WALKS AROUND LA SIERRA DE LOS LAGARES
Not only does the Sierra de los Lagares provide an excellent rural tourism base to explore Extremadura, but the hills themselves offer attractive walks, taking one through a variety of habitats and affording some superb views across the province of Cáceres and beyond. The three walks in this guide are all relatively easy, between four to seven kilometres in length, along small country lanes and grassy tracks (Map overleaf) Walk A: Circuit of the Los Lagares (Length 6 km, duration between two to three hours) Apart from short steep ascent and descent over the saddle between Loma La Negra and Cerro Gurugu, this is a generally level walk, following the contour around the northern spur of the Sierra de los Lagares. The best direction to take clockwise, walking west from La Higuera bar for about half a kilometre with the village to one’s right, until one reaches a junction. Take the left turn, following the dirt road past an old, derelict olive oil mill, before taking the right hand fork beside the entrance to the Lagar La Merced. One climbs with olive groves on each side of the track until reaching the pass (just after the entrance to Las Mimosas). The view eastwards to the distinctive peak of Santa Cruz and beyond is spectacular. From here one descends, passing Buenavista on the left and taking the right turning at the junction at El Zorzal. From here the lane heads northwards on the eastern side of the hill, through the edge of dehesa with evergreen oak. As one swings round to the northern slope, the landscape is more open, with fine views across to Trujillo and on a clear day to the Gredos mountains. After passing the Hotel Rural Viña Las Torres, take a right turn the fork, which takes one past the church and back to the village. Walk B: Barrio de la Redondilla (Length: 4.5 km, duration about one hour) This shorter walk takes one from the vale up to a ridge and then again to the village. One initially follows the same route as Walk A, but just before the ascent towards the pass at las Mimosas, one takes a left turn up at track beside the gateway for La Encina. There is a line of pine trees just before this junction. One makes an ascent on a grassy track, with olive groves on either side. At the top of the ridge there is an excellent view across to the facing slopes of the southern part of the Sierras. The track improves along the ridge top as one heads eastwards, Eventually the track curves sharply left and descends steeply back to the village. Walk C: The peak of Los Lagares (Length 7km, duration between two and three hours) This walk is on a grassy track for most of its length and climbs to the highest point in the Sierra de los Lagares (791 metres above sea-level). From La Higuera bar, one takes the road from the village towards the main road. Before one reaches the main road, there is a right turn sign-posted Centro de Espiritualidad (a religious retreat). Take this turning, passing the entrance to the retreat and continue along the track, passing the entrance of Lagar de la Paz. Here the track opens up, one veers south, past the entrance of Lagar El Estudiante, and then entering the Finca Santa Marta. Guests at Finca Santa Marta can walk through the property, taking a track through the almond orchards, vineyards and olive groves to the clump of pines at the top of the property. Otherwise, continue along the lane, turning right at the t-junction (there is a large vineyard opposite). One walks past the winery of Las Granadas, following the lane, past the entrance La Micaela, until a wooden signpost indicates the start of a grassy path on the right. Walk up the grassy track and one passes the group of pines at the top of Finca Santa Marta. Those coming from the Finca will use a stile over the stone wall. The path ascends in a south-westerly bearing. One passes old ruined dwellings on the left hand side, with wonderful views in all directions. The path ends at a ruin with a clump of pines. This is the highest point of the Sierra and one can wander around this area of old olives, cistus and lavender. One will find evidence of wild boar rooting in the ground in this area. Descending on the same path gives one the opportunity to admire the views eastwards across the mountains behind Madroñera and Herguijuela. Do take care when walking on the land near the ruins, as there may be unmarked wells.
Martin Kelsey 2007
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