La Losa between shepherds’ paths and Romanesque heritage

La Losa’s history is reflected in its buildings, shepherds’ paths and landscape on the Segovian slope of the Sierra de Guadarrama. The historic Casa de esquileo wool-shearing house was founded in 1515 by the Marqués de Santiago. In 1752, 24,000 sheep were sheared there. The two dates highlight different aspects of the building: its founding and the scale of a single shearing more than two centuries later. The house thus illustrates a specific aspect of local shepherding and economic history.

Building history and village life

The Ermita de San Pedro is an example of rural Segovian Romanesque architecture; construction began in the mid-13th century. Today, the secularized hermitage is used as a barn; during the village festivals in September, it is associated with the pilgrimage. The Iglesia de San Juan Evangelista offers a different architectural emphasis: its features include a Renaissance altarpiece, a Calvary and a ribbed vault with tiercerons. The comparison highlights two different aspects: the hermitage’s Romanesque classification and construction date, and the church’s artistic and vault forms.

Crafts and traditions also have their own points of connection. Numerous willows grow in the Plaza de los Huertos and are used for traditional crafts. La Losa’s patron saint festivals are celebrated in honor of the Virgen de Cepones and San Roque.

Walking routes on different scales

The Ruta de La Losa a Ortigosa Del Monte offers two route options: the longer is 6 km, while the shorter is 4 km and easier. The trail is rated as easy and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. Holm oaks and ash trees grow along the route, and there is also a birdwatching hide. The route length provides a concrete planning reference, while the vegetation and hide add to the trail’s connection with nature.

The Senda de los Pastores is on a different scale. Its total length is 154.90 km; La Losa is one of the places along its route. The route follows the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental, a path historically used by transhumant shepherds. Compared with the Ruta and its options, the Senda describes a much longer trail. At the same time, it connects the theme of shepherds’ paths with a specific historical reference. The wool-shearing house and the Cañada thus show different aspects of shepherding culture: sheep shearing and the routes used by transhumant shepherds.

Landscape and viewpoints

La Losa lies at the foot of the Segovian slope of the Sierra de Guadarrama; from there, you can see the Mujer Muerta. The natural area includes Cerro de la Revilla, as well as the hills of Ceporrillos and Riofrío. Las Peñotas are distinctive granite formations in the village center. Two viewpoints near La Losa offer views of the Palacio de Riofrío, while the area is surrounded by the Madrones and Matavacas streams. The view of the Mujer Muerta and the views of the Palacio de Riofrío offer two different destinations to look toward.

Discover more destinations: Navafría, Saldaña de Ayllón, Fresno De Cantespino, Fuenterrebollo, Castroserracín, Cozuelos de Fuentidueña, Roda de Eresma, Otero De Herreros

For the wider travel overview: Segovia.