Free walking tours in Ocenilla and what to see

Must-sees

Ocenilla is a small village in the municipality of Cidones, about 15 kilometres from Soria on the Burgos road. It lies at the foot of the Sierra de Cabrejas, with Pico Frentes in view, at over a thousand metres. The village is small and quiet, with its church and stone houses.

What has made Ocenilla famous is the black truffle. Around it are plantations of truffle oaks, and a visit lets you see how this fungus is grown and how dogs find it underground. Close by is Calatañazor, a medieval hilltop village, and the Fuentona de Muriel, a crystal-clear spring among juniper trees. The city of Soria, with its Romanesque churches and the Duero, is a quarter of an hour away.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Ocenilla. The activity on offer is a truffle tour: a guided visit to a truffle plantation where they explain how the trees are tended and how the dogs work, and you join the hunt. It usually includes the option of a tasting with freshly gathered truffle. For the rest of the area, people usually get around on their own or join tours in the city of Soria.

How long to spend

The plantation visit takes about two or three hours, and the village can be seen in a short while. Ideally, combine it in a day with Calatañazor and the Fuentona, or with an afternoon in Soria. With two days you can add walks in the Sierra de Cabrejas or visit the Laguna Negra. Winter is black truffle season, so it's a good time to come.

Where to stay

Ocenilla has a rural house or two, perfect for a quiet break with a fireplace and walks in the hills. Nearby villages such as Cidones also have rural houses. If you want more atmosphere and restaurants serving truffle, Soria is a quarter of an hour away and has hotels of every kind.