The Windmill Train returns: discover the windmills of Campo de Criptana, the Land of Giants

A new way to explore the land that inspired Cervantes' Don Quixote de la Mancha is to do so on the Tren de los Molinos (Wheat Train) . This tourist attraction kicks off the spring season with trips between Madrid and Campo de Criptana on Saturday, May 17 , in collaboration with the City Council of Campo de Criptana.

Those "giants" that Don Quixote saw, and which were nothing more than windmills, just as Sancho warned him, are located in Campo de Criptana, one of the stops included in this day, which starts in Madrid , with a return trip on the same day, and is full of many activities for the traveler to get to know this area of ​​La Mancha.

The Mills Route Train ride features a very special character, where participants will taste wines from a winery and explore the area's most distinctive spots. They will also have the opportunity to learn about the local cuisine.

The excursion departs from Chamartín-Clara Campoamor station, where the Tren de los Molinos departs at 9:24 a.m. and stops at Madrid Atocha Cercanías at 9:42 a.m. It arrives in Campo de Criptana at 11:21 a.m., when the activities begin.

The first of these is a visit to one of the local wineries, where in addition to being able to explore the facilities with guided tours, you will also be offered a tasting of the different varieties of wine produced in their vineyards.

Next, you'll visit the Snow Well , which was the 18th-century freezer used to store ice to preserve food and medicine. It was restored in 2008 and is located on a hilltop next to the Cristo de Villajos chapel , a site that once constituted a settlement dating back to the medieval period.

After these two visits, it's time to stop for lunch (not included) and sample typical local dishes such as gachas (porridge), migas del pastor (shepherd's crumbs), lamb stew, Manchego ratatouille (pisto manchego), garlic soup, and cheeses.

The visit then continues to the Sierra de los Molinos . The panoramic view of these ancient structures has become a defining feature of La Mancha. Among the many windmills that can be seen in Campo de Criptana , which once housed the largest collection of windmills in the region, three are original from the 16th century and are still functional: Burleta, Infanto, and Sardinero. Today, there are twelve windmills visible in the Sierra de los Molinos and one on Cerro de La Paz. These windmills were declared Monuments of Historic-Artistic Interest and Assets of Cultural Interest in 2001.

Led by a guide, visitors can learn about the internal and external structure of these "giants," explore their interior, see their machinery, and learn how it works. Afterward, it's time to visit the Molino Manchego Interpretive Center .

The penultimate visit of the day will consist of a stroll through the Albaicín neighborhood, close to the Sierra de los Molinos, whose network of historic, narrow, steep streets, low houses with white facades, indigo plinths, reddish Arabic tiles, and wrought iron railings, will leave no one indifferent. Luis Cobos Park , in homage to the famous musician, brings the day to a close.