Las Médulas
Located in the province of León, in northern Spain, Las Médulas is a UNESCO World
Heritage site. The Romans struck gold here—about 800 tonnes of it, no less. A
complicated system of channels was used to take advantage of the force of running
water through galleries, lakes and tunnels to demolish these clayey mountains and
create this unique landscape.
The route can be explored on foot, by bicycle, or even on horseback. The trails are well
signed and fairly flat. Places you can discover include the caves and grottos where
gold was extracted, and other places such as Carucedo lake. You will also find old
metallurgical villages such as Orellán, and even Asturian iron age settlements such as
Castrelín de San Juan de Paluezas and Borrenes.
Any time of year is ideal to discover Las Médulas, although it is in spring when the
contrast of colour and light is at its most spectacular. A good way to start exploring
these hills, covered in chestnut tr