guia de recursos de turismo activo (ingles)

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ACTIVE TOURISM RESOURCES GUIDE

DISTRICT TOURIST OFFICE Paraje de Peñas Albas s/n10610 Cabezuela del Valle. CáceresTel.: 927 47 25 58turismo@mancomunidadvalledeljerte.comwww.turismovalledeljerte.com

SOPRODEVAJECtra. N-110 Km. 381-10613 Navaconcejo (Cáceres)Tel.: 927 47 11 00 www.valledeljerte.nethttp://soprodevaje.blogspot.com.es/

TUJERTE (Valle del Jerte Tourism Association)www. vallecereza.comhttp://vcereza.blogspot.com.es/.

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Index

Introduction

Our Towns

Points of Interest

Waterways

Climbing Zones

Canyoning

Hiking Trails

High Mountain Routes

Mountain Biking Trails

District Map

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Valle del Jerte is a natural district located in the far north-east of the province of Cáceres, on the southern slope of Gredos sierra, and is framed to the north by the province of Ávila and the Cáceres Valle del Ambroz, and to the south by the district of La Vera and Plasencia. The mountain is an exceptional protagonist, since at 25 miles long, around 6 miles wide and with altitudes of between 1,148 and 7,874 feet, Valle del Jerte is easily visible on any map and even in current satellite photographs.

The variation in height and multiple orientations enable numerous ecosystems: gallery forest, holm-oak pastures, oak woods, scrubland and high mountain pastures, along with a cultivated forest of cherry trees with the presence of chestnut and olive trees.

The economy is essentially focused on cherry growing. The inhabitants of its 11 towns form part of a live agrarian society, where the past and nature are in constant contact with change and the future. The fruits of their effort in working the land in a dynamic, profitable way are 40 years of cooperativism—an example of organisational efficacy.

The word “jerte,” which comes for Xerete Arabic, means crystal clear waters or narrow valley and is the name given to both the valley and the river that crosses it.

Active Tourism DestinationThere can be no better place for those wanting to experience nature at every step. Valle del Jerte has a wide range of possibilities and activities that will satisfy all your desires. You can get to know its landscape through its trails and waterways, enjoy its bathing zones, discover its viewpoints, observe its birds, practice climbing, canyoning, canoeing and event cycling at its Mountain Biking Centre, go deep into the high mountain area, or simply gaze in amazement at the cherry blossom or autumn chromatism, experiencing the full wonder of Valle del Jerte, as if this miracle were happening especially for you. We invite you to experience the area as a traveller and not a tourist, by getting to know its spectacular landscapes.

Introduction

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BarradoAltitude 2,612 ft. Population: 439

This town sits half way between Valle del Jerte and La Vera with steep labyrinthine streets that lie on the eastern slope of the San Bernabé sierra. It came about as a shepherd village in the late Middle Ages and obtained the title of town in the 18th century.

Do not miss:• 16th century San Sebastián Church• 18th century Our Lady of El Viso Hermitage• El Risco viewpoint• Festivals: La Alborá, San Gregorio and Palo de San Juan• Las Camellas relaxation area• La Solana Oak Tree (monumental tree)

Valle del Jerte is made up of 11 municipalities grouped into

the Community of Municipalities of Valle del Jerte that

is home to a population of around 12,000.

Other towns that in the course of history also formed part

of the valley have since disappeared: Asperilla, Oxalvo,

Peñahorcada and Vadillo.

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Cabezuela del ValleAltitude: 1,690 ft. Population: 2,443

Situated between the banks of the river Jerte and the Tornadero ravine, its origins date back to the Middle Ages when it began as a small village called La Aldea. Its old quarter, declared a Historic Artistic Complex, is home to what was its Jewish quarter, which was very important in the Middle Ages. In fact, its San Miguel Arcángel Church was built on top of the old synagogue.

Do not miss:• 16th and 18th San Miguel Arcán-gel Church• Our Lady of Peñas Albas, San Antonio and Cristo de la Paz Hermitages• Jewish Quarter• Viewpoint from the San Felipe y Santiago Hermitage• Burning of Judas (Holy Week)• Cherry Museum and Interpretive Centre of Water

CabreroAltitude: 2,425 ft. Population: 351

Located on the eastern slope of the valley, this town’s origins date back to the late Middle Ages, when it was a shepherd village. It has preserved its vernacular mountain architecture, adapting to the abruptness of the land. Its most outstanding building is the San Miguel Church, which was constructed in the 18th century on the remains of a temple dating from the 16th century.

Do not miss:• 18th century San Miguel Church

Casas del CastañarAltitude: 2,215 ft. Population: 631

Next to Cabrero, this town is surrounded by terraces filled with fig trees, vines and cherry trees, as well as leafy oak and chestnut woods. Around the church square, in its snaking streets, examples of traditional wooden lattice houses can be seen.

Do not miss:•16th century St. John the Baptist Church• 18th century Cristo del Humillade-ro Hermitage• Sayans Ethnographic Museum• El Arroyo relaxation area

Cabezuela del Valle Historic Artistic Complex

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sEl TornoAltitude: 2,523 ft. Population: 960

Situated at the skirts of the Traslasierra mountains, this is the valley’s natural viewpoint thanks to its strategic location. It has preserved examples of vernacular architecture in the Del Portugal neighbourhood. The old shepherd huts in Las Vaquerizas are worth seeing.

Do not miss:• 16th and 17th century Virgen de la Piedad Church•Stone huts in Las Vaquerizas•El Acarreadero Oak Tree. Monumental tree

JerteAltitude: 1,982 ft. Population: 1,288

Surrounded by meadows, orchards and cherry trees, the town stands next to the river of the same name. It is the most open and touristy location in the valley. The Plaza de la Independence square with its ancient arcades and presided over by the Barroque Our Lady of the Assumption Church is worth a visit.

Do not miss:•18th century Our Lady of the Assumption Church• 18th century Cristo del Amparo Hermitage• Salmonid Reproduction Centre• Natural Reserve Interpretive Centre• El Nogalón relaxation area. Natural pool

NavaconcejoAltitude: 1,503 ft. Population: 1,975

Also situated on the banks of the river Jerte, Cañada Real street, parallel to the river and to National Motorway 110, conserves part of the town’s old regional character with adobe houses with projectings, large eaves, wide balconies and wooden sun porches. The natural surroundings are home to the El Cerrillo viewpoint and Las Nogaleas ravine with spectacular waterfalls.

Do not miss:• 16th century Our Lady of the As-sumption Church• Cristo del Valle Hermitage• 12th century San Jorge Hermitage• La Fábrica building, an old sack-cloth factory.• Nogaleas ravine

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PiornalAltitude: 3,855 ft. Population: 1,564

Located on a high plateau of Tormantos sierra between Valle del Jerte and La Vera, this is the highest town in Extremadura. Its shepherd origins date back to the 12th century and it owes its name to the undergrowth of cytisus that surrounds it. It was here that the Bishop of Plasencia had his summer residence. Of great interest is the Jarramplas Festival, which is a national tourist attraction and is held on 19th and 20th January.

Do not miss:• St. John the Baptist Church• Town Hall Square• Caozo waterfall and Bonal ravine

RebollarAltitude: 2,041 ft. Population: 224

Small, charming town founded by inhabitants of the now abandoned town of Ojalvo. Its name comes from “rebollo,” that is, small oak mount. Located on the hillside, it has good views of the valley’s low zone. Architecturally speaking, Casas del Canchal stands out, since the houses perch precariously on top of huge granite rocks.

Do not miss:• 17th century Santa Catalina Church• Casas del Canchal• La Puria ravine relaxation area

Jarramplas Festival, a national tourist attraction

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TornavacasAltitude: 2,858 ft. Population: 1,181

Entry port and natural viewpoint of Valle del Jerte, this is the old capital of the feudal estate of the Álvarez Family of Toledo. The fruit of its old prosperity was the ennoblement of the dwellings, many of which display noble family crests and granite lintels, like the house where Carlos V stayed overnight on his way to the Yuste monastery.

Tornavacas sierras are part of the La Covacha Massif (7,858 ft) and El Calvitero Massif (7,864 ft) and offer numerous mountain routes. At its end is the largest surface area of the Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve.

Do not miss:• 16th century Our Lady of the Assumption Church, heritage of historic cultural importance, and Cristo del Perdón Chapel. • Cimero and Puentecilla Bridges• Picota cherry• Monte de La Cruz viewpoint• Bonfire night and recreation of the legend that gives its name to the town (1st and 2nd May)

ValdastillasAltitude: 2,093 ft. Population: 334

This is the first of the mountain municipalities. Its location on the northern slope of San Bernabé sierra affords it some beautiful views of the valley. The interior of the old quarter conserves some examples of its vernacular architecture.

Do not miss:• 16th century church dedicated to Santa María de Gracia• Route, waterfall and Marta Wi-nepress

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Iglesia de TornavacasBién de interés histórico cultural

Cherry Blossom Festival, a national tourist attraction

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Valle del Jerte offers multiple natural resources and equipment for use by tourists:• Protected natural spaces and monumental trees.• Bird watching sites.• Fishing, paragliding and canyoning zones.• Natural viewpoints.• Interpretive centres.• Bathing zones.

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Protected Natural Spaces

Jerte’s landscape is a work of nature, but also of man’s secular activity. The variety of orientations and altitudes enable the development of mulitple ecosystems: gallery forests, oak woods, scrubland and high mountain pastures. On this basis the inhabitants of the valley have left indelible marks on the territory, creating a mosaic of meadows and cherry, chestnut and olive trees.

Valle del Jerte is today home to most of Extremadura’s biodiversity: 150 bird species, 15 amphibian species, 23 reptile species, 56 mammal species and hundreds of plants and invertebrates, including

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over 100 butterfly species. The logical fruit of all this wealth is the legal protection of almost the entire district, since 95% of the Community of Valle del Jerte forms part of the European Union Red Natura 2000. The balance between agriculture and environment, the declaration of a protected natural space, the landscape’s biodiversity and other factors, have been the keys to maintaining a natural environment that is still “alive” and well conserved.

The challenge as a district is to turn the environmental value into an icon of the territory, preserve the agrarian

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landscape and highlight the water and natural setting, thereby making cherry growing and biodiversity sustainable.

Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve

Territory of almost 17,297 acres in the north-eastern sector of the valley and also includes the Sierra de Gredos and Valley del Jerte LIC, within the terms of Tornavacas, Jerte and Cabezuela del Valle. This natural space stands out not only for its flora and fauna, but also for its attractive landscape, with altitude variations fluctuating between 1,986 ft and almost 7,874 ft. Given these variations in altitude, we have three characteristic ecosystems: the gallery forest, deciduous or hillside forest and, finally, alpine or high mountain ecosystem made up of cytisus and alpine pastures. This entire mountain enclave gives rise to the appearance of different torrents and ravines that open up into the river Jerte: San Martín and Los Infiernos ravines that receive water from the La Serrá, Asperones and Chica or El Collado de las Yeguas ravines. Los Pilones is the most attractive and popular point of the reserve

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Monumental Trees

Prado Sancho Oak Tree in Cabezuela del Valle. Oak tree that stands alone in the midd-le of a meadow near the end of Honduras Port.

La Solana Great Oak Tree in Barrado. Can be accessed from Rabanillo Port along rou-te PR-CC18.

Centuries-old chestnut trees Centuries-old chestnut trees in Casas del Castañar. Five chestnut tres (Escondelo-bos and four others) that are among the largest on the Pe-ninsula at three nearby spots that are connected by a speci-fic route (SL-CC 35).Very near the valley are the Acarreadero Oak Tree in Cabe-zabellosa and the Birch Tree of Honduras Port in Gargantilla.

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Bird WatchingThere are some 150 bird species, which can be observed at different points all over the district.

PLACES OF ORNITHOLOGICAL INTEREST• Boyal Pasture and Villavieja Cliffs. Casas del Castañar. Oak tree pasture with forest birds. The cliffs and granite rocks can be seen, which is the natural habitat of vultures and birds of prey.

• Jerte Reservoir Tail. Casas del Castañar. The only wet zone in the valley. From August to October: black storks, shore birds, anatidae and seagulls.

• San Camello Port. El Torno-Cabezabellosa. Birds of prey and forest birds. Panoramic views. Acarreadero Oak Tree.

• Piornal Port. Piornal-La Olla Ravine. Pallid swift, Piornal re-servoir way and ascent to Peña Negra. Forest and scrubland birds. Excellent oak wood descending to La Olla Ravine.

• Honduras Port. Long motorway that ascends to 4,593 ft. Birds of prey, forest and shrub birds and two vulture colonies nearby. Cabeza Merina cliffs viewpoint/observatory at the Vadillo pasture creek.

• Los Infiernos Ravine. Jerte-Cabezuela. Oak trees, chestnut trees and forest birds.

• San Martín Ravine. Tornavacas. Dense oak wood with forest birds. Birds of prey and Spanish Ibex on the summits.

• Tornavacas Port. Oak wood and cytisus. Natural passage for migratory birds, especially in autumn.

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Fishing ZonesFi

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There are currently 11 fishing reserves in the entire district, both in the river Jerte and in the different ravines.

The different reserves are signposted on the map with their name. More information can be obtained at the Jerte Salmonid Reproduction Centre or on tel: 927 194 165.

Paragliding Zones

Valle del Jerte is without a doubt a great place to practice this sport, in places such as:

VALDEAMOR. Location: Cabezuela del Valle

EL PITOLERO. Location: Cerca de El Torno

Canoeing ZonesPlasencia reservoir. Tail of the reservoir. River Jerte.

Info: Consultar la Oficina de Información Turística Comarcal.

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Miradouros naturaisAny of the district’s 11 localities offer you excellent panoramic views. These are just some of the best known sites:

• La Memoria viewpoint, group of sculptures by F. Cedenilla dedicated to the forgotten of the Civil War and located in a privileged site with spectacular views of the locality of El Torno.

• Tornavacas Port viewpoint. Not to be missed, with excellent views of the entire district.

• El Cerrillo viewpoint. Navaconcejo. Excellent view over the locality, Nogaleas ravine and the low part of the valley.

• Honduras Port viewpoint. Natural passage linking Valle del Jerte with its neighbouring Valle del Ambroz. Each bend makes for an excellent viewpoint.

• Piornal viewpoint. This viewpoint offers you a striking panoramic view over the Jerte reservoir and the low part of the valley. The motorways linking Piornal with La Vera have magnificent views over a large part of Cáceres province.

• San Felipe y Santiago Hermitage viewpoint. Cabezuela del Valle. Located in the high part of the town, this viewpoint is distinguished by offering a 360° view of almost the entire district.

• Spanish Ibex viewpoint. Cabrero. Park-viewpoint that pays tribute to goatherds. Located at the municipality’s exit.

• La Cruz viewpoint. Tornavacas. Accessed via a local winding road. This viewpoint has a deep view of the valley with the Traslasierra mountain and Torreón Massif to the right (highest point in Extremadura).

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Interpretive Centres

Interpretive CentresGarganta de Los Infiernos Natural Reserve Interpretive Centres:

• Interpretive Centre for Water in Cabezuela del Valle. Tel. 927 472 004. This is made up of five themed blocks, starting with the reception area which has an information desk where visitors can find out about the different routes.

• Interpretive Centre for Fauna and Flora in Jerte. Tel.: 927 014 936. Made up of two rooms with a large amount of panels and models explaining the fauna and flora of Valle del Jerte.

• Salmonid Reproduction Centre located just over one mile from Jerte. Tel.: 927 19 41 65.

MuseumsCherry Museum. With exhibitions on how cherry growing and picking has evolved throughout the years. Cabezuela del Valle. Tel.: 636 731 862.

Themed Ethnographic Museum on the Legacy of Dr. Sayans. Casas del Castañar. Tel.: 927 478 001.

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Bathing zones

Throughout the entire valley, both in the river that cros-ses the entire district and the ravines that drop from the mountains, there are different bathing zones, where you can enjoy a nice dip.

Pools

Barrado: Las Camellas bathing zone in El Obispo ravine and municipal swimming pool.

Cabrero: Natural pool in Ra-banillo ravine just over half a mile away.

Casas del Castañar: El Beni-dor bathing zone in the river Jerte and municipal swim-ming pool.

Cabezuela del Valle: Three natural pools in the river Jerte on its passage through the town. Two of the-se—La Pesquerona and El Si-

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món—are opposite the tourist office. Services: refreshment stall, children’s park, etc. The other—El Vao— is in the low part of the town. Services: re-freshment stall and children’s park, etc.

El Torno: La Tabla and La Ala-meda del Pino bathing zones in the river Jerte. Location: El Torno motorway from the N-110. Natural pool in La Puria ravine, 656 ft from the town. Municipal swimming pool at the entrance to the town.

Jerte: •El Nogalón and Las Tenerías natural pools in the river Jer-te. Services: refreshment stall, rest area and children’s park.

•Municipal swimming pool just over 1 mile from the town.

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Navaconcejo: Several bathing zones in the river Jerte on its passage through the town. Ponds in the Nogaleas ravine.

Piornal: El Calderón pool 1.8 miles away from the town and two municipal swimming pools.

Tornavacas: El Pinguero natu-ral pool in the river Jerte, in the area of Real de Arriba street. Municipal swimming pool 500 m from the town. Featuring “Snack-bar service”

Valdastillas: Natural pool in Bonal ravine. Access from the town. Municipal swimming pool just over half a mile away.

Garganta de los Infiernos Na-tural Reserve: LOS PILONES. Walk almost 2 miles to reach Los Pilones, which begins at the main entrance to the Gar-ganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve.

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Waterways

Valle del Jerte is the valley of water. The union between valley and river is such that they even came to share the same name. The river was born at the top of the valley next to Tornavacas Port; humble origins for a true force of nature that sustains the life of this district. The valley and river cannot be understood without the network of creeks and ravines that feed them, forming a water system of transparent blood that circulates the valley below looking for a path between imposing rock walls. This millennia old struggle has formed a network of intricate labyrinths that hide a handful of unique geographic spaces: the ravines of Valle del Jerte, true geological and environmental treasures. To approach this path of water and rock is to approach the very heart and history of this valley at the foot of the Gredos sierra; a journey that leads us to corners where natural beauty is shown in all its splendour.

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PIORNAL. Caozo waterfall, located in Bonal ravine, is one of the valley’s most famous waterfalls, both for its spectacularity and beauty, and easy access. It is accessible by car from the motorway linking Valdastillas with Prional. Valdastillas is where the trail SL-CC 32 (Caozo Waterfall) begins for those who prefer enjoying this landscape with a gentle walk. Here the crystal clear water fragments into white liquid curtains that fall down the vertiginous back of a rock giant.

As well as Caozo, Bonal ravine also has El Calderón waterfall and a bathing zone of the same name further along, next to a humble stone bridge: Los Molinos bridge.

Relaxation area and waterfall

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Relaxation aRea, wateRfall and viewpoint

VALDASTILLAS. Located 656 ft from the motorway linking Valdastillas with Cabrero. Windmills, sawmills, light factories and winepresses have been built on the banks of river courses using hydraulic engineering since Medieval times. One such example is Marta Winepress, which was acquired by Valdastillas Town Hall in 1992. Here, olives were pressed from January to March to obtain oil and each family was paid for each foot of olive pressed; one foot was the equivalent of 20 or 30 baskets of olives.

328 ft from the winepress we will find the spectacular Marta Ravine waterfall with a walkway for visiting and enjoying the spectacle offered by its waters, especially during periods of rain and thaws.

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touR with numeRous viewpoints oveR diffeRent wateRfalls in the Ravine.

NAVACONCEJO. Trail SL-CC 33 that passes through Nogaleas ravine lets us admire numerous waterfalls in a wild, leafy spot and is a true spectacle for the senses. Large waterfalls with several branches and a heavy drop amid thick typical gallery forest vegetation with black poplars, ash trees and sycamores, along with oak, chestnut and cherry trees grown on steep terraces. Good times for enjoying these waterfalls are autumn, winter and spring, when the water flow is more abundant. In the high section, a walkway allows us to cross the water course and approach one of its waterfalls to see it close up.

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Relaxation area, viewpoint, waterfall and bird watching

CABEZUELA DEL VALLE. Viewpoint that is accessed via Honduras Port. This is a European protected space, the Sierra de Gredos and Valle del Jerte Site of Community Importance (LIC), which helps with the conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna. Next to the Cabeza Merina Cliff and Los Buitres Ravine is where a visitors can see a combination of granite cliffs, rock birds, Pyrenean oak forests, chestnut and cherry trees, gallery forests (of sycamores, ash trees and willows) and, of course, a little known waterfall: Vadillo Pasture Creek waterfall, which looks its best during periods of rain and thaws. This creek flows through a craggy place plagued with vultures and other rock birds, but the queens of the summits are golden eagles and Bonelli’s eagles, whose silhouettes still fly over these valleys and sierras to the delight of ornithologists and enthusiasts.

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Relaxation area and viewpoint

CASAS DE CASTAÑAR. This park is located next to Fuente del Santo and enjoys the freshness of the water current that gives it its name and which is born in Fuente de las Escobachas, an area of centuries-old chestnut trees on the slope of the San Bernabé sierra. The locality has its origins in the chestnut dryers of the inhabitants of Asperilla (dedicated to forestry in these mountains) and settlements for the hunting of bears and wolves, according to the book on hunting of King Alfonso XI. The old quarter has vernacular mountain architecture, with quiet narrow streets and timber houses of various heights with projectings and finished off with sun porches.

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Relaxation aRea and viewpoint

EL TORNO. At an altitude of almost 3,281 ft is the spot known as El Labradillo (Sierra de Gredos and Valle del Jerte LIC). Here we can hear the water fall as it searches for the Tejo ravine to then join the waters of La Puria ravine. In addition to the magnificent views of the valley, this place is uniquely rich in farmer and shepherd constructions (huts, pens, pigsties and sheepfolds) that are scattered over the hillside. The most representative example is the “chozo” or hut, a dry stone building for sheltering people that is hundreds of years old and was built with the materials available in the environment to provide protection from inclement weather and to stay near their livelihood. Testimonies of our traditional culture.

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Relaxation aRea located on the motoRway linking RebollaR with el toRno.

REBOLLAR. Back in the day it was called La Furia ravine, which gives us an idea as to how its lively waterfalls and creeks tumble down during periods of rain and thaws. This little known and visited spot offers us a multitude of corners with pools of crystal clear water and small dreamy waterfalls, gallery forest vegetation and panoramic views of the valley. It can be accessed from a lay-by on the motorway linking the localities of Rebollar and El Torno. If you want a more extensive tour, you can take trail PR-CC 8 (Labradillo Creek-La Puria Ravine) from the same relaxation area. 9 km long circular route that starts and ends in El Torno.

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Relaxation area

BARRADO. Near La Vera and connected to Valle del Jerte via Rabanillo Bridge near the river course of El Obispo ravine, this is Las Camellas reservoir and El Obispo ravine. Near this reservoir, a mere 1.5 km downstream, is a natural bathing zone known as Las Camellas. Populated since ancient times, El Obispo ravine valley has Vettone and Roman remains. There was a Visigoth tablet here in the late 6th century, which was donated to the Museum of the Royal Academy of History in 1889 and known internationally. It was from a key category during the Visigoth era. Its importance today lies in the fact that it is considered an almost unique piece that is an example of the transformation from Latin to Spanish.

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CABRERO. Fuente El Tomillar takes its name from the spot in which it is located. The surroundings now in excellent shape, we can enjoy its views. Cabrero was founded in the High Middle Ages, its oldest name being Las Casas del Cabrero. King Alfonso XI wrote of the town in his hunting book “that there were bears, wild boar and a type of wild goat.” Regarding the aforementioned goats, these appear on the municipality’s coat of arms and on a bronze monument of a wild male, placed at the town viewpoint.

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Relaxation area

JERTE. This is a small town with vernacular timber architecture that can be admired from amid its alleys, with houses bearing crests in the Los Bueyes neighbourhood that survived the plundering perpetrated by French troops during the War of Independence. It has two natural pools: one is next to the El Nogalón park and the other is called Tenerias. The Salmonid Reproduction Centre can also be visited, which is dedicated to the reproduction and observation of the common trout with the purpose of repopulating the rivers of Extremadura, along with the Interpretive Centre on the fauna and flora of the Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve.

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TORNAVACAS. The old capital of the dominion of the Álvarez Family of Toledo, which is marked by its border location. It was the first town the flocks from the plateau reached on their way from Castilla. Important local festivals are celebrated in early May, such as firework night, the representation of a local legend Ya Tornan las Vacas (The Cows are Going Back) and the Pilgrimage of the Cross. At this last one, the inhabitants ascend Monte de la Cruz where a popular mass is held and then there is a communal outdoor meal with traditional games and charanga music. This mountain has a natural viewpoint, from which you can see the entire valley from Tornavacas Port to the Torreón Massif (7,874 ft), as far as Plasencia, and also the summit of Castilfrío (7,654 ft) and San Martín ravine to the east.

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aClimbing ZonesValle del Jerte has different climbing zones. We describe the three most popular ones that have an information panel regarding the different routes and their difficulties.

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Locality: El Torno. Next to La Memoria viewpoint.

Coordinates: 40.121989, -5.951210

Access: From the N-110 we take the CV-51 motorway uphill to El Torno. Before reaching the town, we can see a lay-by to the right with a viewpoint and some anthropomorphic sculptures. This is where information panel on the climbing zone is located.

Best time of year:It is south facing and the sunny days of winter are very good for climbing here and spring and autumn are better because you can also enjoy the colours of Valle del Jerte.

Routes, rock and equipment: The rock is unaggressive solid granite; stickable plates with round edges and cracks dominate. They have over 50 routes with varied heights between 19.7 and 52 ft, as well as 20 clean marked blocks. The grade is a guideline and goes from III+ to 8.

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Locality: Cabezuela del Valle.

Coordinates: 40.190003, -5.818137

Access: From Plasencia, via the N-100, before entering Cabezuela del Valle, we can see a motorway to the left with an arrow pointing to the climbing zone and a poster for the Casa de Ejercicios San José. Half a mile from the deviation is the climbing zone. From Barco de Ávila, we pass through the locality of Cabezuela and take the previous deviation now on the right.

Best time of year:The zone is in the shade in the morning and in the sun in the afternoon, so climbing can be done all year round. Avoid the cold mornings in winter and the sunny afternoons in summer.

Routes, rock and equipment: The rock is solid granite; stickable plates with small edges and cracks dominate. There are 55 routes with variable heights between 19.7 and 52 ft, as well as 20 clean marked blocks. The grade is a guideline and goes from IV to 7C

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1. La Huerta del Abuelo José1. Parabolt giratorio – IV2. Papa Jose y Mama Juani - 6c3. Cachorrillos - III+4. Los 2 cerdillos - III+5. El Chipilicuatro - III+6. Balanolas - V+7. Bichomanía - V+8. Llamada perdida - 6ª9. Sin nombre – IV

2. Muro Central1. Tiranosaurusmen – 7c2. El recolector de cerezas – V+3. PowerMan – 7b+4. Bob es monja – 7a+5. De Capullo a mariposo - 7a+/7b6. Cazatalentos – 8a/+7. Fritanga – 7c+8. Tikimania – 8b+9. Esterilla y empotres de rodilla - 6b10. Oráculo – 7a/+11. Simbiosis – 7c12. Grabedad O – 8a

3. Canchal de la Sonrisa1. Cuando una puerta se cierra... - 6b2. Minimalista - ¿?3. Extrema y dura - 7a+4. Ojos rojos - 6c5. Al filo de lo posible - 6a

4. Naranjito1. Nasti de plasti –IV2. El palmeo de los 1000 dedos - 6b+3. Tocino Lay/Chorizo Lay - /b o /c4. La calidad del tordo - 6c

5. Madroñera1. Madroños – V2. La Visagra - V+3. Fisurita troglodita - 6b+4. Variante del tunante - 6b+

6. Coco Loco1. El lagartijo pijo –V2. El ronchador - 6c3. Espolón Yeti´s line - 7b4. El bicho -6ª5. Copito de nieve - 6b6. Placódromo - 6c+7. Lagartijazo - V

7. Apache1. Benji - 6b+2. Ciclo formativo - IV+3. Luz de Luna - 6b4. La escondida - 6b5. Paranoia - ¿?6. Empotramientos - 6a+

8. La Cueva de los Maquis1. Pájaro cagón - V+2. Criswinisia musiquitas - ¿?3. Ergo sum - 7b+4. El semental - 7a+5. Más chula que un 8 - 7b+6. Enamorado de sus cadenas - 6b7. Síganme los buenos!!! - 6a

33

Locality: Outskirts of Tornavacas.

Coordinates: 40.257606, -5.679818

Access: Leaving Tornavacas via its high part, along Real de Arriba road barely 984 ft from the last houses of the town, we can see the climbing wall next to the football pitch.

Best time of year:Like all the zones of Valle del Jerte, the best times for climbing are spring and autumn. However, given its south-west orientation, we can climb in the shade in the morning in summer and in the sun in the temperate afternoons of winter.

Routes, rock and equipment: This is a 39 ft high artificial natural rock wall with the original characteristics of real rock: hidden grips, sticky to the touch and countless edges. Different climbing styles (Boulder, sports, several long ones, artificial and even dry tooling) can be learned and practiced. lt has eight learning routes, with grades from V to 6c and the possiblity of linking a route over 150 m long and around 7ª+ difficulty that goes right around the wall at ground level.

Equipadas en Abril 2010. Revisadas Octubre 2013

La P

edre

ra

34

Bar

ranc

osCanyoning Zones

Valle del Jerte has one of the best ravine networks in northern Extremadura, three of which are equipped for practicing canyoning or what is known locally as Gargantismo.

Cany

ons

35

Bar

ranc

os

Los

Pap

úo

s

This canyon hides some of the

zone’s most beautiful spots and pools, with rappels of up to

98 ft, 39 ft high waterfalls and slides that make it the most complete and fun descent in the area. Sculpted in hard granite, locals and visitors alike are amazed by its continuity and aesthetic that is more fitting of

limestone landscapes. A true valley adventure.

LOCALITYJerte

RECOMMENDED TIME OF YEARSummer and spring. Be careful with the volume of water, since it can be

impassable.DIFFICULTY

V4. A4.II (according to the French scale)SECTION LENGTH

3,609 ftSTARTING HEIGHT

3,609 ftHEIGHT DIFFERENCE

702 ftFINAL HEIGHT

2,907 ftCOMBINATION OF CARS

NoLONGEST RAPPEL

98 ftSLIDES

4RAPPELS

9DROPS

3 (optional)

D: ReleaseP: HandrailS: DropT: SlideR: RappelThe numbers refer to metres of rope required

Technical Specifications

APPROXIMATION1h 30 min (on foot) 5DESCENT TIME 7 hours 15 min 6RETURN45 min (on foot)

Cany

ons

36

Las

No

gal

eas L a s

Nogaleas ravine, located on the skirts of

the Traslasierra mountains at the end of the municipality

of Navaconcejo, is famous for its waterfalls, hiking tail and pools that are visited by locals in need of a refreshing dip. Here we will find

some of the most striking spots offered by the valley.

Los números son los metros de cuerda necesarios

D: ReleaseP: HandrailS: DropT: SlideR: Rappel

LOCALITYNavaconcejo






984 ftFINAL HEIGHT

1,064 ftAPPROXIMATION25 min (on foot) 5

DESCENT TIME3 hours 30 min 6

RETURN5 min (on foot)

COMBINATION OF CARSNo

LONGEST RAPPEL98 ft

SLIDES1

RAPPELS0

The numbers refer to metres of rope required


37

Los

Ho

yos

Los Hoyos ravine is small and

particularly suitable for beginner canyoners who want to

perfect their installation technique, with fun rappels, slides and amazing corners, since the reality is totally different from what it looks like from the outside. Next to the town of

Jerte, this place hides its secrets very well. Access is very

short and it is possible to combine cars.

LOCALITYJerte






295 ftFINAL HEIGHT

2,297 ftAPPROXIMATION15 min (on foot) 5

DESCENT TIME2 hours 6RETURN

5 min (on foot)COMBINATION OF CARS

YesLONGEST RAPPEL

49 ftSLIDES

3RAPPELS

5

The numbers refer to metres of rope required

D: ReleaseP: HandrailS: DropT: SlideR: Rappel


38

Sen

deris

mo

Hiking Trails

Valle del Jerte has 21 signposted hiking trails, via which you can become very familiar with the district’s most emblematic natural spots. There is nothing better than leaving the car and exploring old roads on foot to see what life was like back them and what it is like now in this fertile, generous land. This is also an excellent opportunity to explore its towns and find interesting remains of their vernacular architecture of timber houses, and, above all, to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views that can be seen from its mulitple natural viewpoints.

Hik

ing

39

Sen

deris

mo

Hik

ing

Signposting of trailsThese are some of the signs you will find when you take the routes we describe below.

Practical information

HIM is a communication system amongst hikers to assess and express the technical and physical demands of the routes. Its objective is to unify appraisals regarding the difficulty of hikes so that each hiker can make the best choice.

HIM (Hiking Information Method)

1. The natural surroundings are not risk free.2. There is more than one risk factor3. There are several risk factors4. There are quite a lot of risk factors 5. There are many risk factors

1. Well defined roads and crossroads2. Paths or signage that indicate continuation3. Requires accurate identification of geographical accidents and cardinal points 4. Requires orientation and navigation techniques off the path5. Navigation is interrupted by obstacles that must be skirted around

1. Walking along a smooth surface2. Walking along bridle paths3. Walking along paths with steps or irregular land4. It is essential to use your hands keep your balance5. Requires some climbing to advance

1. Up to one hour of effective walking2. One to three hours’ effective walking3. Three to six hours’ effective walking4. Six to 10 hours’ effective walking5. Over 10 hours’ effective walking

*Calculated according to HIM criteria for an average hiker carrying a light backpack.

EnvironmentHarshness of the natural surroundings

ItineraryDifficulty getting your bearings in the itinerary

DisplacementDifficulty in displacement

EffortAmount of effort required

43

The Valle del Jerte section begins at Cordel del Valle in Tornavacas Port. We cross Tornavacas to continue along the PR-CC 1 Carlos V Route and PR-CC 2 Cherry Blossom Route that advance amid meadows and farmland as far as the entrance to the Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve, where the GR heads towards Jerte, which we will skirt around to get to the reception of the natural reserve, where the Interpretive Centre can be found along with a camp site and children’s campsite. From there to Los Arenales and after crossing Los Buitres ravine, we return to Cordel del Valle as far as Cabezuela del Valle.

Here the trails starts ascending to Honduras Port along a road with a steep slope that is the start of the old muleteer route to Valle del Ambroz. It fully coincides with the PR-CC 10 (Las Juderías Route), which leads to Gargantilla, and partially coincides with the SL-CC 22 (Convent Route). It goes up Valle de Honduras along a track at the start and a trail in its high part, crossing the pretty Garganta Honda bridge and going up the hillside amid oak trees. High up, it goes through a gate and after passing a house, the track we are taking leads us to Honduras Port, where the Jerte section of this trail ends.

Tornavacas Port-Honduras PortLas Juderías Route

TornavacasJerte

Cabezuela del Valle

GR

10

The Jerte section of the GR10

goes through two important natural passages with millennia-

old tradition in the passage of persons, animals and goods. From

Castilla, you go deep into the heart of the valley to tour, next to the river of the same name, a variety of landscapes containing cherry tree terraces and

dynamic towns, until you go up Las Honduras ravine and access

Honduras Port.

45

Tornavacas Port-Honduras PortLas Juderías Route

m 450

550

650

750

850

950

1050

1150

1250

1350

1450

0 km 4 8 12 16 20 24

Pu

ert

o d

e

To

rnavacas

Pu

ert

o d

e

Ho

nd

ura

s

26

Cab

ezu

ela

del V

alle

Ctr

a. IR

YD

A

To

rnavacas

Sep

ara

ció

n

PR

-CC

1

Reserv

a N

at.

G

arg

. In

fiern

os

Jert

e

Pu

en

te

Garg

an

tah

on

daGR 10

Route: LinearStart: Tornavacas PortFinish: Honduras PortLength: 16 milesEstimated time: 8h 30min.Difficulty: Medium-highHeight difference 5: 3,379 ftHeight difference 6: 2,904 ft

1 2 2 4

GR

10

Rou

te P

rofil

esH

IM

46

Valle del Jerte section: the trail leaves Cabezuela del Valle on the same GR 10 with the river Jerte flowing below, still to its right, except for a short section when it passes through Navaconcejo. From here, it continues, first crossing the Rebollar motorway (CC-133) along a track that goes through La Puria ravine and leaves the bathing waters below us until we cross the El Torno motorway. Having barely ascended 656 ft along the CC-51, we take a road that will take us along the skirts of the Cabezabellosa sierra, first reasonably flat along a partly concrete road and then, turning to the right, along a narrow ascending passage between stone walls as far as the municipal limit of El Torno and Valle del Jerte.

Plasencia section: From the same municipal limit with El Torno, the trail advances (not signposted) along the Old Plasencia Way and Cordel de Merinas until it arrives at Plasencia. Crossing the city, it heads towards the Silver Way to end up in the San Gil district and, from there, the Silver Way. This trail covers the length of Valle del Jerte, enabling the Silver Way to connect with the GR-10 E7.

Valle del Jerte – Silver Way

Cabezuela del ValleNavaconcejo

Plasencia

GR

11

0

The axis of the valley. This trail

aims to serve as a link connecting the medium and

low basins of Valle del Jerte. It starts at the GR 10 in Cabezuela del Valle, joins the Silver Way be-yond Plasencia in the San Gil dis-trict, and in its final section runs

parallel to another Vera de Plasencia trail heading

in the same direc-tion.

47m

375

475

0 km 4 8 12 16 20 23.91

Ca

be

zue

la

de

l V

all

e

Fin

tra

mo

V

all

e J

ert

e

24

Na

va

co

nc

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Pu

en

te

Ctr

a.

CV

-13

3

Pis

ta

Se

nd

a

De

riv

ac

ión

E

l To

rno

Se

nd

a

Ctr

a.

CV

-51

GR 110

Rou

te P

rofil

es

GR

11

0

Route: LinearStart: End of El TornoFinish: San Gil. Silver WayLength: 15 milesEstimated time: 7 h. 10 m.Difficulty: MediumHeight difference 5: 476 ftHeight difference 6: 689 ftH

IM-P

lase

ncia

Route: LinearStart: Cabezuela del ValleFinish: End of El TornoLength: 15 milesEstimated time: 7 h.Difficulty: MediumHeight difference 5: 1,312 ftHeight difference 6: 1,460 ft

HIM

-Val

le d

el J

erte

1 2 2 4

1 2 2 4

48

This trail takes us through the best known valleys of northern Extremadura: El Jerte and La Vera. We leave Tornavacas along La Picota and La Hermita Del Cristo, crossing the river Jerte that we will follow on its left as far as the entrance to the Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve. The next characteristic place is Nuevo bridge, from which we ascend to pass through Las Yeguas ravine up to El Hornillo, which is covered by an extensive heath. We cross a bridge over El Hornillo ravine, arriving at Collado de las Yeguas. From here, which is already La Vera, we descend through El Yedrón ravine up to Fuente del Nuncio. We cross an oak wood and the Guijo de Santa Bárbara motorway until we pass Jaranda ravine along Palos bridge, from where we enter Jarandilla.

Carlos V Route

TornavacasJarandilla de La VeraP

R-C

C 1

49

Rou

te P

rofil

es

m 500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

1500

0 km 4 8 12 16 20 24 27.92

1471.40 m598.90 m1143.80 m1444.60 m

To

rnavacas

En

trad

a R

.N.

Garg

. In

fiern

os

Garg

. E

l Y

ed

rón

Co

llad

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e

las L

osas

Pte

. N

uevo

Pte

. G

arg

. E

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orn

illo

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e las Y

eg

uas

Fte

. d

el N

un

cio

Pte

. d

e P

alo

s

Jara

nd

illa

70

PR-CC 1

Route: LinearStart: Tornavacas (Plaza Nueva)Finish: Jarandilla.Length: 17.2 milesEstimated time: 9 h. 45 m.Difficulty: Medium-highHeight difference 5: 3,757 ftHeight difference 6: 3,757 ft

HIM

PR

-CC

1

Carlos I of Spain and V of Germany decided to spend his final days at the Yuste Monastery. His journey began on 5th October 1556 and ended on 11th November, when he arrived at Tornavacas to spend the night and the next day start the hardest stage of his journey.

To create a short cut, the emperor asked to be taken through the Tormantos sierra from Tornavacas to Los Infiernos ravine. After getting through Collado de las Yeguas, at an altitude of 4,849 ft, with great difficulty, he arrived at Jarandilla. There, he was to lodge at the Castle of the Count of Oropesa (now a National Tourist Lodge) until his monastery in Cuacos de Yuste was built.

1 2 2 4

50

Mapa

Start and finish: Tornavacas (Plaza Nueva)Length: 13.7 milesEstimated time: 7h Difficulty: MediumHeight difference 5: 2,493 ftHeight difference 6: 2,493 ft

From Tornavacas, via the PR-CC 1 Carlos V and the GR 10 on its initial section, we enter the Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve as far as km 8 where, at Collado de Tierra Blanca (or Collado de las Losas), we leave the PR Carlos V to descend along the road as far as Sacristán bridge, cross Los Infiernos ravine and continue along a trail as far as Los Pilones Bridge. Here we can see the reserve’s most famous attraction: Los Pilones. We ascend to the Chorrero de la Virgen waterfall viewpoint and, without leaving the road, connect with the GR 10 near Jerte. Without entering the town, the route passes near the Salmonid Reproduction Centre and takes us to the crossroads with the PR Carlos V and from there to the starting point.

Cherry Blossom Route

Tornavacas /Jerte

HIM

Rou

te P

rofil

es

Walking the route during flowe-

ring season: in late March and early April, we discover

one of the most famous specta-cles of Valle del Jerte—the che-rry trees in bloom—and a national tourist attraction. But, despite the route’s name, this route can be walked at any time of the year

given all the attractions it offers. You won’t be di-

sappointed.

PR

-CC

2

1 2 2 4

m 550

650

750

850

950

0 km 4 8 12 16 20 22.59

To

rnavacas

To

rnavacas

En

trad

a R

.N.

Garg

. In

fiern

os

Mir

ad

or

de la V

irg

en

Ch

orr

era

Pte

. S

acri

stá

n

Pte

. L

os P

ilo

nes

Jert

e

00

Co

llad

o d

e

las L

osasPR-CC 2

51

Route: CircularStart and finish: Tornavacas (Fuente de los Mártires)Length: 7.5 milesEstimated time: 4h. 15min.Difficulty: MediumHeight difference 5: 2,067 ftHeight difference 6: 2,067 ft

From the high zone of the town, next to Fuente de los Mártires, we first ascend along a track and then along a narrow trail to get to a deviation that allows us to ascend to the Monte de La Cruz viewpoint (1.5 miles there and back). From the aforementioned point, the trail crosses a small creek and passes near an old prospection, until arriving at the GR 10 to ascend to Tornavacas Port. There, the route crosses the motorway and leads us to an old mine called Santa Ana, where the remains of the windmill and crusher, and the dwellings of the managers and clerical staff can be seen. Returning to the port, we descend along a trail parallel to Martidegundi creek that, after crossing the N 110, continues along a concrete road that comfortably leads us to the start and end point of the trail.

Wolframium Mines

Tornavacas

HIM

Rou

te P

rofil

es

The extrac-tion of tungsten,

known in the zone as wol-framium, marked an era and

a way of surviving in the town of Tornavacas, its greatest exploita-tion being during the Second World War. There are several mines of this kind throughout the district,

though what can currently be seen are the remains of the

excavations.

PR

-CC

3

m 900

1000

1100

1200

1300

0 km 2 4 6 8 10 12

To

rnavacas

To

rnavacas

Mir

ad

or

de la C

ruz

Min

a d

eW

olf

ram

io

Sep

ara

ció

n G

R 1

0

Co

incid

en

cia

GR

10

Cru

ce N

-110

Cru

ce N

-110

PR-CC 3

1 2 2 3

52

El TornoPR

-CC

7

We leave from Fuente del Regajo in El Torno. We ascend via the old bridle path, alternating between concrete sections and the original stone path, until we get to the spot known as El Labradillo, which is full of old agropastoral dry stone constructions—stone huts that are testimonies of the valley’s traditional culture. The route continues uphill passing through enclosures with chestnut trees and a cherry tree here and there and arriving at a high point after crossing a creek. We continue along a road amid thick vegetation until we get to the Los Pinos track that we follow for around 1.6 miles until we take a trail on the left which, within a few feet leaves us on the rocks that make up El Canchal del Maquí, the end point of this trail. The return is via the same road.

Canchal del Maqui

The trail uses one of the roads used

by anti-Francoist guerrillas for their resistance activities

during the Civil War. It ends in a rocky zone that served as a tempo-

rary shelter for the leading players of that struggle. The trail moves between uncultivated zones and meadows and crop enclosures, showing nume-

rous examples of the valley’s ver-nacular architecture.

Rou

te P

rofil

es

Route: Linear returnStart: El Torno (Fuente del Regajo)Finish: El Torno (Fuente del Regajo)Length: 10.4 milesEstimated time: 5h 15min.Difficulty: Medium-highHeight difference 5: 2,247 ftHeight difference 6: 2,247 ft

HIM

m 700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

1500

0 km 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Pis

ta L

os P

ino

s

Pis

ta L

os P

ino

s

Can

ch

al d

el M

aq

ui

El To

rno

El To

rno

Co

incid

en

cia

P

R-C

C 8

Co

incid

en

cia

P

R-C

C 8

16.80

PR-CC 7

2 2 2 3

53

Route: CircularStart and Finish: El Torno (Avenida Manuel Martín)Length: 7.5 milesEstimated time: 4h. 40min.Difficulty: MediumHeight difference 5: 2,018 ftHeight difference 6: 2,018 ft

We leave along the local El Torno road in the direction of Rebollar to take the uphill road on the left that takes us half way up the slope as far as a concrete track, along which we descend as far as a road on the left that leads us to a bridge that crosses La Puria ravine. This where the deviation from the trail starts that leads us to a rest area next to the ravine starts. On the return to the aforementioned point, we start ascending along a zigzagging trail parallel to the ravine, which enables us to enjoy spectacular waterfalls and sports that awaken the valley’s soul in us. The road descends from the aforementioned spot to join the PR Canchal del Maqui and, after deviating to show us some spectacular views of the valley, will lead us to El Torno.

La Puria Ravine-A. Labradillo

El TornoRebollar

HIM

Rou

te P

rofil

es

At El Tor-no, the stones tell

us a simple yet valuable story dating back centuries.

Extremadura’s vernacular archi-tecture has a singular manifestation,

which is a rural construction that we find particularly represented in these spots (over 200): the hut. Vernacular constructions with dry stone arches,

“organic and live articulation of tra-ditions materialized into things”

(Eugenia Trías, 1998).P

R-C

C 8

1 2 2 3

m 700

800

900

1000

0 km 2 4 6 8 10 12

Pu

en

te A

lba

riza

s

Áre

a D

es

ca

ns

o

Ctr

a R

eb

oll

ar

Áre

a D

es

ca

ns

oL

ab

rad

illo C

ho

zos

Ch

ozo

s

Vis

tas

En

lac

e P

R-C

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En

lac

eS

L-C

C 3

0

Se

pa

rac

ión

P

R-C

C 7

El

To

rno

El

To

rno

PR-CC 8

54

Route: LinearStart: Cabezuela del ValleFinish: GargantillaLength: 8,82 milesEstimated time: 5h. 45 minutesDifficulty: MediumHeight difference 5: 0,61 ft Height difference 6: 0,52 ft

Las Juderías

HIM

Rou

te P

rofil

es

PR

-CC

10

1 2 2 3

m 500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

1500

0 km 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 15.09

Ca

be

zue

la d

el

Va

lle

Ga

rga

nti

lla

14.20

Pu

ert

o d

e H

on

du

ras

Ctr

a.

IRY

DA

Pu

en

te

Ga

rga

nta

ho

nd

a

PR-CC 10

The Las Ju-derías or Los Carbo-

neros route, which makes reference to the muleteer

road for charcoal, is a display of the union of three cultures—Ara-bic, Jewish and Christian—that openly coexisted in the zone 500 years ago, leaving us with a heri-

tage that includes the Jewish quarters of Hervás and

Cabezuela del Valle.

Its first section coincides with the SL-CC 22 (Convent Route) and the entire section with part of the GR10. We start in Cabezuela del Valle, next to the bridge, ascending along a road until we get a view of Valle de Honduras. We continue a little along the IRYDA track, which we leave to keep ascending alongside Honduras ravine, along a road with a steep slope. On a hairpin bend, we take a narrow trail on the left that, after Gargantahonda bridge, starts going uphill in the shade of large oak trees and sycamores as far as Honduras Port. Towards the Ambroz slope, it descends an old muleteer path that must be followed until the end. We arrive in Gargantilla by crossing a bridge over Buitreras ravine at the town’s entrance.

Cabezuela del Valle

55

NavaconcejoPiornal

Rou

te P

rofil

es

Route: LinearStart: NavaconcejoFinish: PiornalLength: 10 kmEstimated time: 3hDifficulty: Medium-lowHeight difference 5: 2,411 ftHeight difference 6: 115 ft

HIM

m 400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

0 km 2 4 6 8 10 10.06

Na

va

co

nc

ejo

Pio

rna

l

Cru

ce

N-1

10

Ca

sc

ad

aE

l C

ald

eró

n

PR-CC 15

PR

-CC

15

We leave from Navaconcejo sharing 1,640 ft of the GR 110, still on the left of the river, leaving the campsite bridge to the right, where we separate from the GR. We cross the N-110 to take an uphill road, some sections of which are concrete, that ascends as we separate from the bottom of the valley. We continue uphill until we take a trail that passes through a chestnut grove, before crossing the IRYDA track. We continue ascending along the road amid the last cherry tree estates before arriving at Bonal ravine, which we cross via the old Molinos bridge next to El Calderón waterfall. From here, all we have to do is follow the wide paved road of the Vine Way until its ends at the entrance to the locality of Prional, where this route ends.

Camino Real: Navaconcejo-Piornal

The Vine Way. This is the name

of a paved section just over a mile long that, since

the town came into being, was used to transport olives and chest-nuts, and descends to the estates, connecting with Navaconcejo and Cabezuela. At the end of this sec-tion, we find the Light Factory,

now the ruins of what was a small industry in the

1920s.

1 2 2 2

56

Route: CircularStart and Finish: BarradoLength: 10,74 milesEstimated time: 4h. 30 minutesDifficulty: LowHeight difference 5: 1,919 ftHeight difference 6: 1,919 ft

We leave Barrado via the old road that descends to the left of the motorway. We cross El Obispo ravine via a bridge and the trail immediately turns left to take a track that goes uphill, deep into the oak wood. The track leads us to the high zone of the San Bernabé sierra and then to La Solana Oak Tree, monumental tree of Extremadura. A few feet further, we take the track that goes downhill to the left, bringing us to a zone of pasture and meadows. Via tracks amid orchards and estates with cherry trees, olive trees and vines, we cross El Obispo ravine by bridge until we take a paved road on the left, the Cuesta Way, that goes uphill and leads us to the starting point of the route.

La Solana Oak Wood

Barrado

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The Valley, “Living Agriculture”.

The valley is “living agri-culture,” where the past and

nature are constantly linked with change and the future. Huge oak and chestnut tree woods appear mi-xed with cherry estates. The route shows us that this is an active field that is capable of offering fas-

cinating pictures of a living agriculture.

PR

-CC

18

1 2 2 3

m 500

600

700

800

900

0 km 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Ro

ble

de

la

So

lan

aGa

rga

nta

d

el

Ob

isp

o

Ga

rga

nta

d

el

Ob

isp

o

Ma

jad

a d

el

bu

lló

n

Ba

rra

do

Ba

rra

do

17.30

PR-CC 18

57

Casas del Castañar

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Route: CircularStart and Finish: Casas de CastañarLength: 6.5 milesEstimated time: 3hDifficulty: LowHeight difference 5: 1,289 ftHeight difference 6: 1,289 ft

HIM

m 550

650

750

850

0 km 2 4 6 8 10

Era

San

Bern

ab

é

Cru

ce a

la E

ra

Cru

ce a

la E

raCasas d

el C

asta

ñar

Casas d

el C

asta

ñar

10.50

PR-CC 24

PR

-CC

24

The route begins on the access motorway to Casa del Castañar, next to Arroyo park. We cross the locality to arrive at the start of the SL-CC 35 (Chestnut Tree Route) that shares these initial sections. We leave along an uphill concrete road and, after separating from the SL, the road runs almost flat until a fork on the right starts des-cending as far as a crossroads. One of the roads leads us back to the start and the other, on the left, as far as San Bernabé Era, with excellent views of the final section of the valley, reservoir and city of Plasencia. We return to the aforementioned crossroads and conti-nue, gently descending along the track, as far as the local motorway, next to the starting point of the trail.

San Bernabé Era

The Era de San Bernabé

gives its name to the surrounding landscape. In

summer, the meadow grass of the Valley’s mountains would be cut with scythes, collected and taken to the “Era” or threshing floor, which was a clean, flat rock outcropping where the wheat

and rye, etc. was threshed.

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58

Route: Linear (return)Start and Finish: TornavacasLength: 4.5 miles (one way)Estimated time: 4h. 45min.Difficulty: MediumHeight difference 5: 2,822 ftHeight difference 6: 2,822 ft

From the N-110 in Tornavacas, ascending along Piscina road and leaving the last houses along the concrete track, we ascend with views of Calvarrasa ravine. We cross the aforementioned ravine and, gently ascending, tour Las Longueras as far as Becedas ravine, which we cross via a bridge made of concrete tubes, to start a zigzagging, but comfortable ascent to the shade of the oak wood that leads us to a small plain known as LLanomínguez. This is the starting point of the mountain trail that, gently ascending, passes over Banquillo creek and arrives at Majada del Tejailo, where the shelter of the Carlist Guerrilla Santiago León can be found, which is the aim of the route. We return some 4.5 miles along the same road as far as Tornavacas.

Santiago León Cave

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Santiago León was Extremadura’s last Carlist

warrior. The civil wars of the 19th century led to an unusual flouris-

hing of guerrillas in the valley. The mountain with imposing elevations and deep depressions made for an ideal area for practicing banditry and guerrilla ac-tivities, enabling them to shelter in

deep thickets, natural caves, rocks and countless other mountain

shelters.

SL-C

C 1

3

2 2 2 3

m 800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

1500

0 km 2 4 6 7.77

Garg

. d

e C

alv

arr

asa

Garg

. d

e B

eced

as

To

rnavacas

7.30

Cu

eva S

an

tiag

o L

eó

n

Sen

da

SL-CC 13

Tornavacas

59

Valle del Jerte

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Route: LinearStart: N-110, km 392.3Finish: EX-203, km 6 Length: 5.6 milesEstimated time: 2h. 30min.Difficulty: LowHeight difference 5: 758 ftHeight difference 6: 535 ft

HIM

m 350

450

550

0 km 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Cru

ce C

ord

el

Navaceb

rera

Ctr

a. N

-110

Ctr

a. E

X-2

03

7.30

Cn

o. P

lasen

cia

-

Garg

üera

SL-CC 16

SL-C

C 1

6

The route starts where motorway N-110 crosses Vía Pecuaria, half a mile from the Regina restaurant, known by herdsmen as Venta Serafín. The route is obvious, since it is flanked by stone walls at all times. On several occasions, tracks or roads come or go from Vía Pecuaria heading to the surrounding estates, but it is impossible to get lost. 4.5 miles further on, the road is crossed by the old Plasencia to Gargüera road, along which the GR 111 (not recognised today) passes. The trail’s signposts end on arriving at motorway EX203, which links Plasencia with the La Vera district, though the ravine itself heads to Malpartida de Plasencia, Monfragüe and Trujillo.

Cordel del Valle to Cuadrilleros

The marks of seasonal migration.

This section of Vía Pecua-ria is one of the most visited by

seasonal migrants, especially by herdsmen from Ávila who lead their

bull herds from the Gredos mountains to the gallery forest of El Tajo through the southern sierra of Tormantos,

specifically of San Bernabé, which is low, but has a particularly

well-conserved Medite-rranean hold-oak

wood.

1 1 2 2

60

Route: CircularStart: Cabezuela del ValleFinish: GargantillaLength: 8,82 milesEstimated time: 5 h. 45min.Difficulty: LowHeight difference 5: 0,61 ftHeight difference 6: 0,52 ft

This route starts by sharing a section with the GR 10 and the PR-CC 10, leaving from motorway N-110 near Cabezuela del Valle bridge. The trail flows along a road with a steep slope (old bridle path, now concrete), an old muleteer route to Valle del Ambroz, ascending to the zone called Rozo del Río and Alto de San Salvador. Here, we take a trail (Cuesta de los Prados road) and separate from the GF and PR, descending narrow spaces amid estates as far as La Luz ravine, which we follow in parallel (along a paved track) until it opens up into the river Jerte, passing through the entrance of Casas del Convento, which gives the route its name. We take the concrete road upstream as far as the starting point.

Convent Route

Cabezuela del Valle

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The reli-gious landscape. We

can assume that since time immemorial, there have

been groups of ascetics living in isolated places in the valley. Given

the attraction of these corners, Las Josefinas Convent was built in the mid-20th century with a balcony

over Honduras ravine, amid screes and huge stones that

are now home to modern athletic climbing

routes.

SL-C

C 2

2

1 1 2 2

m 475

575

0 km 1 2 3 4

Se

pa

rac

ión

G

R 1

0

Un

ión

GR

11

0

Ca

be

zu

ela

de

l V

all

e

Ca

be

zu

ela

de

l V

all

e

Ca

sa

de

l C

on

ve

ntoSL-CC 22

61

Rebollar

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Route: CircularStart and Finish: RebollarLength: 3.9 milesEstimated time: 1 h. 45 minutesDifficulty: LowHeight difference 5: 869 ftHeight difference 6: 869 ft

HIM

m 450

550

650

0 km 1 2 3 4 5 6

Mere

nd

ero

Reb

ollar

Deja

mo

s C

tra.

Reb

ollar

Cru

ce C

V-1

33

6.30

SL-CC 28

SL-C

C 2

8

The route starts at the end of the town, along the motorway heading to the locality of El Torno. Some 2,262 ft further, we take a track on the left with concrete sections that descend amid oak trees. Ignoring the deviations that come up, we go downhill amid cherry tree plantations until we get to a crossroads with a paved track. From here, we head right and within 984 ft arrive at a picnic area next to the ravine, from which this route takes its name. We descend along this last section and continue along the track until we leave the local motorway (CV-133) that ascends from the N-110 to Rebollar. A few feet further, we take a track on the left that has a steep slope and heads towards the entrance to Rebollar, where the route ends.

La Puria Ravine

Rebollar: its name co-mes from “rebollo” or “small

oak mount.” It is located on a hillside of Montes Traslasierra, with

a mountain urban area of narrow step alleys. The town is like a living museum of Jerte vernacular architecture, where eaves and balconies almost touch and some of its houses, like the Casas del

Canchal, rise over imposing granite mouldings, as if suspended in

the air.

1 1 1 2

62

Route: CircularStart and Finish: TornavacasLength: 2.6 milesEstimated time: 1h. 15min.Difficulty: LowHeight difference 5: 545 ftHeight difference 6: 545 ft

From the high part of Tornavacas, next to Fuente de Santa Ana, we leave along a road that quickly ascends above the town, until it becomes a passage between stone walls, alternating a concrete with a dirt surface. We cross an oak wood and, after a fork, start descending amid cherry trees towards San Martín ravine along a narrow bridle path and crossing the ravine twice. After a short ascent, we come to a new crossroads on the right and 164 ft further we can see the ruins of the Santa María Hermitage. From the aforementioned point, we must descend along the track that brings us near the town, leaving the bridge over the river Jerte to the right, and now continuing uphill and straight ahead until we reach the starting point.

Santa Maria Hermitage

Tornavacas

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The language of sto-nes. The valley’s history

has been written and shown on the stones of its façades since

the Middle Ages. On this route, we will find historical urbanistic symbols and elements that will remind us of its primitive inhabitants. Those interes-ted in learning about the language

of the stones are recommended a peaceful route through the

streets of the town.

SL-C

C 2

9

1 2 2 1

m 830

930

0 km 1 2 3 4 4.20

To

rnavacas

Garg

an

ta

San

Mart

ín

Erm

ita

Sta

. M

arí

a

Pte

. R

ío J

ert

e

To

rnavacasSL-CC 29

63

El Torno

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Route: CircularStart and Finish: El TornoLength: 2 milesEstimated time: 1h. Difficulty: LowHeight difference 5: 449 ftHeight difference 6: 449 ft

HIM

m 750

850

0 km 1 2 3 3.34

Arr

oyo

Ho

ya

de las C

an

ale

s

El To

rno

El To

rnoA

nte

nas

Pis

cin

a N

atu

ral

3.20

SL-CC 30

SL-C

C 3

0

The trail starts from the high part of the locality, in the zone known as Fuente Regajo and sharing the starting point with the PR-CC 7 (Canchal de Maqui). Following the narrow trail between stone walls, we pass La Hoya de las Canales creek and, ascending amid oak trees, come to a wide road that gently descends, approaching the visible telephone antennae that dominate El Torno. After passing over them, we take a descending trail on the left in search of the aforementioned creek. We reach it and cross it next to a natural pool and the ruins of a windmill. Continuing along the road, we come to the first houses of El Torno, pass through the square, past the church, and approach the starting point.

Fuente Regajo

The El Tor-no sierra is rich in

examples of vernacular constructions, including sto-

ne huts, shelters, pens, enclo-sures, etc., all of which have the

common characteristic of being built using the “dry stone” techni-que. This old way of life catches our attention as an antidote to

the march of new production techniques.

1 2 2 1

64

Route: CircularStart and Finish: ValdastillasLength: 4.3 milesEstimated time: 2h. 15min.Difficulty: LowHeight difference 5: 869 ftHeight difference 6: 869 ft

We start the trail on the narrow motorway from the Cooperative Association. Some 1,640 ft after passing this route’s return road and a bridge over Bonal ravine, we take a concrete road on the right, starting an ascent amid olive and cherry tree orchards as far as the IRYDA motorway that we follow to the right as far as Bonal ravine, at the very foot of the spectacular Caozo waterfall. On the way back to the motorway, we continue some 2,623 ft as far as the crossroads with the local motorway that ascends to Piornal. There, we immediately turn onto the first road on the right that ends up becoming a narrow trail that enters the oak wood to take us to the vicinity of Valdastillas and its natural pool, very near the starting point.

Caozo Waterfall

Valdastillas

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V a l d a s t i -llas, whose name

means valley of kindling or firewood, would be the place

where Ojalva inhabitants would come to collect firewood for their

homes. It was founded by inhabitants of the now abandoned town of Ojalva, a Medieval village located next to the river Jerte that was divided into two small population centres half way up the hillside, one on the north-fa-

cing slope (Valdastillas) and the other on the south-facing

slope (Rebollar).

SL-C

C 3

2

1 2 2 2

m 750

850

0 km 1 2 3 3.34

Arr

oy

o H

oy

ad

e l

as

Ca

na

les

El

To

rno

El

To

rnoA

nte

na

s

Pis

cin

a N

atu

ral

3.20

SL-CC 30

65

Navaconcejo

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Route: CircularStart and Finish: NavaconcejoLength: 3 milesEstimated time: 2h. Difficulty: MediumHeight difference 5: 1,083 ftHeight difference 6: 1,083 ft

HIM

m 575

675

775

0 km 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Ctr

a.

IRY

DA

Ctr

a.

de

Pio

rna

l

Pis

cin

a N

atu

ral

Va

lda

sti

lla

s

Va

lda

sti

lla

s

Pte

. C

as

ca

da

Ca

ozo

SL-CC 32

SL-C

C 3

3

We start the trail at the mouth of Las Nogaleas in the river Jerte in Navadoncejo. We start ascending along a concrete road parallel to the ravine and a few feet further on separate along a trail to the left that takes us near the actual course of the river. The steepness of the land means it is impossible to get lost and the bold and demanding trail climbs in a continuous zigzag next to the torrent, crossing a neighbouring motorway on its ascent. In the high part, there is a waterfall that is one of the most spectacular in the valley. From there and after another brief ascent, we take the downhill road that comfortably leads us to the starting point. The effort required by this trail is compensated by the numerous waterfalls and beautiful spots it hides.

Nogaleas Ravine

As the wa-ter burbles along, its

constant presence in the district becomes a characte-

ristic feature of its natural envi-ronment. The murmur of the water

is noticed in any corner of Jerte, at times forming spectacular waterfalls or short streams. The numerous water courses enliven the valley’s

fields and guarantee the survival of the abundant natural life

of its banks.

1 2 3 2

66

Route: Linear (return)Start and Finish: JerteLength: 2.9 milesEstimated time: 1h. 30min.Difficulty: LowHeight difference 5: 722 ftHeight difference 6: 722 ft

We start in the locality of Jerte, next to the tourist information booth, ascending along La Tahona street until we pass the final houses and turn right, passing along the left hand edge of Los Papúos ravine. Continuously ascending, we leave the water deposit on the right and approach the water course of the ravine without leaving the path, and go uphill under black poplars and sycamores and, a little later, next to the oak wood and an estate with cherry trees, higher up. A short section of trail that leaves to the left of the road so as not to separate from the ravine leaves us next to Los Papúos bridge, where the trail ends. The return to the starting point is done on the same road.

Los Papúos Bridge

Jerte

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The Los Pa-púos way is the start

of the uphill route to the permanent snow caps of the

sierra in the vicinity of Torreón, where the precious product that is

snow is stored and used to conserve foods in summer and drinks and ice creams at patron saint festivals,

and to make the popular tivitalve by mixing it with wine or fruit

juice.

SL-C

C 3

4

1 2 2 2

m 600

700

800

0 km 1 2 3 4 4.65

Je

rte

Je

rte

4.60

Cru

ce

Ga

rga

nta

Cru

ce

Ga

rga

nta

Pu

en

te L

os

Pa

pú

os

De

pó

sit

o

De

pó

sit

o

SL-CC 34

67

Casas del Castañar

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Route: CircularStart and Finish: Casas del CastañarLength: 2.8 miles Estimated time: 1h 30 minutes Difficulty: LowHeight difference 5: 820 ftHeight difference 6: 820 ft

HIM

m 675

775

875

0 km 1 2 3 4 4.554.50

Ca

sa

s d

el

Ca

sta

ña

r

Ca

sa

s d

el

Ca

sta

ña

r

Bif

urc

ac

ión

PR

-CC

24

Bif

urc

ac

ión

PR

-CC

24

Ca

sta

ño

de

C

on

de

lob

os

Ca

sta

ño

s

Ca

sta

ño

Fte

.E

sc

ob

an

ch

as

SL-CC 35

SL-C

C 3

5

From the highest zone of Casa del Castañar, the trail begins along a street that becomes a concrete road that ascends amid estates. It separates from the PR-CC 254 to enter the chestnut tree zone, where we can see the first centuries-old chestnut tree in Condelobos. We continue ascending and pass through other spectacular but anonymous chestnut trees, until we arrive at a road amid oak trees and a forest clearing, where, already descending, we will leave the road at a themed panel for a narrow trail to the right next to the chestnut trees of Fuente de las Escobachas. A few feet further, we take another downhill road that leads us near to the town, already in a cherry tree zone as far as the first houses of Casas del Castañar, where the route ends.

Los Castaños

Centuries-old witnesses. Along with

the oak tree, the chestnut tree has dominated these moun-

tains since time immemorial. In the 16th century, the doctor and writer Luis

de Toro would talk of the “infinite and numerous chestnut wood.” Diseases (ink disease) and the one-crop cultivation of the cherry brought an end to that abun-dance, of which there are very few

examples today, but those that survived are spectacular and

have been declared mo-numental trees.

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69

Alta

Mon

taña

High Mountain AreaThe high summits of Valle del Jerte are the natural prolongation of the Central System in north east Extremadura. Thanks to their inaccessibility, they proudly conserve their wild nature, with human activity barely perceptible.

Hig

h M

ount

ain

Area

70

Valle del Jerte’s high summits are the natural prolongation of the Central System in north-east Extremadura. Thanks to their inaccessibility, they boast a well-preserved wild nature with human activity barely perceptible. 7,877 feet is the figure that marks the ceiling of Extremadura, the maximum regional altitude. This summit has several names, the correct one being El Torreón, but one most often used on maps is Calvitera Peak, the meeting point of Cáceres, Salamanca and Ávila. It is located north east of Tornavacas Port and is accessed via the Rebeco Route. On the other side of the port stands another giant of a similar size. At just a few feet lower, La Covacha Peak stands at 7,871 feet and is Extremadura’s second summit. It is accessed via another high mountain route, the High Extremadura Way.

The hill ranges, Traslasierra to the north and Tormantos to the south, progressively descend from the two large vantage points that crown the valley. The first is home to the Valdeamor (6,070 ft), El Camocho (5,988 ft) and Las Calamochas (4,888 ft) summits. On the Tormantos side, the La Panera (6,070 ft), Peña Negra (4,757 ft), Cerro Bullón (3,609 ft) and Villavieja (2,986 ft) peaks stand symmetrically.

As well as on foot, the high mountain landscape can also be ascended via Honduras Port, the motorway with the highest altitude in the district, and also via the Piornal Port motorway that brings us closer to the mountain landscape from where a paths starts, which is paved at first, and leads to the Piornal reservoir very near Peña Negra. Describing these summits is easy: snow and ice for most of the year. They are freed from their white blanket only in summer, allowing their rocky nature to be discovered. It is the “heart of live tock” that was mentioned by the writer Unamuno.

High Mountain Routes

71

From Tornavacas we ascend along El Chorrillo road, crossing the N-110 and continuing along Don Pedro creek and Llano de la Fuente. We leave the track and, along a dirt road, go up the steep slope amid oak trees that get scarcer the higher we climb. We leave to the right a meadow with animals grazing to enter the Campana pasture, climbing the main track and arriving at the peak of the same name that is skirted by the Ávila slope to descend to an extensive mountain pass. We go up the wide ridge that ends at El Turmal and descend as far as Portilla de Talamanca. We undertake the most delicate passage of the route by changing slope to seek out the best itinerary. Then we arrive at the level of the Calvitera track. Continuing south, we head towards El Torreón, defended by the Tranco del Diablo passage that is easily passed via the Tornavacas slope thanks to an installed chain. We start our descent to Tornavacas, heading east along Las Laguinillas as far as Santiago León Cave, where we take the signposted trail that leaves us in Tornavacas.

Tornavacas

Tornavacas – Calvitero / Torreón – Tornavacas

Technical SpecificationsItinerary: Tornavacas (2,946 ft)

- La Campana Cliff (6,860 ft) - Canchal del Turmel (7,595 ft) - Portilla Talamanca (7,441 ft) – Calvitero/Torreón (7,877 ft)

- Santiago León Cave (4,865 ft) - Tornavacas (2,946 ft).

Approximate time: 10 hours.Length: 16.2 miles

Height difference: 5 5,577 ft / 6 5,577 ftRoute: Circular

El R

ebec

o

The name of this route honours

one of the most outstan-ding climbers there has ever

been in Extremadura, a native of Tornavacas and one of the most promising national mou-ntaineers of the time. We are

talking about José Ángel Lu-cas, who died in the Alps

in the early 1970s.

72

This route, as its names indicates, passes through Extremadura’s highest altitude crests. Starting at Tornavacas Port, Valle del Jerte and ending in the city of Guijo de Santa Bárbara, Valle de la Vera. Most of the route goes through the lands of Castilla León and Extremadura.

The route starts along a comfortable dirt track that gets hard, since it ascends the steep slope of the Cuesta de Sillares on a monotonous uphill trail amid cytisus until we come to a stone wall that is the dividing line with Ávila, which we will follow as far as Mojón Alto, with its view of El Barco cirque, its lake at the bottom and rock face of La Covacha in front. We will ascend to Castilfrío to walk along the crest of the La Angostura cirque. We reach El Estecillo via the narrow line of the Cuerda Mala. From there, we take the track heading south via Barrerón del Escobalejo as far as the Our Lady of Las Nieves Shelter-Chapel and from here descend as far as Guijo de Santa Bárbara.

Tornavacas

Tornavacas Port - Guijo de Santa Bárbara

Technical Specifications:

Itinerary: Tornavacas Port (4,183 ft) - Collado Herido (4,875 ft) - Collado del Carbiel (6,437 ft) - Mojón Alto (7,100 ft) - Castilfrío (7,625 ft) – Las Azagayas - Cordal de Cuerda Mala - Estecillo (7,513 ft) - Barrerón del Escobalejo - Our Lady of Las Nieves Shelter-Chapel (4,948 ft) - Guijo de Santa Bárbara.

Approximate time: 9 hours.Length: 14.3 milesHeight difference: 5 4,167 ft / 6 4,593 ftRoute: Linear

Hig

h Ex

trem

adur

a W

ay

73

Starting in Piornal, this route tours the Prional high plateau by initially following the La Serrana Route. Along the reservoir track we ascend up to Peña Negra Peak, leaving it to the left to walk along the wide line dividing El Jerte from La Vera. Amid mountain grass and mat-grass, we reach La Panera Peak to start the des-cent to Las Yegüas Port via El Canchal Negro. From the port we continue to Jerte along the Carlos V Route. Once we have passed Nuevo or Carlos V bridge, we go up as far as El Collado de las Losas. From here a quick descent along the Jarandilla road leave us next to Largo bridge in Jerte.

Piornal - Jerte

Piornal – Jerte


Itinerary: Piornal – Peñanegra (4,505 ft) – La Panera (6,070 ft) - Collado de las Yeguas (4,839 ft) – El Hornillo Bridge - Nuevo or Carlos V Bridge - Collado de las Losas – Puente Largo – Jerte.

Approximate time: 10.5 hours.Length: 18.7 milesHeight difference: 5 2,625 ft / 6 4,921 ftRoute: Linear

Torm

anto

s Si

erra

74

La Covacha Peak is the highest summit in the western section of the Gredos sierra. It is situated at the head of the impressive cique of Barco Lake. The proposed route passes entirely through the dividing line between the provinces of Ávila and Cáceres, its first part coinciding with what was described beforehand for the High Extremadura Way. On arriving at Las Azagayas, we head east along the narrow crest that forms the main dividing line, seeking the best passage for both slopes until we end at La Covacha Peak (7,871 ft).

Tornavacas

Tornavacas Port - La Covacha - Tornavacas Port


Itinerary: Tornavacas Port (4,183 ft) - Collado Herido (4,875 ft) - Co-llado del Carbiel (4,437 ft) – Mojón Alto (7,100 ft) - Castilfrío (7,625 ft) – Las Azagayas – La Azagaya (7,766 ft) - La Covacha (7,858 ft) – Return.

Approximate time: 8.5 hours.Length: 15 milesHeight difference: 5 4,265 ft / 6 4,265 ftRoute: Linear, return

Asc

ent t

o La

Cov

acha

75

Rut

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Mountain Biking CentreSix routes designed for mountain biking with 99 miles of marked trails of different grades of difficulty, that enable you to get to know Valle del Jerte in detail by getting close to many of the district’s corners.

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Practical Information

Interpreting the signs

Valle del JerteMountain Biking Centre

The Valle del Jerte Mountain Biking Centre consists of six routes designed to be toured on a mountain or all terrain bicycle. There are 98 miles of marked trails of different grades of difficulty, that enable you to get to know Valle del Jerte in detail by getting close to many of the district’s corners, and also allow you to use the mountain biking centre’s routes to move around between different towns of Valle del Jerte.

The Mountain Biking Center is approved by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), therefore, it fulfills the minimum requirements in terms of marking and signposting the routes.

Recommendations:1- Before leaving, check the state of your bicycle and find out about the time and route. 2- Adapt the route to your physical abilities; don’t underestimate the mountain. 3- Don’t forget to bring water, repair kit and telephone.4- Always wear a helmet. You don’t know where you might fall. 5- Respect gates and close them once you have gone through them.6- Respect pedestrians’ right-of-way and general cycling rules. 7- Respect the routes’ signposts and cycling direction.8- Respect the environment, the local population and animals. 9- Enjoy nature without noise and at a leisurely pace.10- If you notice anything missing, call tel: 927 471 100.11- The Valle Del Jerte Mountain Biking Centre will not be responsible for the misuse of circuits, or any negligence committed by users.

DIRECTION SIGN. This indicates the direction to follow and the number of the route or routes, in the colour indicating the level of each one’s difficulty. These signs can be found on vertical posts, walls or street furniture.

EASY MEDIUM DIFFICULT VERY DIFFICULT

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The route tours the valley and serves as an axis to connect with other routes of the mountain biking centre.

We begin the route next to Fuente Santa Ana in the high part of Tornavacas. Sharing a section with the GR 10, we follow it as far as Cabezuela del Valle, passing through the locality of Jerte and the entrance to the Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve. In Cabezuela, we leave the GR 10 and continue along the GR 110, arriving at Navaconcejo. We advance parallel to the river and, through fertile plain zones, cross the Rebollar motorway where, now near El Cordel and parallel to the N-110, we continue our descent. We skirt around the bathing area and after a steep slope reach a track that we will follow as far as a deviation along a trail to our left that takes us as far as El Torno bridge, which is the end of our route alongside river Jerte.

CircularMedium 21.1 miles3 h. 30 minutes1,230 ft. 18% 25%

1.2 miles. 6%4.7 miles. 22%14 miles. 66%100%

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TornavacasJerte

Cabezuela del ValleNavaconcejo

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0 km 6 12 18 24 30 34.25

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Ruta 1 BTT

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This is one of the Mountain Biking Centre’s most beautiful routes with long ascents and impressive views, as well as a technical descent section in its final part.

We share the start with Route 1, then separate to start the ascent along some concrete ramps. After crossing San Martín ravine we will keep ascending along tracks as far as the entrance to Garganta de los Infiernos National Reserve. Ahead, we have a dirt track around 6.2 miles long, which continuously ascends through spectacular landscapes until it reaches the end of the hill, where we begin a vertiginous technical descent along a track amid chestnut trees as far as Collado de las Losas in the direction of Tornavacas, and following the PR-CC 1 which coincides a little with Route 1 in the opposite direction, until we reach the starting point of this route.

Pinos de Tornavacas

Ruta 2 BTT

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CircularDifficult 16.5 miles3 h. 30 minutes3,182 ft. (uphill)20% 25%

18 km. 68%2.2 miles. 13%3.1 miles. 19%100%

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Tornavacas

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CircularMédia 13,70 miles1 h. 30 minutes310,68. 30% 528% 6

5,00 km. 36%6,70 km. 49%2,00 km. 15%100%

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Ruta 3 BTT

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The route starts at El Nogalón park in Jerte, next to the natural pool of the same name. Crossing the river Jerte, along the Las Vegas road (R-1) we come to the Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve Interpretive Centre. From here we ascend along a track as far as Collado de las Losas, with the option half way up of deviating for just over one mile along the R-4 to visit Los Pilones, one of the most famous places in the entire valley. Returning to the track and having arrived at Collado de las Losas, we take the road on the left, starting a technical descent along the PR-CC 1 (R-2), a pretty trail amid chestnut trees. At km 10, we leave the R-2 to the right and continue the descent along a forest track to reach Cordel del Valle (R-1) and return to Jerte.

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We begin the tour in Cabezuela del Valle, next to the bridge over the river, by crossing the locality in order to leave along calle San Felipe road, leaving the Santiago Hermitage on the left and continuing along a forest track in the direction of the Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve, along the north-facing route. After a few tough ascents, we arrive at the access to the reserve and starting descending amid oak trees as far as the spot known as Los Pilones. There we need to carry our bicycles for a section, but the beauty of the landscape makes it well worth it. We cross the bridge and take the direction of the Interpretive Centre. From here, coinciding with the R-1, we return to the starting point.This route has a short cut at 2.5 km, making it a route of around 3.4 miles, which is ideal for doing as a family.u

CircularDifficult 8.3 miles1 h. 30 minutes1,476 ft (uphill)23% 526% 6

0,62 miles. 7%2,73 miles. 33%4,34 miles. 53%0,62 miles. 7%90%

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Umbría de Cabezuela

Montes TraslasierraO roteiro começa em Navaconcejo, ao lado do parque infantil que existe nas margens do Rio Jerte, próximo à área de bares. A partir daqui, voltamos à povoação pelo passeio do Rio, atravessaremos a ponte e continuaremos rio acima até à ponte de Las Monjas. Começaremos uma longa subida de cerca de 15 km., no início por estrada asfaltada e, em seguida, por estrada de terra batida. Uma vez no topo, vamos iniciar a descida passando pela área conhecida como las Vaquerizas, até chegar a El Torno, de onde seguiremos por uma via cimentada de forte inclinação que desce pelo pasto bovino. Continuando por uma via em direcção ao Nordeste chegamos à estrada de Rebollar. A partir daqui, sempre em direcção ao Nordeste, iremos rodar por estradas confortáveis até Navaconcejo, partilhando em alguns trechos o R-1 em sentido contrário.

CircularVery difficult28,02 miles4 h. 30 minutes975,55 miles (uphill)34% 528% 6

0,62 km. 2%9,94 miles. 36%16,83 miles. 60%0,62 miles. 2%98%

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Ruta 5 BTT

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Casas del CastañarPiornal

ValdastillasCabrero

Tormantos Sierra

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From Casas del Castañar we ascend to El Rabanillo Port along the old motorway. Once there, we descend half a mile along the motorway to take an uphill track that will lead us to Piornal. This is where our efforts will be rewarded with a descent of 1,640 ft that drops to Valdastillas along Camino Real road, passing over Los Molinos bridge at the foot of El Calderón waterfall. We keep descending as far as the IRYDA motorway that we take to the left for just over one mile, crossing Bonal ravine at the point known as Caozo Waterfall. On arriving at the motorway crossroads, we take a diversion to the right along a road as far as Valdastillas, passing its natural pool. We cross the locality and leave via a concrete track that, amid cherry tree fields, leads us to Cabrero and Casas del Castañar.

Circulardifficult 14,91 miles3 h. 30 minutes528,16 ft (uphill)22% 527% 6

2,79 miles. 19%4,34 miles. 32%4,66 miles. 32%2,79 miles. 19%99%

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Published by: Society for the Promotion and Development of Valle del Jerte - May 2015.

Design and Graphic Production: Entorno Rural Comunicación S.L.U.

Texts: Soprodevaje / Domingo Fernández Jaraíz / Antonio Aparicio.

Cartography: Domingo Fernández Jaraíz.

Photos: Soprodevaje / Ángel Vicente Simón / Domingo Fernández Jaraíz / Chelo S. Bardón / Antonio Aparicio.

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ACTIVE TOURISM RESOURCES GUIDE

DISTRICT TOURIST OFFICE Paraje de Peñas Albas s/n10610 Cabezuela del Valle. CáceresTel.: 927 47 25 58turismo@mancomunidadvalledeljerte.comwww.turismovalledeljerte.com

SOPRODEVAJECtra. N-110 Km. 381-10613 Navaconcejo (Cáceres)Tel.: 927 47 11 00 www.valledeljerte.nethttp://soprodevaje.blogspot.com.es/

TUJERTE (Valle del Jerte Tourism Association)www. vallecereza.comhttp://vcereza.blogspot.com.es/.

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