Ermita de Santa Librada and the Via Verde del Henares
Most visitors never venture beyond the cathedral quarter, which means the small Ermita de Santa Librada — a whitewashed hermitage perched above the Henares valley on the edge of town — and the cycling and walking greenway below it remain blissfully uncrowded. Together they offer a perfect half-day of quiet discovery.
The Hermitage
The Ermita de Santa Librada sits on a rocky promontory at the northern edge of Sigüenza and can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes from the Plaza Mayor via a signed path. The exterior is simple and whitewashed, but the views from the rocky terrace around it are among the best in the area — looking back towards the castle and cathedral simultaneously.
The hermitage is usually locked except on the feast of Santa Librada (20 July), but the surrounding rocky outcrop is a wonderful picnic spot and a favourite with local families on Sunday mornings.
The Via Verde del Henares
Running along a disused railway line through the Henares river gorge, the Via Verde del Henares is a flat, traffic-free greenway stretching over 100 km from Sigüenza towards Guadalajara. The section immediately south of Sigüenza passes through tunnels, over iron viaducts and alongside the river — genuinely dramatic scenery for such an easy walk or cycle.
Bicycles can be rented from a small hire point near Sigüenza station (check current availability at viasverdes.com). Even walking just 4–5 km into the gorge and back gives a satisfying taste of the landscape without requiring any special fitness.
Combining Both in a Half-Day
Start at the hermitage in the morning for the views, then descend to the river valley and pick up the Via Verde heading south. Pack a picnic from the Sigüenza market stalls on Calle Mayor and find a shaded spot on the riverbank for lunch before returning to town.
This loop takes three to four hours at a relaxed pace and costs nothing beyond bike hire if you choose to cycle.
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