Rows of traditional houses, a stone washhouse with a spring and distinctive details on individual buildings give Los Tojos a distinctive cultural and historical character. The village lies at an elevation of 650 metres on a mid-slope site on the left bank of the Argoza River. Both its building and craft traditions and its connection to the GR-71 hiking trail may be of interest when planning your visit.

Hillside Setting and Village Layout

Los Tojos has a linear, crescent-shaped settlement pattern. To the southeast, it opens out across a small ridge into extensive pastureland. The ridge marks the transition between the line of the settlement and the open grazing land. Together with its location on the Argoza, this orientation shapes the village’s appearance.

The traditional houses are generally two storeys high, have solanas and stand in rows. A row of adjoining houses illustrates a rural building style: typically, it began with an original house, with further houses added alongside it, sharing a party wall. Their arrangement in rows and shared walls make this building principle easy to see.

Casa de los Perros is a traditional building with a covered porch and solana. A Montañés manor house in the village has two round arches leading to its covered porch. Thus, alongside the recurring features of the houses, there are also distinctive details on specific named buildings.

Buildings and Local Traditions

A family coat of arms bearing the names Pedro González, Ríos, Gómez, Linares and Cossío can be seen on Casa de Pepón. Local tradition relates that the future Charles I stayed at Casa de Pepón, or at Pepón’s former inn, while travelling to Castile.

Another local tradition concerns Casa de los Perros: Adrian of Utrecht is said to have stayed there in 1517 while accompanying the future Charles I. Both accounts are tied to specific buildings and are presented as traditions.

Washhouse and Craftsmanship

The washhouse with a spring in Los Tojos is a stone structure with a wooden pitched roof and a sloping washbasin. Historically, washhouses also served as meeting places: women washed clothes there, exchanged news, strengthened neighbourhood ties and kept local traditions and customs alive.

Woodworking is also part of the village’s cultural history. Agricultural tools such as rakes, pitchforks and winnowing tools were made in the house doorways. Local woodwork was known as “la Garauja”. The Escuela de Mueble Montañés de Los Tojos became better known in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Hiking and Getting Your Bearings

The trail from Bárcena Mayor to Los Tojos is part of the second stage of the GR-71 “Sendero de la Reserva del Saja”. This stage runs from Bárcena Mayor to Saja. If you are planning a hike, check local trail conditions before setting out.

The Centro de Interpretación del Parque Natural Saja-Besaya is immediately south of Saja, at kilometre 13 on the CA-280 regional road (Cabezón de la Sal–Reinosa), at the start of the ascent to Puerto de Palombera and within the municipality of Los Tojos. As seasonal opening conditions may apply, check the centre’s official website before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Bárcena Mayor, Bárcena De Cicero, El Astillero, Val De San Vicente, Villafufre, Silió, Valcaba, Torrelavega.

For the regional travel overview: Cantabria.