The 3 Most Amazing Peaks around Arlanzon

The Torruco peak is located in the northwestern sector of the Sierra del Mencilla. Its slopes are populated by dense forests that rise from the Palazuelos-Villamiel valley to the south and the deep Matanzas gorge to the north.

Even though this small sacred monument isn't located on the classic route of the Way of St. James through northern Spain, in view of the summit cross standing here, some thoughts by Hape Kerkeling might be helpful as inspiration. The entertainer, who is particularly famous in Germany, walked the Camino Frances in 2001 and kept a diary, which was published under the title "Ich bin dann mal weg" (I'm off then). In it, he describes his personal encounter with God along the way as follows: "Yesterday, something inside me struck a huge gong. And the sound will reverberate. Sooner or later, this path shakes everyone to their very foundations. I know the sound will slowly fade, but if I listen carefully, I'll be able to hear this reverberation for a very long time to come."

The Alto de Gandral (1,044 m) dominates the oak forest between Hontoria de la Cantera and the famous quarries from which the stones for Burgos Cathedral, Burgos Castle and the Visigothic hermitage of Santa Maria de las Viñas were extracted.

Geodetic vertex of Encimero peak (1077 meters) good views of Espinosa de Juarros and its quarry.

Cross located on the rock of Matagrande, at 1082 metres above sea level, right on the Camino de Santiago. During the Christmas season, they put up a nativity scene.

The stones piled up here at the base of the wayside cross are reminiscent of the “CRUZ de FERRO” (iron cross) – very well known among pilgrims – on the MONTE IRAGO on the “Camino Frances” (in Astorga, province of Leon). Many pilgrims who set out on the Way of St. James take a stone with them and place it there (or even here). Such a stone symbolizes the burdens and needs of the pilgrims (or their family members and friends at home), who symbolically cast off their worries at this point with the stone and can thus move on free of them. The CRUZ DE FERRO is available on komoot as a cycling highlight at the following link + https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/716062

It is worth visiting and spending a few minutes looking at the views, on one side the wind turbines and on the other Espinosa de Juarros with its mine.

A simple wooden cross, which is used for prayer and reflection. Stones are placed here, similar to the Cruz de Ferro