Free walking tours in Campillo de Ranas and what to see

Must-sees

Campillo de Ranas is one of the black-architecture villages of the Sierra Norte of Guadalajara, at the foot of the Ocejón peak. Its houses of dark slate, with stone-slab roofs, form a very harmonious ensemble. In the centre is the church of Santa María Magdalena, also of slate, and beside it the old priest's house with its sundial tower, one of the village's symbols.

The municipality includes several hamlets worth a stroll, such as Campillejo, El Espinar, Roblelacasa and Robleluengo, all built in the same style. Next to the village you can climb to the Fuente de las Ranas viewpoint, with views of the Ocejón, and see the Roble Hueco, the area's best-known tree. For mountain lovers, the climb up the Ocejón is the big route in the area.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours or regular guided visits in Campillo de Ranas. The usual way is to explore on your own, as the village and its hamlets are small and easy to understand on foot. If you'd like company, there are guided hikes in the Sierra Norte, and some excursions from Madrid or Guadalajara visit several black villages in a day, combining Campillo with Majaelrayo or Valverde de los Arroyos.

How long to spend

The village takes an hour or two, but it's worth spending a full day to add the hamlets and a walk in the surroundings. With a weekend you can climb the Ocejón and visit other nearby black villages such as Majaelrayo and Valverde de los Arroyos. Bear in mind that the mountain roads are narrow and winding.

Where to stay

The best option is a rural house in Campillo itself or one of its hamlets, where most visitors to the area stay. They're usually restored slate houses, ideal for switching off. Accommodation is limited, so book ahead for long weekends and summer. If you can't find a room, Majaelrayo or Tamajón are close and have more places to stay.