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Discover
Places to see

Spain

Castile and León

León

Bierzo

Carucedo

Las Médulas Roman Gold Mines

Discover
Places to see

Spain

Castile and León

León

Bierzo

Carucedo

Las Médulas Roman Gold Mines

Las Médulas Roman Gold Mines

Recommended by 28 hikers out of 29

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    Location: Carucedo, Bierzo, León, Castile and León, Spain

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    Best Hikes to Las Médulas Roman Gold Mines

    4.9

    (21)

    144

    hikers

    1. Reirigo Cave – Orellán Galleries loop from Carucedo

    14.4km

    04:19

    410m

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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    Intermediate

    4.6

    (14)

    104

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    2. Las Médulas – Orellán Galleries loop from Carucedo

    9.31km

    02:49

    280m

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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    Intermediate

    10

    hikers

    3. Orellán Galleries – Reirigo Cave loop from Carucedo

    17.0km

    05:26

    620m

    Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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    Tips

    December 23, 2022

    It was the most important gold mine, as well as the largest open pit gold mine in the entire Roman Empire.

    Translated by Google •

      September 10, 2022

      The area of the medulla (former Roman gold mine) offers the opportunity to enjoy a large number of routes and a landscape that will remain etched in the retina. Comfortable shoes, water and snack is advisable.

      Translated by Google •

        July 28, 2024

        The extraordinary landscape is a result of the ruina montium, a Roman mining technique. Pliny the Elder describes it in his Naturalis historia as drilling holes in the mountains and then flooding them with large amounts of water. This is said to have literally eroded the hills. In order to bring the required amounts of water from the Sierra de la Cabrera, a canal system over 100 kilometers long was built. Parts of this system are still preserved today.

        Under the reign of Augustus, the area was finally occupied by the Romans after lengthy campaigns (Cantabrian War, 29-19 BC). In addition, the Cantabrian region was also of economic interest to the Romans due to its mineral wealth.

        Translated by Google •

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          Details

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          Elevation 800 m

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          Tuesday 16 September

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          Max wind speed: 2.0 km/h

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          Location: Carucedo, Bierzo, León, Castile and León, Spain

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