In Hornos de Moncalvillo, a recreation area beside the Ermita del Cristo, routes through several municipalities and traces of local history come together. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the extensive trail network, individual routes and the activities offered by Campo Activo. This makes it easier to choose the focus of your trip without combining the different destinations into a single tour.
Recreation Area, Forest and Wildlife
The Hornos de Moncalvillo recreation area is next to the Ermita del Cristo. To reach it, travel through Hornos de Moncalvillo in the direction of Daroca de Rioja. The vegetation includes Pyrenean oak and Portuguese oak forests, holm oak stands and heathland.
The wildlife listed for the recreation area includes badgers, wild boar, short-toed snake eagles, green woodpeckers and tree frogs. The list includes mammals, a bird of prey, a woodpecker and an amphibian. Together with the different types of woodland and heathland, this offers a nature-focused experience distinct from the routes and cultural activities in the village.
Routes Between Municipalities and Dehesas
The Centro BTT Moncalvillo trail network covers 250 kilometres and passes through ten municipalities in La Rioja: Daroca de Rioja, Entrena, Fuenmayor, Hornos de Moncalvillo, Medrano, Navarrete, Sojuela, Sotés, Ventosa and Cenicero. This figure describes the network as a whole, not the length of a single loop. If you are looking for a more specific connection, consider the Ruta dos dehesas: it links Navarrete, Hornos de Moncalvillo and Sotés with the dehesas (wooded pastures) of the latter two villages.
The Ruta dos dehesas branches off beside the Ermita del Cristo and climbs continuously to the summit through oak and pine forests. The sustained ascent is an important distinction from the overall network distance; checking the operator's information in advance can help you plan your ride.
The Dehesa del Prado loop offers a different geographical connection. It links Navarrete with the Dehesa de Hornos and continues via the cemetery to Hornos de Moncalvillo. The Ruta dos dehesas also includes Sotés and its dehesa.
Church and Local Traditions
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción combines ashlar stonework with brickwork. During the restoration of the façade, historic windows were restored. The earliest references to Hornos de Moncalvillo date back to the 11th century, providing a historical perspective that reaches further back than the more recent restoration work.
September is also significant for local traditions: the San Cristóbal festival takes place on the first Saturday of the month. A pilgrimage to the Ermita del Cristo is also held in September. The two events offer different points of interest when planning a trip: a local festival and a pilgrimage to the chapel beside which the recreation area is located.
Activities at Campo Activo
Campo Activo is a multi-adventure activity centre in Hornos de Moncalvillo. It has twelve courses of varying difficulty and more than 30 zip lines. The Zona Free Games area offers children aged three and over more than 20 free activities.
Visitor facilities at Campo Activo include parking and a picnic area. If you plan to make use of these facilities during your visit, check the details in advance. Hornos de Moncalvillo therefore offers several different options: nature and wildlife at the recreation area, routes with distinct geographical features, local history and traditions, or activities at Campo Activo.
Discover more destinations: Anguiano, Viniegra de Abajo, Sorzano, Peciña, Villarroya, Zarratón, San Román De Cameros, Grañón.
For the broader travel overview: La Rioja.
