Free walking tours in Muriel de la Fuente and what to see

Must-sees

Muriel de la Fuente is a small village in Soria province, about thirty kilometres from the city, in an area of limestone uplands and juniper forests. Its big draw is La Fuentona, a natural monument where the river Abión rises. The water wells up from a deep, crystal-clear pool, known as the Ojo de Mar, at the foot of a limestone canyon where vultures and falcons nest. The spot features in Bécquer's legend «The Green Eyes».

In the village, a tower of the old Santa Coloma palace houses the El Sabinar park centre, the visitor centre where you can get information on routes. Very close is the Sabinar de Calatañazor, a forest of large Spanish junipers, and the medieval village of Calatañazor, with cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and the remains of its castle on a hill.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Muriel de la Fuente, as it is a very small village. The activity on offer is a balloon flight over the Sabinar de Calatañazor, which lets you see the juniper forest and the surrounding uplands from the air. Otherwise, most people go on their own: the park centre advises on the waymarked trails, and the La Fuentona circular route is short and easy.

How long to spend

The La Fuentona circular route takes about two hours on foot, and with the park centre it fills a morning. If you give it a full day, in the afternoon you can explore Calatañazor and its juniper forest. Balloon flights usually take off early in the morning, so it is best to sleep nearby the night before.

Where to stay

Muriel de la Fuente and neighbouring villages such as Calatañazor have a few rural houses, the best option for enjoying the silence and clear skies of the area. Choice is small, so book ahead in summer and on long weekends. If you cannot find a room, Soria city has more accommodation and is less than half an hour away, and El Burgo de Osma is another convenient base.