www.caminosantiago.com   Foz de Lumbier The Foz de Lumbier is a small gorge located in the Navarrese Pyrenees. The defile is cut by the Irati river through the limestone rocks of Sierra Leyre, near the municipality of Lumbier. The surrounding area is covered in a scarlet oak grove, whereas the interior of the gorge is home to an interesting vegetal community, including species of rock, anual and ligneous plants. Access to the interior of the defile is through two tunnels, hollowed out of the rock face. There are two routes available: the shorter one goes from the entrance to the first tunnel to the exit from the second one. It covers an area of approximately 1Km along the old railway. The "soto" of Buicio It is located in upper Rioja. The "soto"of Buicio is a forest situated along the banks of the Ebro river, near Logroño. The area of the reserve belongs to the municipality of Fuenmayor. The "soto" is a fluvial ecosystem. When the waters of the Ebro flow along the fertile plains they undergo a process of constant and progressive mineralization. In upper Rioja the river runs below woods and thickets called "sotos", because they grow on the banks of a river. Sierra of Demanda The Sierra of Demanda is one of the most beautiful wild areas in Burgos. It is located in the Southeast of the province, sorrounded by three mountain masses to the Northwest of the Sistema Ibérico massif: the Sierras of San Millán, Mencilla and Neila. In Sierra Neila there are glacial lagoons bordered by splendid specimens of the "Pinus sylvestrus". The Demanda area is of great geomorphological interest. There are traces of glaciation on its peaks and old mountain masses where can be found Paleozoic, Triassic and Jurassic elements. Las Tuerces Las Tuerces is a natural site of unquestionable beauty located in the Northeast of Palencia, in the Páramos de la Lora, at the junction of the Cordillera Cantábrica range and the sediments of the Duero basin. It covers a total area of 782 ha. Its relief was a result of different processes caused by Karstic phenomena. The whimsical rock formations have been formed over the centuries by erosion. Las Médulas Las Médulas is located in the province of León, on the French Route on its way to Lugo, a short distance from Ponferrada. This picturesque enclave of great beauty is considered as one of the most valuable archaelogical ecosystems in Spain. Situated on the bank of the Sil river, Las Médulas was a gold-mine worked by the Romans. In fact, it was the largest gold-mine of the Roman Empire. El Bierzo Villafranca del Bierzo is one of the most renowned halts along the Santiago Route. It is a pleasant place where you can recover strenght and start a short tour around the Bierzo area. The Bierzo was once an independent province, on account of its isolation. The area sits on a tectonic valley sorrounded by mountains with a height of 2000m in many cases. Most of the population is concentrated in the lowland areas, where most of the agrarian activities are developed. These consist basically of vineyards and fruit and vegetable cultivations of high quality and yield. The highland areas are used for stockbreeding and the cultivation of rye. Sierra Os Ancares The Sierra Os Ancares stretches over the regions of León, Lugo and Asturias. In Lugo it comprises the municipalities of As Nogais, Becerreá, Cervantes, Navia de Suarna and Pedrafita do Cebreiro (on the French Route). Os Ancares is an area of ecological interest. The peaks that border it rise to 2,000 metres, and their singular appearance was caused by glacial phenomena. Sierra O Courel The Sierra O Courel is located in the southeast of the province of Lugo. It comprises the towns of Quiroja, Folgoso do Courel and Piedrafita do Cebreiro (on the French Route to Santiago). It covers a total area of 21,020 ha and is the most complete sierra of Galicia, from the geological point of view. It extends over one of the most important natural sites in the Iberian Peninsula. Deep valleys contrast with peaks over 1,500 m high, drawing a complex fluvial system.