Orellán Viewpoint Car Park

The Orellán car park is the one used for going up to the Orellán viewpoint, the classic view of Las Médulas from above, and to the Roman galleries that open just before the viewpoint. It is next to the village of Orellán, in the municipality of Borrenes, on the opposite slope from the village of Las Médulas. It is paid: according to the 2026 resource leaflet of the Junta's tourist office in León, €4 for cars and €10 for minibuses.

Getting there

From Ponferrada you take the road towards Las Médulas and, before arriving, the turning to Borrenes and Orellán, the LE-6202. The road climbs to Orellán and the car park. From there you walk a short stretch to the entrance to the galleries and the viewpoint. With a pushchair, the last stretch and the galleries are not practical: a baby carrier is better.

If you are also going to see the village of Las Médulas, bear in mind that they are two different car parks, on two slopes. In the village, the car park is at the entrance, about 400 metres from the Visitor Reception Centre and 50 from the Valiñas amphitheatre. Between one and the other it is about ten minutes by car.

What there is above

The Orellán galleries are about 200 metres of tunnels that the Romans dug to bring the mountain down with water and wash the gold; on coming out you reach the viewpoint, with the red clay pinnacles among chestnut trees. According to the Junta's tourist office, until 9 December 2026 the galleries are open every day from 10:00 to 18:15. Admission costs €4, and €3 for groups of more than ten people and schools; the galleries' telephone is 649 701 216. The viewpoint is free to enter.

Inside the galleries the floor is uneven and there are steps: wear closed shoes and bring a torch or a phone with a light. Allow an hour and a half for parking, the galleries and the viewpoint.

When to go

In the afternoon, with the low sun, the clay turns orange and the view gains a lot; check the galleries' closing time beforehand if you want to go in. In autumn, with the chestnut trees golden, is when the landscape looks its best. The car park does not publish its own hours; the official source only gives the rates, so ask at the galleries if you go out of season.

What to combine

The logical thing is to start here to understand the whole landscape and then go down to explore it from the inside: the Valiñas trail leaves from the village of Las Médulas, next to the Visitor Reception Centre, where guided visits are booked. You have the details of the viewpoint on its page, the Orellán viewpoint. For eating without leaving the village, O Palleiro is in Orellán, with views of the mine, and also has accommodation: O Palleiro.