Riópar Motorhome Area

Riópar has a motorhome service area in the village itself, run by the Town Hall. It is free, open 365 days a year and has views over the valley of the river Vega. There is a large space to park without complicated manoeuvres, a drinking water tap and a point for emptying grey and black water. The Town Hall does not publish the number of spaces or whether there is electricity, so do not count on a socket.

Why sleep here

Riópar is the village closest to the Source of the River Mundo, about 7 km along the Puerto del Arenal road. On the busiest days, car access to Los Chorros is regulated, with a toll and a limited car park that fills up early, so sleeping in the village lets you set out early and arrive before those coming from Albacete or Hellín. Bear in mind that the road to the Source and some stretches of access to the village have bends and passes; with a large vehicle, go slowly.

From the area you can walk to the old town and the Royal Factories complex, which are in the centre of the village. It is also, as the Town Hall itself says, a good starting point for the municipal trail network: several routes leave from the village or pass nearby, and their maps are at the tourist office and on Wikiloc.

What it does not have

It is not a campsite: there is no published reception, showers, toilets or security, and the Town Hall does not indicate a length-of-stay limit. If you are looking for full services, the Río Mundo Campsite, at Mesones, about 12 km from the Source, has pitches under woodland; ask there whether they take your vehicle. Within the Calares del Mundo y de la Sima Natural Park, uses and activities are regulated by its regulations, which the Town Hall links from its trail network; for sleeping, use the area.

Tips

Fill your water tank before heading into the mountains, because outside the village there are hardly any service points. In winter, check the weather before climbing the passes. To eat without moving the motorhome, in the village are Mesón La Cuesta and the San Juan Restaurant. And if you have an afternoon to spare, go up to Riópar Viejo, a few kilometres away, with its Gothic church and the castle ruins.