THE GORGES OF EBRO RIVER BETWEEN
ORBANEJA DEL CASTILLO AND PESQUERA DE EBRO
Orbaneja del Castillo and Pesquera de Ebro are connected by two “Ebro Nature Trail” GR99 alternative routes. In the North the route runs through Orbaneja Moorland, across Turzo. In the southern route both towns are connected by the Ebro, going through Escalada, Quintanilla de Escalada and Valdelateja.
There is nevertheless another route well worth doing to get to Escalada and Quintanilla through the Moorlands of La Lora. This trail presents landscape of great beauty and breathtaking panoramic views over the Ebro and its canyons, besides several points of interest such as some parapets used during the Civil War, an extraordinary natural viewpoint over Escalada, before going down to Quintanilla de Escalada and the Ralí spring and yard, lacking use and therefore now covered by vegetation, but which had been used until recently to keep livestock grazing on the higher and fresher areas in spring. The trail also presents the typical contrasts of the area: beech woods, Quercus faginea and Holm oak mixed forests, scrubland with more or less clear Holm oak woods and wooded grassland.
Doing the trail across La Lora requires some extra effort and better physical fitness as it is 7.2 km long with significant level differences of between 250 to 300 metres, while through the GR99 trail between Orbaneja del Castillo and Quintanilla de Escalada there are only 6.5 quite flat kilometers.
In Valdelateja, after a short and enjoyable 1 km path, crossing the abandoned town of Siero – where Valdetalateja was previously placed – there is an interesting 7th century Visigoth chapel. From Santa Céntola and Santa Elena chapel there is a nice view over Rudrón Valle and the so-called Valdelateja abandoned meander.
The villages and towns are really fascinating and they are worthwhile a visit. The visitor can also have a stop and have some drink or snack to recover strengths.
A pair of binoculars will be very useful, as several birds of prey can be watched from all over the trail. Griffon vultures, peregrine falcons, Egyptian vultures and golden eagles can be seen flying or perched.