Mountain Villages on the Banks of the Ebro River

The second day of the route begins with the most touristy town in the north of Burgos, Frías.
Due to the large number of tourists that visit it, it is best to avoid visiting at weekends.

The houses in the upper part of Frías were built on the rock and on the edge of the cliff. This architectural marvel from centuries ago made it possible to gain space and build the lower floors by digging into the rock itself.
Nowadays, one of the main attractions of Frías is to see the houses that seem to be hanging over the cliff.
If you want the ideal photo of the houses hanging from the cliff, the intersection of Erren and Candonga streets, in the lower part, is the perfect place.

With the construction of the castle of Frías and to protect the upper part of the town, the town was walled with three access gates.
Small parts of the walls remain, but one of the gates has recently been rebuilt.
This gate was used for nighttime exits, and today it serves as a lookout point over the valley where the village is located.

The castle of Frías played an important role in the defense of the kingdom of Castile.
Built on top of the rock, what you can see today is the outer skeleton with the walls and towers. Unlike other fortresses, here you can walk along the walls and reach the top of the old tower of homage.
One thing is for sure: the views from the fortress will leave you in awe, appreciating the valley and mountains that surround one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:30 - 14:00, 16:00 - 20:00
To visit the castle of Frías you must buy your ticket in advance at the Tourist Office, before going up.

To finish the visit to Frías you have to get back in the car and drive a few kilometres.
When you reach the river Ebro, the image in front of your eyes will tell you everything, a bridge that was originally built by the Romans but was later fortified.
Its nine arches and the tower nestled right in the middle give it a particular beauty. If you stand in the middle of the bridge you will see Frías with the silhouette of the castle at the top.
There is a car parking space next to the medieval bridge.

The route continues along a scenic road through the mountains, passing through the village of Pesquera del Ebro, until it reaches a panoramic viewpoint.
Stop the engine, park the car and walk a few meters to the viewpoint.

The course of the river Ebro runs in some areas through a steep canyon over high mountains covered in green, creating a spectacular landscape for the eyes.
At this viewpoint, you can appreciate the depth of the canyon, which in some sections reaches up to 200 meters. It is a natural habitat for several species of birds, so keep an eye out for the flight of vultures and eagles.

Next stop, another of the villages that sums up the beauty of the north of the province of Burgos, Orbaneja del Castillo.
A mountain route along the banks of the river Ebro takes you to the village's parking area.

Restaurant where you can choose from a set menu with various options for starters and main courses. The menu includes bread and dessert.
The main courses include regional dishes such as peppers stuffed with black pudding or scrambled black pudding with port wine and nuts, two delicious dishes.
The restaurant is housed in a restored old house, which gives it a special atmosphere.
Open Hours: Wednesday - Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00 Monday - Tuesday: closed

The viewpoint in the village offers several views. On the one hand, it is the highest point in Orbaneja, so you can see the whole village from above and the source of the watercourse that gives rise to the waterfalls that flow into the river Ebro.
On the other hand, you can see the great cliffs at the top of the canyon that surround the village.
To get to the viewpoint, you have to climb some stairs next to the waterfall. The climb does not require a great effort, and the views are well worth it.

Orbaneja is a work of art of nature. Not only is it located in the canyon of the Ebro River with its high rocky walls, there is also a waterfall that crosses the center of the village and leaves pools of crystal clear water in its path.
The source of the waterfall and the end of the waterfall is in the village itself. The waterfalls begin at the viewpoint and end when the water course flows into the Ebro River.
On its way through the village, it flows between medieval houses and bridges.

One of the last stops on the two-day route is in Covanera to observe a natural site of great beauty.
Park the car and walk about ten minutes to get there.

The magic of the north of Burgos are the natural enclaves. This pool of water is ideal for cooling off in the summer, although the water temperature is usually cold all year round.
Its turquoise water and being surrounded by mountains allows you to enjoy a moment of relaxation and connection with nature.

To finish the route and before returning to Burgos, it is time for dinner. In the village of Sotopalacios, this restaurant offers a menu at noon and à la carte dishes and starters in the evening.
Choose local dishes such as fried eggs with black pudding or cecina de Leon. If you like meat, the stewed pig's trotters are homemade and well done.
Open Hours: Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 22:30 Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00

After a two-day walk through villages, landscapes and natural attractions in the north of the province of Burgos, the route comes to an end.