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Hiking and Cycling in Extremadura

A region as large as Switzerland is a suitable place for hiking and cycling. Nature-lovers do not have to drive far in order to reach the green area and will not be bothered by heavy traffic. For sure they will be spoilt for choice: Extremadura has indeed so many different hiking and cycling trails that it will be difficult to opt for one.

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The hiking trail par excellence in Extremadura is the Via de la Plata, the southern St. James Way, also called silver way. It stretches across the region from the south to the north and through the towns Zafra, Merida, Caceres and Baños de Montemayor. A large part of the Via de la Plata ranges along the ancient Roman trade route and at many sections even on it. The southern St. James Way is excellently signposted. Alongside this road there are dozens of small, welcoming pubs and bodegas for stopping and resting. The descriptions of the trail sections in plenty of hiking guides are so good that you will not need to inform yourself in advance of starting the journey. The pilgrimage way is recommended not only to experienced hikers, but also to tourists who want to travel by foot one day or one weekend. On the way you will meet people from all over the world who are walking to the Basilica of Santiago de Compostela. Many pilgrims love telling about the walk and their experiences.

Anyone interested in the richness of species in Extremadura will do better to participate in a guided tour within the national park of Monfragüe. Daily tours through the forests of the park and to ornithology stations are organised in Villarreal de San Carlos.

One of the most beautiful regions for hiking and cycling are the valleys in northern Extremadura. It is now possible to book guided tours with British travel agencies. Tourists can also easily rent bicycles in the region and get maps on the spot. A varying trail section leads from the small village Jerte to the cherry valley that offers a breathtaking spectacle at its hillsides, especially when the flower is in full bloom in March and April. After a while there is the nearby Valle del Jerte, through which the Garganta de los Infernos flows. The way goes through a great deal of old oak trees, between which ferns, heathers and lavender are growing. Lizards and psammodromus rest on tree branches. The more you approach the mountain runnel, the more dippers you see flying through the air. It is also possible to behold the shy and rare grey wagtails there. You leave the course of the Garganta de los Infiernos only at the end of the six hour hike, ending in Jerte.

There are likewise cycling trails leading through the Jerte valley and the neighbouring valleys Ambroz and Vera. Anyone who is travelling by mountain bike and is fit enough can cross the three valleys from the west to the east. A winding road leads uphill from the first valley, Valle de Ambroz, to the small village Cabazebellosa at an altitude of roughly 1,000 metres. Cyclists go up to 1,270 metres in Garganta la Olla, which is situated on a hill between the Ambroz and the cherry valley. From there on, an asphalt road passes the monastery of Yuste to the most easterly of the three valleys: the Vera valley. Anyone who continues the way for a few kilometres will reach the river Tietar, where he can cool his feet. A popular destination for cyclists is also the artificial lake Gabriel y Galan, west of Plasencia, to which a nearly car-free road leads via Granadilla and Zarza de Granadilla along the Rio Alagon. The Cornalvo nature park east of Merida is also to be recommended to mountain bikers and hikers. The advantage of Cornalvo consists in the fact that it is only 10 kilometres away from the capital, and can therefore easily be got to by bicycle. Guided tours are organised to and within the nature park. The Cornalvo has diversified offers and different kinds of trail, from hiking ways to asphalted roads. Cyclists and hikers can inform themselves of the tours in the information centre of Trujillanos, located at the edge of the park. Mountain bikers also like to go through the Tierra Barros, which is located south of Merida. Cyclists can ride through the area as well as climb the 800 metre high Feria, near Villafranca de los Barros. Anyone who wants to visit the Dehesa and behold the Savannah countryside typical of Extremadura can drive in all four directions, because Extremadura is covered with oak trees everywhere. It is also possible to easily reach Sierra de San Pedros in the west, and the Sierra de Guadelupe in the east of Extremadura from Merida and Caceres. Small secondary roads with less traffic lead through both forest areas. The old A-road EX-214 proceeds westwards from Aljucen to Alburquerque through the beautiful and undulating Sierra de San Pedro. Climbers will particularly be fond of the Sierra de Guadalupe. Many cycling ways can be ridden on around the monastery of Guadalupe, which provide enough ascents and descents in a beautiful old forest area. An isolated asphalted road, beside which hundreds of storks and holly oaks are nesting, connects Logrosan and Madrigalejo in the vicinity of the monastery of Guadalupe. Before such a spectacle, even the most athletic cyclist and the most zealous hiker will stop and be impressed by the nature and its residents.

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Things to do before you travel to Spain
Extremadura’s Highlights| Art, Culture and popular Feats | Need a little bit Nature' | Extremadura’s Past | Extremadura, a country of savourers
A gift from the Gods The ancient Roman world in Extremadura | DThe vultures of Salto del Gitano. Natural and National Parks in Extremadura | Slowing down one’s Life The Felicity of Pilgrimage on the Silver Way through Extremadura | Guadiana’s good Wines Extremadura’s Wines and Gastronomy | What happens in Merida and Caceres, stays in Merida and Caceres Feasts and Festivals in Extremadura | Speaking like an Extremenian Spanish Courses in Extremadura | Putting near an Oak Tree Golf Courses and Wellness Offers in Extremadura | Over Hill and Dale. Hiking and Cycling in Extremadura | Flying through the air Ornithology in Extremadura | On the Fishing Path Angling in Extremadura | Canoeing in the town Rivers, Extremadura’s living arms | Palaces and pilgrim hostels Accommodation facilities in Extremadura | Farmers and Saints Religious tradition in Extremadura | Pork deluxe. The Iberian Pork of Extremadura | Do you know a better place to visit' Caceres has applied to be Europe’s Capital of Culture. | More than a word Sustainability and sustainable policy in Extremadura | The same sun is shining over all of us The odd fate of the small village Granadilla | They just call it “the line” Historical facts about the borderland between Spain and Portugal | Wandering through the Passage of Life The last Way of Emperor Charles V | The true life of the sword bearers Orders of knights in Extremadura | Jewish heritage must be preserved: Spanish Inquisition and its impact in Extremadura | The right behaviour in time of crisis. Learning from the Tartessos of Cancho Roano | Blossomy Treasures. Orchids in Extremadura. | The Wonder of Almendralejo Travelling Extremadura along the “wine trail” | Still moving Cheese and Sheep from Extremadura | Facing the enemies Castle complexes in Extremadura | The Holy Place of GuadalupeThe Monastery of Guadalupe and the Miraculous Image of the Virgin Mary | The short Trial between Jesus and Pilate Museums in Extremadura | Straightforward across the steppe Motorbiking in Extremadura | Exhibition instead of Defence Extremadura’s Congress Centres in Badajoz and Merida Exploring Extremadura, Spain
Website by Extremadura’s tourist board (Junta de Extremadura)
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