San Martín de la Tercia: Church, River Landscape and Hiking Trails

San Martín de la Tercia lies in the valley of the Río Rodiezmo. The town can be explored through different themes: the river landscape where it meets the Arroyo Lamoso, the church dating from 1832, and hiking trails with specific waypoints.

River Landscape and Local Setting

At San Martín de la Tercia, the Río Rodiezmo joins the Arroyo Lamoso. Together with its location in the valley, this confluence provides a specific point of reference for the town’s landscape. Its inclusion in the Alto Bernesga Biosphere Reserve also extends beyond the town itself: San Martín de la Tercia is one of the 19 villages in the municipality of Villamanín included in the reserve. This places the local connection to the two waterways alongside its inclusion through the municipality.

Church and Architectural Details

The church of San Martín de la Tercia dates to 1832. Its pointed bell gable has up to twenty stone steps. The church also features a nave with a round arch, an octagonal vault, and two chapels with several neoclassical carvings. These forms offer several architectural points of interest: the stepped bell gable, the round arch in the nave, and the octagonal design of the vault.

Opposite the church is a coat of arms associated with the surname “Castañón.” This detail adds a feature in the church’s immediate surroundings to the description of the building. Those interested in architecture can take note both of the building’s forms and of the coat of arms, without treating them as the same feature.

Hiking Trails and Their Waypoints

The San Martín–Peña Laza–Peña Calva route begins at the church. It follows the Arroyo Balagares for about two kilometers and then crosses open country along livestock tracks to the summit of Peña Laza. The description highlights a change in the route: first, the stream is the point of reference; after that, livestock tracks cross open country to the summit. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out.

Another trail connection is described by the “Mirador de la Tercia y Arbas” route: at the Hoz del Arroyo Lamoso, it meets the path coming from San Martín de la Tercia. The route details can therefore be distinguished by their different points of reference. For the San Martín–Peña Laza–Peña Calva route, the starting point at the church and the stretch along the Arroyo Balagares to Peña Laza are specified; for the “Mirador de la Tercia y Arbas” route, the Hoz del Arroyo Lamoso is where it meets the path from San Martín.

Traditions and Former Schools

A communal mill on the Río Rodiezmo has been preserved in San Martín de la Tercia, though it no longer grinds grain. If you plan to visit, check its condition locally. The town’s traditions also include the legend “La fuente de las brujas” (“The Witches’ Spring”): some place it in Poladura, while it is also associated with San Martín de la Tercia. The spring in San Martín is identified as “Fuente Ana María.”

The former schools are also among the town’s cultural points of interest. The Junta Vecinal had them renovated; a cultural association founded in 2023 took over management of the teleclub there. Together with the church and local traditions, these details reveal other aspects of the town that may be of interest when planning a trip, alongside the river landscape and hiking trails.

If you are looking for a hotel, it helps to decide in advance what you want to focus on during your trip: the route descriptions offer specific points of reference for hiking, while the church, coat of arms, and spring relate to architectural and traditional themes. This lets you connect your search for accommodation with the question of which aspects of San Martín de la Tercia you are most interested in during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Balboa, Santa Eulalia De Cabrera, Valderas, Cármenes, Villablino, Villanueva del Condado, Odollo, León.

Go to the main travel overview: León.