Somewhere on the road from Burgos to Santander in northern Spain , the lovely little town of Orbaneja del Castillo is nestled on the rocky shores of the Ebro valley. The town is very little known by Spaniards and foreigners themselves, so we wanted to tell you about it and its transparent waterfalls.
Unlike other traditional towns in the area that are mainly there to attract tourists, Orbaneja is as real as it sounds. The houses are rustic and old but not run down, the traditional architecture is charming without too much effort, and the views are incredible. From the city, you have a clear view over the edge of the Ebro gorge, covered in curious silhouettes.
Often times, especially on bridges or at Easter, it is really difficult to visit Orbaneja del Castillo, due to the large number of people and cars that occupy it. There is hardly any place to park and, if you can manage it, it is very far from the town. As an alternative, the option is to walk , but it is worth it for the views and scenery that you will enjoy.
A walk through Orbaneja del Castillo that will surprise you with its beauty
15 km from Casa Rural La Toba, at km. 66 of the national 623 , you can leave your car parked on the path to the right.
An extravagant silo to store the salt will welcome you, along with an old shop. This is where the path begins, which belongs to the great route of the Ebro and to the natural paths . You will only have to walk 2.2 km to reach the beautiful town of Orbaneja del Castillo.
The road, which was used years ago to drive the carts up to the highlands of the páramo, is well preserved. At the beginning of the route you will find a mausoleum in tribute to three young people who died in the harsh confrontations of the civil war.
The trail is ideal for both hiking and cycling . On both sides you will see circular stone constructions, called huts , which Orbaneja residents used as a refuge when they worked on the lands of the upper part and other extensions for pasture and livestock.
As you walk, in less than half an hour, you will be surprised by the fantastic view of the canyons and Orbaneja del Castillo in the background , next to the Ebro river. You will descend surrounded by large rocks and their curious shapes , which with the imagination invite us to play to see how do they look. What everyone sees, when they approach the city, are the kissing camels and the map of Africa.
The town of Orbaneja del Castillo, built on a slope and under impressive stone walls, with its cave, and the water that falls forming beautiful waterfalls between its houses, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Castilla y León.
In about 40 minutes you will arrive in Orbaneja, where you can enter several cafes and restaurants, whose tables are placed next to the stream , in a small square, when the weather is good.
The great combination of spectacular natural landscapes , with a city that has managed to maintain all its popular touch, Orbaneja del Castillo, without a doubt, has one of the most beautiful and impressive enclaves that can be seen in the north of Spain.
