Pinedo: Discover Caves and History

Rocky Landscape and Caves

Pinedo may appeal to travelers choosing a destination for its distinctive cultural heritage: the village is home to the church and necropolis of San Juan, while the Peña de Santiago rock and cave complex can be reached via a turnoff just before Pinedo. Access is via earthen steps and a path along a rock face. The impression of the place is shaped not only by the caves themselves, but also by the approach through the rocky landscape.

At Peña Santiago, a two-level cave was created around the 6th or 7th century in a limestone overhang at an elevation of 660 m. Its construction connects the cave with the surrounding rock: it was created on two levels in a rock overhang. Its history of use also shapes the site. The caves of Pinedo were used as hermitages until the beginning of the 19th century. For those interested in the history of religious retreats, this offers a distinct perspective on the village’s history, alongside the archaeological context of the cave at Peña Santiago.

The church and necropolis of San Juan add another named place with historical significance. Together with the caves, they offer a cultural perspective on Pinedo that encompasses both rock architecture and religious history. The two sites can be considered separately: the caves are connected to the rocky landscape and a long history of use, while San Juan is a distinct landmark in the village.

Hiking Routes and Different Highlights

The Route of the Hermitage Caves of Valdegovía passes through Pinedo and follows the GR 1 – Sendero Histórico. Over several hikes, it leads to the cave sites of San Martín de Valparaíso, Corro, Pinedo, and Tobillas. Pinedo is therefore part of a route that includes caves in several locations. If caves are your main interest, this route lets you place the village’s history within a wider itinerary without treating its individual stops as the same.

Another option is the route from Pinedo to Corro, which also follows the historic GR 1 hiking trail. It descends to the Arroyo de Pinedo near the road to Basabe and runs between fields and the Canalejas slope. It also passes beneath a rock face through a mixed forest of Portuguese oaks, holm oaks, and holly. Here, specific landscape features meet the historic trail: the stream, fields, slope, rock face, and forest give the route its own character.

The circular route from Pinedo to the Santiago Caves and Alto del Rodil starts in the village center. After 300 m on the access road, a sign at a junction points the way to the Santiago Caves. A route description published on April 14, 2023, identifies these landmarks at the start of the circular route. Before setting out, check both trail conditions and signage, as either may change.

The routes can be distinguished by their respective highlights: the Route of the Hermitage Caves links cave sites in several locations, the route to Corro passes through the landscapes described above, and the circular route is described by its start in the village center and its signposted turnoff. This can help you choose based on whether you are most interested in caves and history or in the landscape along the trail.

Discover more destinations: Vitoria-Gasteiz, Murga, Bernedo, Abornikano, Artziniega, Viñaspre, Aprikano, Laserna.

For the regional travel overview: Alava.