Orbaneja del Castillo is a medieval town in Burgos declared a Historic-Artistic Site and considered by some as a fantastic place almost like those of fairy tales. Its beauty lies in the fact that it is crossed by a wonderful waterfall and around it were built small houses with viewpoints overlooking the great canyon of the river Ebro.
The typical wooden balconies of the houses are decorated with different types of flowers and its steep and narrow streets are the most striking of the place, so it is worth a tour through them and take beautiful pictures in different perspectives. The whole village is a dream of a place that seems to transport you to medieval times, as it allows you to evoke an interesting past in the whole atmosphere of the place.
Visiting the Orbaneja del Castillo Waterfall
The waterfall was formed because the force of the river gave way to the tuffaceous terrain and created stone terraces in a natural way, although they seem to be sculpted by the perfection of nature. Its flow depends on the time of year but remains strong until it reaches the Ebro River. The urban structure is mediated by the beauty of the waterfall that rises in the center of the village and that is undoubtedly the main cause of the structure of the locality.
Hiking
There are three recommended routes; the natural path of the Ebro where you can cross the bridge over the river Ebro and start your walk where you can head to the left to reach the place called Quintanilla Escalada or to the right and find yourself in the vast territory of the valley of Valderredible. Here you can see a group of cave hermitages and if you continue you can reach the Collegiate Church of San Martín de Elines.
The Senda de los Chozos is a 5 km. route that starts at the Cueva del Agua. Right in the centre of the village and along the path you will find old shepherd’s huts and observe amazing landscapes.
The Orbaneja Castle is a short route that takes you to the other side of the Ebro canyon. Those rocks that can be seen from the town and where you will marvel at nature.
Other trails will take you to the Tobazo waterfall. You can go there from the nearby village of Villaescusa de Ebro where a path will take you to the waterfall.
What to explore in Orbaneja del Castillo
Many caves exist around the place. For example, the cave of Niésparo at 90 m. on the riverbed where different species of flora and fauna live. You can also visit the cave of Azar located near the village which has some cave paintings. The water cave where a stream flows and ends with a 25 m drop. towards the river Ebro. This stream divides the town in two and is distinguished by the names Villa and Puebla.
Another place to explore is known as the Eras de Orbaneja where there are different stone huts built in limestone masonry that are used as barns or shelter during the storm.
Enjoy the town and the gastronomy
The gastronomic offer of Orbaneja del Castillo is quite wide. You will be able to access many places where they offer very good value menus and traditional food.
For many years different ethnic groups such as Mozarabs, Christians and Jews coexisted there, which is why there is an important gastronomic heritage.
There are few settlers and families who stay during the winter. However in the summer holidays the place is usually very visited and crowded with tourists. That is why there are several places that offer services to visitors such as bars and restaurants, as well as accommodation.
The town also has some monuments that stand out for their picturesque mountain architecture and the urban fabric typical of the medieval period. The houses and their wooden balconies give the impression of being suspended in the air.
The best time to visit Orbaneja del Castillo is during spring and summer. Although it is better to do it during the week, since on weekends the town will be at full capacity and you will have to get up early to walk the streets quietly. Don’t forget to book for high season and well in advance, as it is a very popular destination in the high season Burgos.
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