Robleluengo, are in a state of ruin and abandonment as a result of the inexorable depopulation due to the extreme isolation of this rugged geography.
Campillejo de Ranas, heart of the route of the Black Villages of Guadalajara, retains its charm mainly in two essential points: the Plaza Mayor and the Church of Santa Maria. Open your lungs, breathe fresh air, tranquility and flood your eyes with landscapes.

The mountains of Guadalajara you can't finish it, even less in one day. The Hayedo de la Tejera Negra Natural Park is accessed from the village of Cantalojas. You have to take a paved track of about 2.5 kilometers that will lead you to the Interpretation Center of the Park and from there another asphalt/earth section of 8 km until you reach the parking lot. Nothing better to end this day touring the Pueblos Negros than a light walk through nature.
It can be visited at any time of the year, although it is in autumn when the beech forest is at its most radiant. On this occasion the idea is that you take a short walk of one kilometer (one way) and return along the same path to stretch your legs. From the parking lot take the Senda de Carretas. It is a circular route of about 6 kilometers but it takes about 2 hours and a half to complete. When you reach an ascending curve you will officially be in the Tejera Negra beech forest accompanied by these elegant trees next to the Carretas stream.
In autumn it is MANDATORY to reserve place online for parking.