Planning a trip to Patones de Arriba

Getting There

Continental Auto SA (tel. 91-533-04-00) runs bus service (Rte. 197) several times a day from the Plaza Castilla Intercambiador through Torrelaguna to Patones de Abajo. From here you can catch a taxi or follow the steep path from the main road up a gorge to the village (half an hour's walk), depending on how energetic you're feeling.

Drive up the N-1 Burgos highway to Venturada, then take the N-320 to Torrelaguna, and finally the M-102, which brings you right to Patones de Arriba's tiny main square.

Visitor Information

Situated right on the square is the village's surprisingly well-equipped Centro de Interpretación Rural de Patones (tel. 91-843-20-26 weekdays, or 91-843-29-06 weekends; www.sierranorte.com/citeco) on Plaza de Llano, occupying a stone house with the grandiose name of Palacio de los Reyes de Patones. Here you can follow Patones's history from ancient times right up to the present via a series of plans, sketches, and scaled models. You can also watch a half-hour video. It's open Saturday, Sunday, and fiestas from noon to 6pm. Weekday visits can be arranged by appointment. The website www.patones.es also has useful information.