Mogrovejo The Gorgeous Village at the Foothills of the Picos de Europa
One of Spain’s most beautiful villages is Mogrovejo. Find it nestled at the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains in the enchanting Liébana Valley.
While there is little to see in the actual village itself, the surrounding areas and proximity to the mountains make it a fantastic place to stay when exploring the Picos de Europa National Park. Mogrovejo is situated to the south of the Andara Massif (Eastern) and offers access to numerous hiking trails and nearby villages.
The village has fewer than 50 inhabitants, making Mogrovejo an ideal destination for those seeking to unplug, disconnect, and spend time amidst beautiful natural surroundings.
This quick guide to Mogrovejo includes the best ways to reach this village, an overview of what to see and do, places to eat, and where to stay.
Mogrovejo is a fabulous place to spend a few hours or to spend a couple of days enjoying one of Spain’s best National Parks.
Table of Contents
- How to Get to Mogrovejo Spain
- What to See in Mogrovejo
- Places to Eat in Mogrovejo
- Where to Stay in Mogrovejo
- Conclusion | A Quick Guide to Picturesque Mogrovejo
How to Get to Mogrovejo Spain
The best way to get to Mogrovejo is by car.
By Car
Mogrovejo is quite isolated, so you will need to hire a car if looking to explore more of the Picos de Europa National Park. There are a few parking lots to leave rental cars. While you could get to Mogrovejo via taxi, you will be relying on a taxi for the entire stay. I don’t recommend this.
Mogrovejo is just to the west of Potes, a major hub in the Picos de Europa National Park. With a car, it’s only 15 minutes from Potes to Mogrovejo.
On Foot
Mogrovejo is found on the Camino Vadiniense. This Camino de Santiago route gets its name from the lost tribes known as “the Vadinians.” These tribes lived along the foothills of the Picos de Europa and were some of the last to resist the Roman conquest.
The Camino Vadiniense starts from Potes. Pilgrims typically walk the Camino Lebaniego to the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana and then return by bus to the Camino Norte. Alternatively, it’s possible to walk along the Camino Vadiniense from Potes to León. Upon arrival in León, pilgrims can then continue on the Camino Frances to Santiago de Compostela.
Mogrovejo is a nice surprise on the first day of the Camino Vadiniense. For those who started in San Vicente de la Barquera on the Lebaniego, pilgrims typically arrive in Mogrovejo on Day 4. Most pilgrims don’t choose to sleep in Mogrovejo, but rather, continue walking to Fuente Dé or Espinama.
Fuente Dé has the famous cable car in the Picos de Europa, which allows access to the high mountain hiking trails. There’s also a popular Parador Hotel in Fuente Dé.
Those just looking to walk to Mogrovejo can follow the yellow arrows past the Santo Toribio de Liebana Monastery from Potes.
🥾 Potes – Mogrovejo | Distance: 7 Miles / 11.25 KM | Duration: +/- 3.5 Hours
What to See in Mogrovejo
Mogrovejo is not very big and a majority of the sites can be explored over a few hours. Those looking to hike or stay in Mogrovejo can appreciate a few quiet days here.
Wander the Small Streets
Mogrovejo is listed on Spain’s official Pueblos Los Más Bonitos de España. It is one of seven villages listed in the Cantabrian autonomous region of Spain. In fact, the village a few years back was used as a filming location for a Spanish film about Heidi.
One of the best things to do in Mogrovejo is simply wander the picturesque streets.
The masonry houses, dating back to the 16th-18th centuries, are known to be some of the best preserved Lebanese-style homes. Around the town, it’s possible to see small churches, the signature tower, and old washing fountains.
What makes Mogrovejo so beautiful is it’s prime location at the base of some of Spain’s most iconic mountains.
Appreciate the Mogrovejo Tower
The Torre de Mogrovejo is a very well-preserved tower that looms over the mountain pueblo. While it’s nice to observe the tower, it’s a major bummer that you can’t visit it.
It is currently owned by a private investor, so it’s only possible to appreciate the Mogrovejo Tower from a distance.
Museo de la Escuela Rural de Mogrovejo
The Rural School Museum of Mogrovejo is located near the entrance of the town. This small museum showcases what school life was like for rural mountain villages in Spain before the boom of technology.
Museo de la Escuela Rural | High Season Hours: Daily, 11:00 – 14:00 / 16:00 – 20:00 | Admission: 2€
Hike the Bajo los Picos Circular Trail
One of the most famous hiking trails in Mogrovejo is the Bajo los Picos, or Under the Picos, circular hiking trail. The trail begins at the entrance of town near the public parking lot close to the Torre. The route cuts through diverse forests, open meadows, and showcases some spectacular views of the Picos de Europa.
There are plenty of water sources to refill water along the way. The trail cuts through nearby villages like Tanarrio and Redo before looping back to Mogrovejo. This route highlights the Municipality of Camaleño in the Liébana Valley.
This hiking route is considered fairly easy and is great for those who want to appreciate the idyllic mountain peaks without heading to the high mountains.
🥾 Bajo los Picos | Circular Route from Mogrovejo | Distance: 5.6 Miles / 9 KM | Duration: +/- 3.5 Hours | A detailed route map on Wikiloc
Relax & Explore the Liebana Valley
Liebana Valley is stunning and encircles a large area of 575 square kilometres. Mogrovejo sits right in the center, and the stunning region includes Potes, Espinama, and Lebeña. Some of these areas see a lot fewer tourists than the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park.
Those interested in legends of the area can visit the Pre-Romanesque Church of Santa Maria of Lebeña. It was built in 925 with the intent to house the remains of Saint Turibius.
The beautiful church is designed in the Asturias style of pre-Romanesque and Mozarabic architectural styles and is one of the most significant chapels on the Camino de Santiago route.
There are many beautiful hiking trails in the entire region of Liebana.
➜ Browse All the Accommodation Options in the Liebana Valley
Mogrovejo as a Base to Explore the Picos de Europa
Mogrovejo is an excellent place to stay in the Picos de Europa if looking to disconnect and unplug. Again, it’s only a 15-minute drive to Potes. The village is also only a 20-minute drive to Fuente Dé and its Teleférico.
Be mindful that if you are based in Mogrovejo, it will be quite isolated from some of the more popular places in the National Park, like the Cares Gorge hike and the pretty Lakes of Covadonga near Cangas de Onís.
If looking to get off the beaten path, Mogrovejo is an excellent option.
Adventure Sports Near Mogrovejo
If looking to have a real adventure, just down the road from Mogrovejo is PicosXtreme. This adventure-based company offers a ferrata in Los Llanos. Ferratas are ideal for people who want to get a taste of climbing that offers support like cables, handrails, and other safety devices.
Places to Eat in Mogrovejo
There are only three places to eat at in Mogrovejo.
The main restaurant in town is Quesos y Cosas. This restaurant has a mixture of tapas, specialty cheese plates from the region, and sandwiches.
Bar Tienda La Calvera is a small restaurant that has a lovely terrace.
Bar Mogrovejo is right in town on a main street. On nice days, they set up outdoor tables on the main street. They also serve up meat and cheese boards.
If seeking more food options, head into Potes, where there are tons of restaurants, cafes, and bars. In the opposite direction, Espinama also has a few restaurants.
A highly rated restaurant on the main road outside of Mogrovejo is Restaurante Los Molinos (Liébana).
Where to Stay in Mogrovejo Spain
There are no hotels in Mogrovejo, only private apartments and Casa Rurals.
➜ Apartamentos la Ventana de Mogrovejo
➜ Villa Mogrovejo
➜ Casa Teresa
As there are very limited places to stay in Mogrovejo, it might be nice to check out some of the nearby properties in the Liébana Valley.
Conclusion | A Quick Guide to Picturesque Mogrovejo Village in the Picos de Europa
In short, this is a quick overview of visiting Mogrovejo, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. This lovely village is found in the Cantabrian autonomous region in Spain and is situated at the foothills of the Picos de Europa.
This guide includes how to get to Mogrovejo, things to do there, places to eat, and where to stay.
While small, Mogrovejo offers chances to disconnect in the Liebana Valley or try extreme sports. The small mountain pueblo offers everything from hikes to viewpoints to culinary treasures. Even if you prefer not to hike, savor the mountain views, explore the nearby hamlets, or visit the ancient sacred churches.
Mogrovejo is worth visiting on a trip to the Picos de Europa.
Have you visited Mogrovejo? Did you think it was worth a visit? Let me know in the comments below!
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