Natural Landscapes of Burgos: Rivers, Salt Lakes and Waterfalls

It is important to take into account the time of the year when you visit the villages in the north of Burgos, as the climate changes a lot depending on whether it is summer or winter.
In summer, temperatures are pleasant during the day and cool at night, so it is always advisable to take at least a light coat.
In winter, maximum temperatures do not usually exceed 12 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures drop to 0 degrees Celsius. If you're travelling at this time of year, bring a mackintosh, a jacket and plenty of warm clothes.

The first village on the route has a history linked to the salt mines. Before visiting, it is worth a stroll through the streets of the centre with its brick-coloured facades, reddish roofs and narrow cobbled streets.
On the way, you will discover the old emblematic buildings of the village such as the town hall and the birthplace of Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, a man who advocated the preservation of nature by making documentaries for Spanish and international television.

The salt pans are still in operation today, and you can visit them on your own. When you go there, you will probably meet the workers collecting the salt, and they will be happy to explain how they do the work.
The tour takes you through the salt pans, the salt deposit and the salt washers. There are explanatory signs about the history and methods of extraction.
You don't have to go to the Dead Sea to float in the water. You can dive into the small pools, and you won't sink!
Next to the salt pans, you will find the Salt Interpretation Centre with explanatory videos.
There are also guided tours every day at 13:00. On Saturdays and Sundays, there are also tours at 16:00.

Only the main structure of this ancient fortress has been preserved; inside there are only ruins. Its location at the top of the mountain makes it a worthwhile visit.
From here you can see the valley between the mountains and the whole village of Poza de la Sal from above.
There is a place to park the car a few metres from the castle, next to the picnic area. It is only a 10-minute walk from the parking, although you have to be careful with the slippery steps.

After Poza de la Sal, you have to drive again to reach the next village, Oña.
Leave the car in the car park, walk across the bridge over the river Oca and enjoy this small town.

It's time for lunch! This restaurant stands out for a different proposal, as its chef is Senegalese and has created unique dishes that combine Castilian and Senegalese cuisine.
Here you can taste the fusion of the two cuisines by trying the lamb brochette with wheat cous-cous and sultanas, or the tuna loin with sweet potato purée and peanut sauce.
There are also dishes from the region such as the famous Oña black pudding, or exclusively Senegalese dishes such as Thiebou Djeen or Yassa Poulet.
Open Hours: Wednesday - Thursday, Sunday: 13:30 - 15:30 Friday - Saturday: 13:30 - 15:30, 21:15 - 22:30

After lunch, the walking tour of the village begins. The first stop is the church, which, together with the town hall and the Plaza de la Constitución, form an ensemble worthy of admiration.
The church is small, but what stands out in its interior is the resin museum, a product that was once a very popular product in the area. Through an exhibition of objects and their history, the work done with the material is shown.
To round off the visit to the church, you can climb the tower to contemplate the views of the village from above.
Open Hours: From 15 March to 31 October Tuesday - Sunday: 10:30 - 18:30 Monday: closed
From 1 November to 14 March Tuesday - Sunday: 10:30 - 17:30 Monday: closed

A real treasure in the village of Oña and its main attraction. Although it was built in the 11th century, over the centuries and thanks to its continuous extensions, it has different architectural styles including Gothic, Mudéjar and Baroque.
It takes time to explore the interior, but you will find frescoed relics, royal tombs such as that of Sancho II, the former king of Castile, the imposing organ which is still used for concerts and the cloister.
An audio guide is available to make the visit more enjoyable.
Open Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:30 - 13:30, 16:00 - 18:30 Monday: closed
After touring the monastery, it is time to return to the parking lot, pick up the car and continue a few kilometers to the next stop, the village of Tobera.

One of the postcards of the route lies in the village of Tobera. More precisely, the image given by the medieval bridge that crosses the river Molinar together with the hermitage of Cristo de los Remedios in the upper part.
If you go up to the hermitage, which is about a five-minute walk, you can see how the river flows through the middle of the village.
There is a place to park your car on the other side of the river, next to the medieval bridge.

The river Molinar is as if it were the main street of the village of Tobera, as the houses are located on both sides of its banks.
There is a path next to the river that allows you to walk through the village from one end to the other and contemplate the small waterfalls that form. Listening to the sound of the water as you walk and contemplate the surroundings is something you often come across in the province of Burgos.
If you are travelling with children, they will surely enjoy it to the full, as you can even bathe in the pools of water that form the waterfalls!

Ideal place to eat thanks to its environment, since its outdoor terrace is located next to a waterfall. Even after eating, there is direct access to the waterfall by a staircase.
It has different menus with regional dishes, among which stand out the suckling pig or lamb grilled. If you want to try something typical of the area made differently, do not miss the black pudding lasagna.
Open Hours: Monday - Thursday: 10:00 - 22:00 Friday: 10:00 – 23:30 Saturday - Sunday: 10:30 – 23:30

An ideal place to have a pleasant rest. It is located on the side of the road and surrounded by green mountains. For the little ones, there is a children's play area and picnic areas next to it.
The rooms are comfortable, clean, preserving the rural atmosphere of the old house. Getting up and contemplating the views of the surroundings is priceless!
The hotel has a bar and restaurant.