Lanchares: Zamarrones tradition, oaks and moorland habitats

Lanchares can be considered for a travel decision in terms of culture, nature and outdoor activities. The Zamarrones tradition and the Casa de los Arcos represent different cultural perspectives, while holm oaks and moorland habitats add natural features. The PR-S 78 hiking trail and seasonal winter activities offer further points of interest when you are deciding which aspects to prioritise on your trip.

Traditions and architectural history

The Fiesta de los Zamarrones has been celebrated since time immemorial in Lanchares, in the municipality of Campoo de Yuso. Historically, during the traditional Zamarrones masquerade, young men and women walked through the streets of Lanchares on Shrove Tuesday, singing coplas and going from house to house asking for an aguinaldo. The way it is celebrated today may differ. The Casa de los Arcos dates from the 17th century. In this way, traditions and architectural history offer two cultural perspectives: a long-standing festive tradition and a building from a specific century.

Trees and moorland habitats

The English oaks (Quercus robur L.), known as “Robles Centenarios,” stand both in the centre of Lanchares and at the entrance to the village. In the centre, they offer a good opportunity to observe the trees. The oaks are therefore prominent natural features both in the village landscape and at its entrance. There is also a well-developed example of moorland habitats on an arm of the Embalse del Ebro in the Lanchares area. For nature enthusiasts, these offer different points of interest: individual, named English oaks in the village and moorland habitats on an arm of the reservoir. The nature experience thus ranges from a specific tree location to a wetland.

Hiking trail and seasonal activities

The PR-S 78 hiking trail runs along sections of paved roads, rural gravel tracks, and paths through woodland and meadows. You will therefore encounter different surfaces and landscapes. If you take the character of the route into account when planning your trip, this mix is a useful guide. The Centro Ornitológico de Población-Lanchares is one of the attractions along the PR-S 78. Access to visitor facilities at the Centro may vary by season; bear this in mind if you plan to use them. For trip planning, this information answers two different questions: the PR-S 78 identifies the Centro as an attraction along the trail, while the seasonal note concerns visitor facilities at the Centro.

Between Orzales and Lanchares, when there is snow and local conditions are suitable, snowshoeing is possible on a network of firebreaks with gentle gradients. Cross-country skiing is also offered within the municipality of Campoo de Yuso. The locations differ: snowshoeing takes place between the two villages, while the cross-country skiing offer applies to the municipality. Both activities depend on snow and local conditions; the gentle gradient is a specific feature of the firebreak network.

For an overview of the wider area: Campoo De Yuso.