El Ribero brings together a clearly dated historical reference and a BTT route through varied landscapes. Its history includes the establishment of the entailed estate in 1531 and the Torre-Palacio de los Alvarado; the route passes through oak forests and meadows, and runs alongside rivers. Culture and nature thus appeal to different travel interests: on one hand, a specific architectural form; on the other, landscapes that can be identified by their named forests, rivers and open spaces. This gives you two clear questions to consider when choosing a destination: Are you mainly interested in the architectural and founding history, or would you rather explore a BTT route through several types of landscape?

Heritage and Architecture

Juan Sáenz de Alvarado and his wife, María de Velasco, founded the El Ribero entailed estate in 1531. The Torre-Palacio de los Alvarado, also known as the Torre-palacio de los Ribaherrera, was classified as a BIC (Asset of Cultural Interest) in 1949. It has an L-shaped layout with a rectangular corner tower. The year of foundation and the protected status refer to different historical milestones: 1531 dates the founding of the entailed estate, while 1949 marks the Torre-Palacio’s classification.

The L-shaped layout describes the overall complex, while the rectangular corner tower is a single architectural element. This distinctive architectural form gives visitors interested in architecture a point of reference alongside the history of the estate’s founding. Its cultural significance can therefore be understood both through a historical date and through the building’s form.

BTT Route and Landscapes

The Dehesas Montijanas BTT route starts in the recreation and green space of El Ribero de Montija, by the River Cerneja, and passes through the Dehesa de Villasante with its centuries-old oaks. At Monte Edilla, it follows a long, winding path through dense oak forest alongside the River Trueba. The climb to Monte de Bedón passes through pine groves and high-altitude meadows. The route continues across the extensive green meadows of Peña Horrero, with views of the Lagunas de Antuzanos, and reaches its endpoint along paths between the Trueba and the riverside orchards.

The landscapes offer different points of interest: dense oak forest and proximity to the river at Monte Edilla contrast with the open meadows of Peña Horrero and views of the lagoons. If you’re weighing up what you want from a BTT tour, you can distinguish between forest sections, upland meadows and open landscapes. The riverside orchards add another landscape feature near the endpoint.

The Cascada de Aguasal waterfall lies near El Ribero, at the foot of Zalama. This named waterfall is another natural feature of the surrounding area.

Events and Dining Plans

The seventh edition of the Ribero Trail in El Ribero de Montija was scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025. If an event date is important to your trip, check the dates for your specific travel period.

The El Ribero restaurant has a capacity of 60 people; this figure may change. If you’re taking capacity into account when planning, confirm it before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Noceco, San Pelayo.

For the broader travel overview: Loma De Montija.