Free walking tours in Yela and what to see

Must-sees

Yela is a small hamlet of Brihuega, in the Alcarria of Guadalajara, with very few residents for much of the year. Its main monument is the parish church, which presides over the village by the square. Around the village are several chapels and stone fountains, and the setting is a typical Alcarria landscape of high plains, scrub-covered slopes and valleys with water.

The most interesting sights are nearby. In the Tajuña valley, close to Yela, lies the protected area of the Quejigares de Barriopedro y Brihuega, a Natura 2000 site with Portuguese oak woods on the shady slopes, holm oaks, springs with moss-covered tufa and a riverbank of ash and poplar. A few kilometres away, Brihuega offers its Peña Bermeja castle, the walls, the Royal Cloth Factory and the Arab caves. In summer the lavender fields of the area fill with visitors.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free tours in Yela. The activity you can book is a guided hike through the Quejigares de Barriopedro y Brihuega, starting from the church square and exploring the valley landscape for about four hours. To see the local heritage, the usual plan is to head to Brihuega, whose tourist office has information on visits to the caves, the Royal Factory and the castle.

How long to spend

Yela takes an hour to see. With the hike, allow half a day, and add a visit to Brihuega for a full day. With a weekend you can walk in the Tajuña valley one day and spend the other on Brihuega and other Alcarria villages. Autumn is a good time for the hike, with the oaks changing colour.

Where to stay

There is hardly any accommodation in Yela, so the practical choice is to stay in Brihuega, a few minutes' drive away. There you will find hotels, rural houses and apartments in the historic centre or by the walls, and you can explore the town on foot. In lavender season, book well ahead. If you cannot find a room, Guadalajara city has more choice and is under an hour away.