The Way of El Cid in 10 days

10 days · Medieval history · Medium level

Overview

Follow the footsteps of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar from his homeland to the Mediterranean: castles, medieval villages, canyons, wineries and some of the most legendary settings of the Cantar de Mio Cid.

Suggested day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 · Vivar del Cid - Burgos - Covarrubias

Vivar del Cid · Burgos Cathedral · Monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña · Covarrubias

Start where Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar was born. Visit Burgos Cathedral and the Monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña, then end the day strolling through the historic center of Covarrubias, where you'll spend the night.

Day 2 · Covarrubias - Santo Domingo de Silos - Caleruega

Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos · La Yecla gorge · Caleruega

One of the most beautiful days of the trip: the Monastery of Silos, the spectacular La Yecla gorge and the quiet village of Caleruega.

Day 3 · Caleruega - Castillejo de Robledo: the Afrenta de Corpes

Hermitage of la Concepción del Monte · Romanesque church of Castillejo de Robledo

The emotional heart of the route. Tradition places the Afrenta de Corpes near the hermitage of la Concepción del Monte, under a great rock beside a spring: in the Cantar de Mio Cid, the Infantes of Carrión abandon Doña Elvira and Doña Sol, El Cid's daughters, here, believing them dead after brutally beating them. An episode that changes the course of the story, still felt today in this quiet valley of limestone cliffs, holm oaks, junipers and oaks.

Day 4 · Castillejo - El Burgo de Osma - Gormaz - Berlanga de Duero

El Burgo de Osma · Gormaz Castle · Berlanga de Duero

A day full of fortresses: El Burgo de Osma, Gormaz Castle (the largest Caliphate-era fortress in Europe) and the walled town of Berlanga de Duero.

Day 5 · Berlanga de Duero - Atienza - Sigüenza

Atienza · Sigüenza

Entering old frontier lands: Atienza's castle and the beautifully preserved medieval city of Sigüenza take center stage today.

Day 6 · Sigüenza - Molina de Aragón

Molina de Aragón · Alto Tajo

Massive walls and Alto Tajo landscapes in one of Spain's most striking medieval towns.

Day 7 · Molina de Aragón - Albarracín

Albarracín

Probably the prettiest village on the whole route: walls, narrow streets and viewpoints over the Guadalaviar river.

Day 8 · Albarracín - Teruel - Rubielos de Mora

Mudéjar Teruel · Rubielos de Mora

Teruel's Mudéjar architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the charming village of Rubielos de Mora round off the day.

Day 9 · Rubielos de Mora - Montanejos - Segorbe

Montanejos · Segorbe

The mountains start giving way to the Mediterranean, with a dip in the thermal waters of Montanejos and a walk through Segorbe.

Day 10 · Sagunto - Valencia - Alicante

Sagunto Castle · Historic Valencia · Santa Bárbara Castle

A grand finale by the Mediterranean: a stop at Sagunto Castle, a walk through historic Valencia and a climb up to Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante, the perfect ending for this camper route. The Way of El Cid officially continues to Callosa de Segura, but Alicante makes for the perfect finish to a camper trip.