Corral de Ayllón combines hiking trails through varied landscapes with traces of the area's livestock-farming history and a church with Romanesque and later architectural elements. For planning, the trails offer specific differences to consider: their length, stated duration and scenery vary, while the museum and church offer their own insights into the town.
Hiking trails and landscapes around Corral de Ayllón
Small streams and waterways descend from the peaks of the neighboring Sierra de Ayllón; several hiking trails explore the area. One of them is “Entre cárcavas, robles y encinas” (Among ravines, oaks and holm oaks): the 7.1-kilometer route starts at Plaza de la Iglesia and passes through ravines and oak and holm oak forests. “El robledal de Riboto, el encinar de Saldaña y el pinar del Corral” (The Riboto oak forest, the Saldaña holm oak forest and the Corral pine forest) covers 10 kilometers, with oak, holm oak and pine forests along the route in Corral de Ayllón.
For those who want to compare distances and approximate times, two more details are available: “De la Guadaña al pico del Cerro” (From La Guadaña to Cerro Peak) is 5 kilometers long, has a stated difficulty level of 5 and an estimated duration of two hours. “Del monte a la Vega pasando por Pajares de Fresno” (From the mountain to the Vega via Pajares de Fresno) also starts at Plaza de la Iglesia; the 8-kilometer route is estimated to take around three hours and is also rated difficulty level 5. The longer route is therefore paired with a correspondingly longer estimated duration.
The “De la Guadaña al pico del Cerro” hike leads from Plaza de la Iglesia through Parque Miguel Arribas toward Cerro Peak. Another way to explore the town by running or walking is “Corriendo por la llanura más grande de Segovia” (Running across the largest plain in Segovia): this 9.3-kilometer route runs around a historic airfield. The estimated times given are about 50 minutes running and about two and a half hours walking. “Salir a correr por el monte” (Go for a run in the hills) is also 9.3 kilometers long and follows paths with hardly any climbs; the information is intended for experienced runners and gives an estimated time of about one hour and a difficulty level of 3.
Stage 8 of the Camino Natural de la Cañada Real Soriana Occidental also reaches the municipal area of Corral de Ayllón from kilometer marker 134. Take particular care after crossing the SG-V-9115 road; pedestrians and cyclists should each use the appropriate side of the road.
Church, livestock-farming history and museum
The Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción was built in the 18th century over a Romanesque church. Only the portal remains from the older building. The Chapel of the Virgen de la Soledad contains two Baroque altarpieces. The main altarpiece is Neoclassical and includes a tabernacle and a revolving display case for the monstrance. The church therefore reveals several distinct construction and furnishing phases: the Romanesque portal, the later church and the various altarpieces.
Corral de Ayllón's origins are connected to the area's livestock-farming tradition. Land near the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental was used for years to pen the residents' livestock. A sheepfold survives in the municipal area as evidence of this former livestock farming. The Museo de La Fragua adds to this historical connection as a museum of popular culture: it presents the community's former way of life and the traditional work of the blacksmith. The collection includes nearly 200 objects donated by residents, relating to blacksmithing, agriculture and livestock farming. To visit the museum, contact the town hall or local residents.
The private Aeródromo de La Nava is dedicated to private aviation, particularly gliding. The route around the historic airfield and the hiking trails through the forest and ravine landscape each offer a different focus; the distance and duration information can help you plan your own outings accordingly.
Discover more destinations: Torreiglesias, Brieva, Sacramenia, San Cristóbal De Segovia, Saldaña de Ayllón, Torre Val De San Pedro, Otero De Herreros, Sepúlveda.
For the overview of the wider region: Segovia.
