Stage 1: Fontibre - Montes Claros

On the other side, the path continues by the river, going under the bridges and the A-67, until it reaches Requejo. After heading south, once you have crossed the Ebro, you will walk a little more than 1.5 km along the CA-731 road’s cycle path, before ending up in Bolmir, beside the 12th century Romanesque church of San Ciprián. The Ebro Natural Trail now crosses the road leading to Arroyo and ascends through the fields to Retortillo. In this village, you can visit the Romanesque church of Santa María, which also dates to the 12th century, and the site of the Roman city of Julióbriga and its visitor centre.

Without entering the village, you will have to go through a gate and continue along a track, leaving the water tank on the left and the cemetery on the right, to reach El Apartadero and Camporredondo. From there, a path begins on the left and ascends the mountainside to the summit of El Cotío and, one kilometre further on, reaches Peña Cutral (1,085 m).

The views are breathtaking from this point: Peña Labra (2,017 m), Pico Tres Mares (2,222 m), Reinosa and the reservoir and meanders of the Ebro. In the background rise the Pasiega mountains, with the Castro Valnera (1,718 m) and the Picón del Fraile (1,648 m). To the south, an immense space stretches towards Valderredible and Castile.

The path continues along the ridgeline of the mountain range, a long grassy braña leading to the El Arroyo pass (1,126 m). Once past Peñastrosa, the route descends until it reaches Arroyo. You will then cross the village on the road, observing some 19^th century buildings, such as the glass factory, and the Ebro reservoir, which was created in the 20^th century.

After the dam, an old road ascends to La Aguilera through a dense oak forest. Once outside the village, you will leave the Romanesque church of San Miguel behind you and take the road from Arroyo. After the last houses, a dirt track leads to a gate on the right that gives access to a farm. After that, you have to descend on a track through grassy fields, with views of the Peña Labra mountain range and the Ebro.

The path leads to a firebreak, which you will have to descend to cross the Morgado stream, before ascending again. After passing it, turn right, southwards, along a track that descends through pastureland and pine trees, over the Tasugueras stream, to Bustasur. Now on the road, the path turns left and passes the Romanesque church of San Julián, a 12th century building, before continuing to a detour on the right that leads down to the bridge over the Ebro.

You will then cross over and follow the path that ascends on the right which, through a dense oak forest, leads to a track that leads you to the Montes Claros halt and, once you have crossed the railway line, an asphalt track leading to the car park and rest area beside the Montes Claros monastery. This monastic complex has a guesthouse, open from May to October, a bar and a museum with a remarkable butterfly collection.

It is possible to continue the route to the next stage without ascending to the Montes Claros Sanctuary by means of a branch track which, from the bridge over the Ebro, runs parallel to the river before reaching a junction with Stage 2.