Munilla: Dinosaur Tracks, Trails and Cultural Heritage

Munilla combines nature-focused attractions, such as dinosaur tracks and trails, with evidence of its industrial and architectural history. When planning your stay and looking for hotels in Munilla, these different highlights can be helpful: destinations range from a short walk to a 20 km section of the GR 93 long-distance trail.

Dinosaur Tracks and Trails Around Munilla

You can reach the Barranco de la Canal dinosaur track site from the entrance to the town, heading towards San Vicente along a 2.5 km drivable track. At Peña Portillo, a structure protects one of the most interesting and best-preserved collections of dinosaur tracks in La Rioja. Both destinations offer a direct connection to Munilla’s dinosaur tracks, but differ in their location and description.

There are also various ways to enjoy outdoor activities. In the Hayedo de Santiago, you can go on bike rides along the trails. One of the possible walks from Munilla is a route to the Nevero. The 20 km GR-93 stage runs between Munilla and San Román.

Munilla is also part of a biosphere reserve. Together with the dinosaur tracks and the trails mentioned, this designation adds to the town’s natural appeal. When planning, it makes sense to focus on the specific activity: bike rides are described for the Hayedo de Santiago, while the walks mentioned are the route to the Nevero and the GR-93 stage.

Water, Industry and Local History

A public washhouse stands on Calle San Miguel, next to the Río Manzanares. The Nevera is a medieval stone ice house near the built-up area. Its restored access is a short walk offering views of Munilla. These are two different ways to explore the town’s connections with water and local history: the washhouse by the river and the historic ice house with its described access route.

Munilla’s water-related industrial history includes mills, fulling mills and factories. In the 18th and 19th centuries, there were important cloth workshops, which arose in connection with La Mesta and transhumance. In the Las Vargas area, some buildings from former chocolate factories have also been preserved. Together, these examples show different aspects of the local economic and industrial history, from cloth workshops to former factory buildings.

The Museo del Cántaro is located in the lower rooms of the Casino de Munilla. The town’s religious heritage also includes a variety of architectural and artistic features: a single-nave Baroque chapel from the late 17th century houses an image of the Virgen de la Soledad, the patron saint of Munilla. One church contains a Hispano-Flemish image of the Virgen de Belén and a balcony gallery known as the Conjutorio.

A church in Munilla was built in the early 16th century in the style of the Catholic Monarchs. Some of its walls and a Gothic-style portal dating from 1400 to 1450 have been preserved. A two-arch bridge made of ashlar stone crosses the Río Manzanares. Its construction is dated to the end of the 15th century or the middle of the 16th century. These architectural details offer another way to explore the town’s history, alongside its industrial heritage and museum.

Getting There and Summer Events

Munilla is accessible by car via the LR-115, from which the regional road LR-484 branches off. Autobuses Jiménez S.L. operates a bus service between Munilla and Arnedo, Calahorra, Logroño and Soria. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before your journey.

The Festival de Jazz de Munilla is a regular summer event in the municipality. It takes place around 15 August outdoors in Plaza de San Miguel. Check the dates for the current edition before your trip if you would like to include the festival in your plans. This gives you a choice of nature and history attractions, as well as practical information for getting to Munilla.

Discover more destinations: El Rasillo de Cameros, Los Molinos de Ocón, Igea, Azarrulla, El Horcajo, Lumbreras, Castañares De Rioja, Abalos.

For the broader travel overview: La Rioja.