Las Médulas Natural Monument
Las Médulas Natural Monument
Las Médulas Natural Monument
4.5
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Th_Richmond
Savannah, GA39 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
Wow what a beautiful area and interesting at the same time. Going early is wonderful because you get to enjoy the peace and quiet.
The walk in the cave was cool. They provide a helmet with hair protection hairnets and the visit is yours to enjoy. A real walk back in history and so breathtaking at the same time.
The walk in the cave was cool. They provide a helmet with hair protection hairnets and the visit is yours to enjoy. A real walk back in history and so breathtaking at the same time.
Written 6 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marta G
Province of Pontevedra, Spain65 contributions
Jul 2023
A unique and spectacular place to enjoy routes between impressive oaks and chestnut trees until you reach the different places to observe the characteristic reddish peaks. The town offers what is necessary to eat afterwards
to enjoy a beautiful experience. Very cool
to enjoy a beautiful experience. Very cool
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
calse98
Las Vegas, NV34 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Las Medulas (I think this can be roughy translated as "the ridges") is unique even for this unique country of Spain.
It is a place of almost unearthly natural beauty (lush greenery and bright orange rocks), but also a place of great significance from both historic and environmental standpoints. It is an impressive (may be, the most impressive) monument to the Ancient Rome - to all its grandeur, ingenuity, persistence, dedication, expansionism, and brutality.
The road to Las Medulas is not easy or well furnished with signs, but the GPS navigator can manage.
When the weather is hot, it is better to go in the early morning. Wear walking shoes, have sunglasses and water, and grab some tree branches to fend off flies which are somehow many.
The TI at Las Medulas opens at 10, parking is free. There is a museum with some videos - which we did not attend. They give you a Xerox copy of the surroundings with marked trails (attached, so you can start your trek before 10). There are several walking routes, we took the easiest one (about 1.5 miles). It was not difficult indeed, with placards in English explaining how the Romans did mining here.
After seeing some rocks, caves, and valleys relatively up close, go back to the parking lot. On your way, stop at another TI that has a little museum, including a small "before and after" 3D map of the mining area. Along with the placards I mentioned before, it helps to appreciate what humans can do to the environment even without heavy machinery and explosives. Then, you may want to drive couple more miles to Mirador (lookout) de Orellan to look at the big picture.
At the very end of the paved road, on the top of the hill, passed the village of Orellan, there is a parking lot. Park the car and walk up about 700 yards to Mirador de Orellan. Enjoy the view, think about the 20,000 Roman pounds (more than 6 tons) of gold mined, and shipped from, here, as well as about those numerous slaves that died horrible deaths in the tunnels. Note the opening of the tunnel to your right.
Then turn around, find the sign to the galleries of Orellan across the path, pay 3 euros, get a hard hat (you will need it), and dive into the tunnel to ultimately reach the opening you saw from the lookout point.
I know that we saw did not even scratch the surface, but even that was more than enough to appreciate the significance of the place. One can definitely send a whole day or longer here, discovering more and more.
Over the course of several years, we traveled by car about 12,000 km all over Spain, and find Las Medulas one of this country's most impressive natural/historic monuments. For those who love ancient history this visit is simply a must.
It is a place of almost unearthly natural beauty (lush greenery and bright orange rocks), but also a place of great significance from both historic and environmental standpoints. It is an impressive (may be, the most impressive) monument to the Ancient Rome - to all its grandeur, ingenuity, persistence, dedication, expansionism, and brutality.
The road to Las Medulas is not easy or well furnished with signs, but the GPS navigator can manage.
When the weather is hot, it is better to go in the early morning. Wear walking shoes, have sunglasses and water, and grab some tree branches to fend off flies which are somehow many.
The TI at Las Medulas opens at 10, parking is free. There is a museum with some videos - which we did not attend. They give you a Xerox copy of the surroundings with marked trails (attached, so you can start your trek before 10). There are several walking routes, we took the easiest one (about 1.5 miles). It was not difficult indeed, with placards in English explaining how the Romans did mining here.
After seeing some rocks, caves, and valleys relatively up close, go back to the parking lot. On your way, stop at another TI that has a little museum, including a small "before and after" 3D map of the mining area. Along with the placards I mentioned before, it helps to appreciate what humans can do to the environment even without heavy machinery and explosives. Then, you may want to drive couple more miles to Mirador (lookout) de Orellan to look at the big picture.
At the very end of the paved road, on the top of the hill, passed the village of Orellan, there is a parking lot. Park the car and walk up about 700 yards to Mirador de Orellan. Enjoy the view, think about the 20,000 Roman pounds (more than 6 tons) of gold mined, and shipped from, here, as well as about those numerous slaves that died horrible deaths in the tunnels. Note the opening of the tunnel to your right.
Then turn around, find the sign to the galleries of Orellan across the path, pay 3 euros, get a hard hat (you will need it), and dive into the tunnel to ultimately reach the opening you saw from the lookout point.
I know that we saw did not even scratch the surface, but even that was more than enough to appreciate the significance of the place. One can definitely send a whole day or longer here, discovering more and more.
Over the course of several years, we traveled by car about 12,000 km all over Spain, and find Las Medulas one of this country's most impressive natural/historic monuments. For those who love ancient history this visit is simply a must.
Written 11 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
El Barco de Avila, Spain701 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
We went to Las Medulas without a clear idea of what we would find or what we could do there. We knew that this was the site of Roman gold mining activities and had seen the photos - but found the official web sites quite unhelpful.
The site is about half an hours drive to the south east of Villafranca and is well signposted from the A6 and the N6. When you arrive at the village of Las Medulas there is a car park and an "Aula Arqueologica" and it is a good idea to stop there for information. The attendant was helpful and informative and for 2 euros you can see exhibits and videos that explain what you are going to see. As information is limited on site it is probably a good idea to see the exhibit.
You then walk about 500 metres along the main street and eventually you come to a fork in the road directing you to one of two walks and the Interpretation centre. Here you can take a guided tour - or set out by yourself having picked up a map. The tours run if there are 6 people prepared to pay for the tour. We intended to take the tour due to start at 11.30 a.m. but were told it would depart once a tourist bus had set off on the tour - and as this group were still queuing to use the toilet at 11.30 we decided to save the cost of the tour and set out by ourselves. The route is clearly signposted and we took the Senda de las Valinas - a round trip of two hours - or one if you take the short cut (also signposted) which is not paved and contains one steep climb. This takes you to two "caves", La Cuevona and La Encantada which shows the results of the Roman mining operations. They used a technique called "Ruina Montium" which involved bringing water via channels carved in the surrounding hills and allowing it to soak into galleries carved out of rock to weaken the soft rock before allowing the galleries to flood thus bringing the mountainside tumbling down. The results of this destruction of the environment are spectacular with pinnacles of red rock standing out amongst the vegetation and the against the sky. Absolutely spectacular.
There are a number of other longer walks plus you can drive to the Orellana overview which gives you the image of the whole site. The "Mirador" is well signposted but involves a steep 800 metre climb after the car park to the viewing platform. On the way you can also visit the site of the houses of the metal workers who made the tools for the miners which is on the road to Borrenes just after the junction with the road to Orellana (another steep climb of 200 metres once you leave the car.
The site is about half an hours drive to the south east of Villafranca and is well signposted from the A6 and the N6. When you arrive at the village of Las Medulas there is a car park and an "Aula Arqueologica" and it is a good idea to stop there for information. The attendant was helpful and informative and for 2 euros you can see exhibits and videos that explain what you are going to see. As information is limited on site it is probably a good idea to see the exhibit.
You then walk about 500 metres along the main street and eventually you come to a fork in the road directing you to one of two walks and the Interpretation centre. Here you can take a guided tour - or set out by yourself having picked up a map. The tours run if there are 6 people prepared to pay for the tour. We intended to take the tour due to start at 11.30 a.m. but were told it would depart once a tourist bus had set off on the tour - and as this group were still queuing to use the toilet at 11.30 we decided to save the cost of the tour and set out by ourselves. The route is clearly signposted and we took the Senda de las Valinas - a round trip of two hours - or one if you take the short cut (also signposted) which is not paved and contains one steep climb. This takes you to two "caves", La Cuevona and La Encantada which shows the results of the Roman mining operations. They used a technique called "Ruina Montium" which involved bringing water via channels carved in the surrounding hills and allowing it to soak into galleries carved out of rock to weaken the soft rock before allowing the galleries to flood thus bringing the mountainside tumbling down. The results of this destruction of the environment are spectacular with pinnacles of red rock standing out amongst the vegetation and the against the sky. Absolutely spectacular.
There are a number of other longer walks plus you can drive to the Orellana overview which gives you the image of the whole site. The "Mirador" is well signposted but involves a steep 800 metre climb after the car park to the viewing platform. On the way you can also visit the site of the houses of the metal workers who made the tools for the miners which is on the road to Borrenes just after the junction with the road to Orellana (another steep climb of 200 metres once you leave the car.
Written 16 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rocket_man_in_ESA
Madrid300 contributions
May 2013 • Family
This place is pretty much out of the way (the nearest large town is Ponferrada), but it is certainly worth going to see. It is the most remarkable testimony to the effects of the Roman occupation of Spain. An entire mountain was blown apart over two and a half centuries to extract the tiny amount of gold in the rock (about 6 grammes per tonne of rock): it is an extraordinary story
Plan to spend several hours at least there to make it worth the trip and enjoy the area and the countryside.
There are morning and afternoon guided tours (1200 and 1630 the Friday that we visited) that cost a ridiculously cheap 3€ for a two hour amble around the site.
A typical itinerary might be to arrive at midday and take in one of the walks (the Visitors' Centre will suggest suitable itineraries): down to the lake, up to the viewing point where you get an amazing view from the mountains in the north around the whole mining area. The walk up to the "mirador" (viewing area) is a four and a half kilometre round trip on wide, easy paths, with one steeper section that will leave the less fit out of breath, but can be handled easily by anyone in reasonable shape. Take photos at the top and enjoy the magnificent view before walking back down.
Almost every other house in the small village around the mine seems to be a restaurant or a gift shop (WATCH OUT! Internet access in the village is sporadic at best, so shops and restaurants do not accept credit cards) so then sit down and enjoy a relaxed meal and a look around the gift shops before going to the Visitors' Centre for the 1630 tour.
The tour takes you on a loop through the milllenary chestnut trees and the mined area, taking in couple of caves and galleries. However, although the public are allowed to enter the cave and the tunnels, it is very much at their own risk. The cave is not deep, but is an obligatory stop for a photo. The galleries are a later stop and require some gentle climbing that requires care and sensible shoes. Go up and you will find two short tunnels cut into one of the few remaining sections of mountain that come out above where the group is waiting below: children especially will love this.
The final section of the walk, which is around 3km with plenty of stops, is a short, steeper downhill section over a much rougher path: one family had a pushchair with them and struggled a bit on this segment, although it is doable with a bit of effort.
Plan to spend several hours at least there to make it worth the trip and enjoy the area and the countryside.
There are morning and afternoon guided tours (1200 and 1630 the Friday that we visited) that cost a ridiculously cheap 3€ for a two hour amble around the site.
A typical itinerary might be to arrive at midday and take in one of the walks (the Visitors' Centre will suggest suitable itineraries): down to the lake, up to the viewing point where you get an amazing view from the mountains in the north around the whole mining area. The walk up to the "mirador" (viewing area) is a four and a half kilometre round trip on wide, easy paths, with one steeper section that will leave the less fit out of breath, but can be handled easily by anyone in reasonable shape. Take photos at the top and enjoy the magnificent view before walking back down.
Almost every other house in the small village around the mine seems to be a restaurant or a gift shop (WATCH OUT! Internet access in the village is sporadic at best, so shops and restaurants do not accept credit cards) so then sit down and enjoy a relaxed meal and a look around the gift shops before going to the Visitors' Centre for the 1630 tour.
The tour takes you on a loop through the milllenary chestnut trees and the mined area, taking in couple of caves and galleries. However, although the public are allowed to enter the cave and the tunnels, it is very much at their own risk. The cave is not deep, but is an obligatory stop for a photo. The galleries are a later stop and require some gentle climbing that requires care and sensible shoes. Go up and you will find two short tunnels cut into one of the few remaining sections of mountain that come out above where the group is waiting below: children especially will love this.
The final section of the walk, which is around 3km with plenty of stops, is a short, steeper downhill section over a much rougher path: one family had a pushchair with them and struggled a bit on this segment, although it is doable with a bit of effort.
Written 5 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeimenBurum
Rotterdam, The Netherlands2,753 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
This site was long on my bucket list to visit. The remains of this Roman gold mining area is spectacular. When you get to the area you should first go to Orellán which is close to Carucedo. From Orellán it is about 2km on a steep road up to a fantastic look out platform from where you have a spectacular overview of the area.
After that I would advise to go to the small museum a short distance from the village of Las Medulas. They have some nice displays with background information. From there you can walk to the site to have a close up look of the gigantic caves where the water used to flow.
After that I would advise to go to the small museum a short distance from the village of Las Medulas. They have some nice displays with background information. From there you can walk to the site to have a close up look of the gigantic caves where the water used to flow.
Written 27 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SunChaser_123654
Vancouver, Canada299 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Our detour to Las Medulas was a highlight of our recent trip to Spain. It was so picteresque and full of nature and history. We spent half of a day strolling around, taking pictures and enjoying a lunch in Las Medulas village on our way to the car park. I would also highly recommend visiting Orellan mirador (view point) and galeria (old mine tunnel turned into a museum, entrance fee EUR2) on your way back to the main road. Facinating and totally worth it!
Written 21 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Usuario7713
Navalcarnero, Spain112 contributions
The stop is a must if you are visiting the area. Getting there is a little painfull and the road is everything but straight.
Both the views in the outside and the tunnels are just incredible.
Still shocked from what I saw!!
Both the views in the outside and the tunnels are just incredible.
Still shocked from what I saw!!
Written 6 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary S
Okehampton, UK155 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
A wonderful place to visit, right on the edge of the Montanes de Leon, not far from Ponferrada. The site was recommended by a Portuguese colleague, as worth driving some miles for, and we agree with his assessment.
Go to the village of Las Medulas first, go to the museum, where they explain how the mining of the entire mountain worked using just the pressure of water. The remains of the mining landscape covers a large area with many walking trails though some great terrain with weird ridges of remaining orange snadstones. We took a walk up to the Caves and then headed back to the village which was a nice 1-2 hour walk around the site. The village has many different small cafes and eating places (except on a Fete day!). Try the local honey, with it's rich taste of the Chestnut flowers. Sample some of the locally produced jams including Quince Marmalade. The local ladies will explain how they take the bee products and use them.
In the heat of the summer, an afternoon visit will be challenging due to the heat, but in September it was fine. We finished off with a great meal sampling some of the local dishes in the Hotel at Las Medulas, with a terrace overlooking the lake.
Then at the end it's well worth driving up to the view point and looking down on the remnants of the mined mountain, with fabulous Chestnut woods, when you can see the scale of the Roman mining efforts. It's a worthy World Heritage site!
Probably best done on a good day, as you need good visibility to appreciate the scale of the mining.
Go to the village of Las Medulas first, go to the museum, where they explain how the mining of the entire mountain worked using just the pressure of water. The remains of the mining landscape covers a large area with many walking trails though some great terrain with weird ridges of remaining orange snadstones. We took a walk up to the Caves and then headed back to the village which was a nice 1-2 hour walk around the site. The village has many different small cafes and eating places (except on a Fete day!). Try the local honey, with it's rich taste of the Chestnut flowers. Sample some of the locally produced jams including Quince Marmalade. The local ladies will explain how they take the bee products and use them.
In the heat of the summer, an afternoon visit will be challenging due to the heat, but in September it was fine. We finished off with a great meal sampling some of the local dishes in the Hotel at Las Medulas, with a terrace overlooking the lake.
Then at the end it's well worth driving up to the view point and looking down on the remnants of the mined mountain, with fabulous Chestnut woods, when you can see the scale of the Roman mining efforts. It's a worthy World Heritage site!
Probably best done on a good day, as you need good visibility to appreciate the scale of the mining.
Written 5 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Typerx
Orzinuovi, Italy15 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
One of the best landscapes in the word in my opinion, for sure one of the best I've ever seen. A perfect mix of history and nature, just walk down there on those beautiful red hills.
Written 4 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buenos días, me gustaría saber si me podrías pasar algún contacto de la empresa con la que hicisteis el recorrido en 4x4 porque no encuentro información en la red. Muchas gracias.
Written 4 February 2020
No te líes mas de la cuenta, se hace andando y es gratis, no se te olvide antes pasar por el mirado que esta en la parte alta. Y esta lleno de restaurantes con menús a buen precio.
Written 5 February 2020
Hi,
Can you please advise what is th best strategy to visit Las Medulas? Is it better to come to Centro Infomation and then reach Mirador de Orellan and Galerias de Orelan on foot? Or it makes more sense to reach Mirador/Galerias de Orellan by car instead?
Is it possible to walk between Mirador and Galeria de Orellan? On google maps it seems to be quite tricky.
Many thanks for your help!
Written 6 January 2020
¿Con qué empresa hiciste la visita guiada? ¿era a pie o en 4x4?. Gracias
Written 13 May 2019
A pie, las visitas salen desde el mismo centro de interpretación. En temporada alta mejor reservar con antelación porque a veces llegas y el grupo está lleno.
Written 7 February 2020
monica a
Harlow, United Kingdom
Where is the nearest airport from UK to Las Medulas edulas?
Written 28 October 2018
O percurso é muito longo?
Está bem sinalizado? Dá para crianças fazerem também? Obrigada
Written 14 October 2018
Bonjour !! Quelqu'un pourrait-il me dire si il est possible de visiter le site au mois de janvier? Merci !
Written 4 December 2016
Oui, mais assurez vous que les conditions météo soient favorables (absence de neige, pluie ou brouillard) car le site est très escarpé. La «Aula arquelógica» (musée) est fermée en semaine, jusqu'au mois d'avril. Par contre, je ne sais pas ce qu'il en est des possibilités de visite de la galerie en janvier, mais il y fait bien frais en été !
Written 5 December 2016
Hi! Can someone kindly advice on how to get to Las Medulas via public transport from Ponferrada? Thanks!
Written 10 October 2016
Not sure you can - why not contact the tourist board in ponferrada and see if they can help?
Written 10 October 2016
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