Peña Bajenza

Peña Bajenza is a large rock formation situated just above the village of Islallana, part of the municipality of Nalda, in the Spanish province of La Rioja. The 400 metre high red coloured rocks sculpted by erosion are part of the Peñas de Viguera and one of the most well-known landmarks of the region.The formation has several hiking and climbing trails and is home to colonies of griffon vultures and other wild birds such the Egyptian vulture in summer. Two big crosses stand at the mountain. The first one can be found just in the beginning of the route . The second one stands at the summit of the highest rock . Each year on May 3, it becomes the destination of a pilgrimage known as the Romería de la Cruz. According to local legend, the cross commemorates a monk who killed himself by jumping from the top of the rock formation.RoutesAlthough there are more than ten routes to arrive to the mountain, the most used one is the one which starts in Islallana walking through the asphalted ground crossing the Iregua river. Once crossed the river, the route begins to be full of land on the floor and the slopes start. Continuing in this way, the first cross, which is situated on the feet of the mountain can be seen. There the route finishes, and it starts a path. That zone is all covered by pines and some water pipes that indicate the fastest way to go up. Going through that way in slopes with a 28% of ramp, the route to finish at the top of the mountain is going to be clearly indicated. Once in the top, this route starts to go back to return to Islallana. This route takes 2 hours and a half and 8,45 kilometers to be done.