Riaza: Church Art, Trails and Castilian Cuisine

In Riaza, the Caminos Naturales por Riaza y alrededores comprise more than 100 kilometres of trails through the Sierra de Ayllón.

Circuit 7 runs from Riaza via La Corredera, Collado de Riofrío and La Charca back to Riaza. It is easy, 7.8 kilometres long and takes approximately two hours.

Riaza also has a cycle path and a mountain bike trail that run like a belt around the western side of the town. The nearby Mirador de Peñas Llanas is located at an altitude of 1,440 metres above the Segovia plateau.

Along the SG-1111 road from Riaza to Santibáñez de Ayllón lie eight hamlets that form a route in the heart of the Sierra de Ayllón. The Ruta de colores runs through the southeast of the province of Segovia and offers detours to places of geological interest in the municipalities of Ayllón and Riaza. Scenic trails, cycling routes and geology-focused detours therefore offer different points of interest.

Getting there

From Madrid, you can reach Riaza via the A-1 towards Burgos and then the N-110 towards Soria. From Segovia, the route follows the N-110 towards Soria. You can treat the two approach routes separately in your travel planning.

When comparing accommodation in Riaza for different travel dates, check the travel period, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer page. You can consider this information alongside the town’s scenic, cultural and culinary highlights.

Culture and history

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Manto was built in the 19th century over the ruins of an earlier medieval church. The parish’s sacred art collection at the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Manto displays Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque works, as well as liturgical objects.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Manto houses various processional images of Semana Santa, as well as depictions of Santiago Apóstol and San Juan Bautista. The present-day Ermita de la Virgen de Hontanares dates from 1606. You can consider architectural history, artworks and religious traditions as distinct cultural topics.

Festivals and cuisine

The Fiesta del esquileo in June includes a sheep-shearing demonstration and a traditional market. The Romería de Hontanares takes place on the first Sunday and the second Sunday after the Virgen del Manto and is recognised as a festival of regional tourist interest.

Roast lamb is considered Riaza’s signature dish; traditional dishes also include Castilian soup and cod stew. Riaza is also associated with dishes made from local mushrooms, traditional pastries and confectionery, as well as honey.

Other places: Santo Tomé Del Puerto, Cerezo De Abajo, Castillejo De Mesleón

To the higher-level travel overview: Segovia.