Ojacastro – Hiking, Chapels and Festivals

Ojacastro offers a variety of reasons to visit: walks and mountain hiking routes, architecture, festivals and regional cuisine. Several details can help with planning, such as route length and elevation gain, the architectural features of a chapel or the date of an event.

Hiking Trails and Routes

Ojacastro offers a range of walks and mountain hiking routes for hikers, cyclists and people who prefer peaceful strolls. Several mountain biking routes (BTT) follow paths through the mountains and surrounding area. The mountain trails around Ojacastro offer opportunities to observe a diverse range of flora and fauna. Route conditions may vary.

The Paseo de Garay is a 16.7-kilometre route with 661 metres of elevation gain and a moderate to high level of difficulty. Another route is the linear trail designated as Stage 1, from Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Ezcaray. It passes the former Ojacastro station and is 13.9 kilometres long. This makes it possible to compare the routes in practical terms: for the Paseo de Garay, you can consider its length, elevation gain and difficulty together; for Stage 1, the two endpoints and the route via the former station provide useful orientation.

Chapels and Architecture

The Ermita de la Ascensión in the settlement of Santasensio dates from the 12th to 13th centuries. It is a late Romanesque chapel transitioning to Gothic style. Its apse is semicircular on the inside and polygonal on the outside; this design is considered unique in Riojan art. An apse is the architectural termination of a church interior—in this case, its shape differs depending on whether it is viewed from inside or outside. Frescoes depict the Last Supper and the Epiphany. Four Benedictine abbots are shown beside the windows.

At the Ermita del Ángel, timber framing and masonry are prominent features of vernacular architecture. It is located approximately half a kilometre from the town centre and near an old ice house. Together, the chapels showcase different architectural details: the Ermita del Ángel is notable for its building materials, while the Ermita de la Ascensión is distinguished by the shape of its apse and its frescoes.

Festivals and Dates

The Feria de ganado y artesanía agroalimentaria, a fair for livestock and artisan food products, has been held since 2003. It takes place on the weekend closest to 12 October. The Fiestas de Gracias fall on the last weekend in August; the local dance group accompanies the religious procession. The annual programme may vary.

The celebration of La Magdalena includes an excursion to Zabárrula on the weekend around 22 July. It is considered an old shepherds’ festival and is accompanied by a shared meal. If you would like to plan your trip around the Feria or the Fiestas de Gracias, check the specific dates for the year you plan to travel.

Regional Dishes

Patatas con chorizo and caparrones are highlighted as typical local dishes. The communal stew for San Antón combines broad beans, onions, homemade chorizo, beans, garlic, spices and ham bones. The recipe and quantities may vary from one edition to another.

Discover more destinations: Lardero, Clavijo, Bergasa, Jalón De Cameros, Torrecilla En Cameros, Treviana, El Cortijo, Panzares

For the regional travel overview: La Rioja.