SerViajera
Without Vineyards, But Full of Traditions
During centuries, before the snow would arrive in Tierra de Cameros, huge flocks of sheep guided by skillful shepherds started the long walk to the valleys of Extremadura. That time is gone. However, in the villages and the remote small villages of this land, these traditions and customs of seasonal migration survive.
Tierra de Cameros is one of those calm regions where you can hear the singing of the birds and the whisper of the wind in between the trees. Two rivers run through it: Leza in Cameros Vieja, the most arid area of the region; and Iregua in the lusher Cameros Nuevo. The latter is dominated by the Sierra de Cebollera, a fantastic Natural Park that calls for adventure in the wooded paths.
Proud of their identity, almost all the villages of the region have the word "Cameros" in their name. Villoslada de Cameros is the first one you have to see. Clustered on a hill, there is the crystalline Iregua running under the old bridge. The village is the access door to the Natural Park of Sierra de Cebollera and to the most remote and desolate area of Tierra de Cameros. Through narrow paths, during snow white winters, you arrive to Montenegro de Cameros and Viniegra de Arriba, a fantasy small village inhabited by a few shepherds. Then there is the Urbión River, running through Viniegra de Abajo and dumping the water in the Najerilla.
Brieva de Cameros appears just after crossing the woods. It is a lovely village where traditions of seasonal migration of stocks are remembered by throwing a great party. A few kilometers further, astride a spectacular narrow pass, Ortigosa de Cameros dreams about its rich stockbreeder and textile past. Beautiful houses with coats of arms are part of the popular architecture of the village, pervaded with the smell of the dark mangers. Not far away one finds Rasillo de Cameros, looking from above at the swamp of González de Lacasa, Nieva en Cameros, with its rocky castle and Torrecilla en Cameros, active capital of the region.
There is not much left before going back to Villoslada; Cameros Nuevo is already over. Do not miss out on this different Rioja, without vineyards, but full of traditions and memories.
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