Sendero del Sabinar del Arlanza (PR-BU-78) — circular desde Espinosa de Cervera

We continue with our hiking trails, touring and learning more about our neighboring regions. This time the wind takes us to the region of the Arlzanza valley, and specifically to get to know the Arlanza juniper path in Espinosa de Cervera, very close to Santo Domingo de Silos and Yecla. We start the trail on the road, next to the hermitage of San Roque. A large information panel shows us the route we have to take. We will start along the path that after a few meters we turn to the right to continue gently ascent along a very muddy path, with reddish sands, up to a beautiful hermitage, that of San Ginés. Continuing along the path, heading north, the path will take us parallel to the Briongos de Cervera road, but before approaching, a sign about 500 meters away invites us to get to know a spectacular hundred-year-old holm oak, possibly included in the catalogs of singular trees of Burgos. After visiting this enormous holm oak in great detail, we continue along the same path, perfectly signposted with its vertical wooden beacons. We will cross the road and continue along a track in good condition for a few hundred meters to turn left to go up Mount Picacho. From this privileged point we see the horizon, the griffon vultures fly, and the great gorges of Yecla boast of their beauty. Back on the path, walking to the north we will arrive at a young pine forest, arriving at a path to shortly approach the beautiful hermitage of Talamanquilla. A place of silence, mystical, with no one around; that makes the visitor obtain a well-felt peace. We left from the hermitage in the direction and by track towards Espinosa, but a few meters after leaving we crossed the stream where a steep climb along the marked trail leads us up a mountain range that will descend us to the Arroyo Mayor. The Arroyo Mayor at this time of year has a good flow, taking its waters to the south. Little by little, our path narrows into a canyon, with some rocky cliffs that are low in height, but very beautiful. It is necessary to mention that after heavy rains that have fallen in our area, the karsts will be full of water, the mountains have accumulated a large amount of water, which in one way or another has to be released. In most cases, these streams, which are usually dry, now have a good flow. It has been a bit uncomfortable for us to jump across the river at least five times to avoid getting wet. We continue downstream, and we are surprised by a small spring of water, with a large flow. As I have mentioned before, the limestone areas due to erosion in the subsoil are full of cavities; These are filled with water from the heavy rains and as the water seeks its way, it breaks by itself through any fissure in the rocks, leaving these beautiful images.