Spain’s Hidden Villages and Untamed Landscapes

"Nearly two millennia ago Roman engineers used ruina montium to reshape the hills here, and walking the gullies and galleries at Las Médulas makes that history vividly present: jagged red cliffs, hollows and gullies softened by chestnut forests form a surreal, UNESCO World Heritage landscape where I love the quiet and the scent of chestnuts. I recommend shorter routes like the Senda de las Valiñas (4km loop) through shady groves and Roman openings or the steep climb to Mirador de Orellán for spectacular sunset views; for a bit of adventure try the restored Galería de Orellán to imagine miners working by torchlight, and the longer Senda Perimetral (14km loop) if you want a full circuit past secluded forests and farms. Nearby sites such as Castro de Chano and the lesser-known Mirador de Reirigo add depth to visits. Practical notes I follow: stay in Ponferrada (about half an hour away), visit in autumn for golden foliage or spring for wildflowers, and bring water, a snack and maps or a GPS app for the longer hikes." - Matthew Kepnes