Vía de la Plata (english)

Casares de las Hurdes Caminomorisco

The millennial Vía de la Plata has its origins in the network of Roman roads known as Iter Ab Emerita Asturicam, which linked the important Roman towns of Emerita Augusta (Mérida), the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania, with Asturica Augusta (Astorga) to the north and with Hispalis (Seville) to the south.

This Roman road has been called different names over the ages, the one used today was used by the Arabs, Vía de la Plata, which comes from the word ‘balata’, meaning stone pavement.

Arroyo de la Luz

Aliseda

Valencia de Alcántara San Vicente de Alcántara

DEPÓSITO LEGAL: BA-000725-2020

Valdesalor

de Cáceres

7

Castillo de las Torres-Monesterio Difficulty: Medium - Low Distance: 19,5 km

Once you get to the junction with the EX-318 road, which goes to the beautiful village of Llerena, pass the modern hermitage of San Isidro on the left and cross the Venta del Culebrín at the foot of the N-630; continue along the N-630 and go under the A-66 motorway.

Llerena 36 Km

Embalse de Tentudía

CURIGA

MONESTERIO

El Peñón

Alto del Puerto Encinilla

Monasterio de Tentudía

Sierra de Juan Moreno

Section 2

Montijo

27 Km Comarca de La Serena LACUNIS

Badén

Monesterio-Fuente de Cantos Difficulty: Medium - Low Distance: 24,4 km

90 Km

Badajoz

Olivenza

Río Bodión

Valencina del Ventoso

Llerena 30 Km

6 Km Cruce

Cañada Real Leonesa

28 Km

Alange Torremejía

Guareña

Cortijo de Taramona

Cancela

La Cabra

4

Antigua Ermita de San Isidro

Venta el Culebrín

Ermita de San Isidro Puerto Lobo

Vereda de los Contrabandistas

Castillo de Las Torres

EL REAL DE LA JARA

Continue along the national road or parallel to it. You will soon see a green-yellow milestone that shows the way, with a sign to a camping site on the left, and shortly afterwards a new green-yellow milestone that indicates a path going uphill. Take the service road that leads to a recreation area next to the Cruz del Puerto. Go slightly downhill until you get to a roundabout, and take the N-630 to Monesterio. On this same road, the city’s main throughway, you will find another explanatory milestone on the next section next to the Pilar de la Reverencia.

Los Santos de Maimona

The city owes its name to an ancient Templar foundation. Also noteworthy is the parish church of San Pedro Apóstol, built in the 15th century. In addition, the Visitor Centre for the Vía de la Plata provides information about the entire Roman road. The municipal and parish hostels are open all year round.

CALERA DE LEÓN Depósito de agua Embalse de Tentudía

3

Fuentes de León

Medina de las Torres Fuente de Cantos

Leaving Monesterio from the football field in the direction of Fuentes de Cantos, head to the left. After passing the reservoir tank, continue for around 3 km along the Dehesa stream and cross it using the footbridge. A green and yellow milestone marks the path between dry stone walls until the road that connects the N-630 with Calera de León, continue straight on.

2

Monesterio

1 Castillo de las Torres

Vía de la Plata route

Tourist office

Hospital

Camp site

Walkable path

Hostel

Milestone

Hotel

Supplies

Spa

Rest Area

Local road

Hospederías de Extremadura

Ancient Roman mansio

Restaurant

Petrol station

Quay

Unpaved road

Visitor centre

Bridge

Pharmacy

Bank

Race track

Information on the Via de la Plata

INFORMATION AND SERVICES

76 Km Sierra de los Olivos

Sierra de San Cristóbal

ZAFRA

Notice how the landscape changes, behind lies the dehesa for an immersion in the plains, walking through large areas of crops and farmland. A section marked by several green-yellow milestones starts here, as you will pass through private farms make sure you close the gates closed so no animals can escape. Continue along the Vereda de la Plata, which is indicated by wooden signs. After passing a large red-front farmhouse, to your right and at a crossroads another green-yellow milestone indicates the way forward.

Section 4 Zafra-Los Santos de MaimonaVillafranca de los Barros Difficulty: Medium - Low Distance: 19,0 km

Comarca Vegas Altas del Guadiana 50 Km Yacimiento arquelógico Hornachos 30 Km

VILLAFRANCA DE LOS BARROS

Camino de los Moros

Ermita de San Isidro

PERCEIANA

Parish Church of San Pedro Apóstol, Monesterio

crossroads with the Camino de los Moros, turn right and follow the N-630 for a few metres, then go under the motorway bridge. Leave the road on a well-marked path with yellow milestones to go past the hermitage of San Isidro. This road, lined with houses, goes to Villafranca de los Barros, known as the “City of Music”.

Llerena

Vereda de La Plata

BALNEARIO EL RAPOSO

Cumbres Blancas

Cañada de Medina de Las Torres CONTRIBUTA

Arroyo de Palancares

Caseta

MEDINA DE LAS TORRES

Sierra de San Jorge

Badajoz 75 Km

El Palacio

Plaza Grande, Zafra Cancela Cabeza Gorda Badén

Llerena

Embalses del Guadiana 78 Km

Puente romano

AUGUSTA EMERITA

CALAMONTE

Alange 18 Km

El Chaparral

Arroyo del Pueblo

ALANGE Don Benito 45 Km

Sierra Moneda Cortijo la Moneda

Pantano de Alange

TORREMEJÍA

Arroyo del Quicio

Starting off from Calle Ancha in Zafra, use the San Francisco Tower as a reference to leave on the street of same name in the direction of Los Santos de Maimona, following several green-yellow milestones. After about 4 kilometres, go down through a pine forest until you see an H3 at the entrance to this town, where the church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles is located, built in the 16th century with impressive Plateresque façades. You will also have the opportunity to rest at the hostel located on Calle Maestrazgo.

Arroyo del Tripero

After 6 kilometres, this road joins the Roman road, which goes to Torremejía. Once you get to the junction with the EX-212 to Almendralejo on the left, you will see an H3 milestone for this city. A little further on, another green-yellow milestone marks the route to Torremejía. Continuing on, cross the road that connects Almendralejo with Alange to enter, and continue along the old Roman road for around 10 kilometres after passing the Tripero stream to enter Torremejía on Avenida de Extremadura, which is none other than the N-630 that crosses the town. On Calle Gabriel y Galán, you will see the hostel located in the Palacio de Los Lastra or de los Mexía, declared a Site of Cultural Interest, which has a façade with Roman aras and heraldic shields. Resume your journey parallel to the N-630 for several kilometres and cross the EX-105 that goes to Alange, where you can stop off to relax in its Roman spa.

Make sure that you are going to the right through vineyards interspersed with olive

Camino de la Zarza

Carretera de Arroyo

Ermita de San Isidro

Parish Church of Santa Lucía, Puebla de Sancho Pérez

Starting off from the hermitage of La Coronada, go left onto Calle San Ignacio, and then leave Villafranca de los Barros, passing through the plaza de toros. Stay on the left and after around 700 metres cross the BA002 road. Continue parallel to the N-630 with the Bonhadal stream on your right.

Sierra de San Serván

43 Km

Cruce

Convento de San Diego, Fuente de Cantos

MÉRIDA

Sierra de San Cristóbal

ZAFRA

Valencia del Ventoso 6 Km

Río Guadiana

LOS SANTOS DE MAIMONA

FUENTE DE CANTOS

Río Bodión

Llerena

Castillo de Maimona

Sierra de Los Olivos

Olivenza 81 Km

Comarca de La Serena 90 Km

30 Km

Cruce

Puente viejo

Zafra 27 Km LACUNIS

Casa de la Pajarera

Madrid 360 Km

Fábrica de orujos Rivera del Robledillo

Camino de los Molineros

trees and fields of grain. Continue on, following some yellow milestones that indicate Mérida. Before that, you will leave the neighbouring towns of Calamonte on the left and Don Álvaro and La Zarza on the right.

Enter Mérida on the historic Roman pedestrian bridge that crosses the Guadiana River from what was once Augusta Emerita, capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. In front of the statue of the she-wolf that nursed Romulus and Remus, turn left on the Paseo de Roma and go to the Visitor Centre for the Vía de la Plata. After a few hundred metres, you will reach the Molino de Pan Caliente municipal hostel.

What was one of the administrative and political centres of the Roman world is today the regional capital of Extremadura, an impressive historic city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city offers walkers the option of enjoying a route covering superb sights including the Roman theatre and the amphitheatre, the Arch of Trajan, the Temple of Diana and the National Museum of Roman Art. It also has other historic gems such as the Basilica of Santa Eulalia, the Arab citadel from the 9th century, the convent of the Order of Santiago and the Cathedral of Santa María from the 13th century.

Roman bridge, Mérida

National Museum of Roman Art, Mérida

Church of Nuestra Señora del Valle, Villafranca de los Barros

Solana de los Barros 13 Km

Cruce

Embalse de Alange 27 Km

ALMENDRALEJO

Acehuchal 9 Km Dehesa de Villagordo

Venta

Leaving Los Santos de Maimona, cross the Robledillo riverbank on the old bridge and pass the old grape liqueur factory and the N-630.

This is now the southern part of the Tierra de Barros area, where olive groves, almond trees and especially vineyards of the renowned wines with the Ribera del Guadiana designation of origin abound.

Arroyo del Bonhabal Acehuchal 15 Km PERCEIANA

VILLAFRANCA DE LOS BARROS

Comarca Vegas Altas del Guadiana 50 Km

Yacimiento Hornachos arqueológico 30 Km

In just a few kilometres you will reach the

Church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, Los Santos de Maimona

Alcázar de los Duques de Feria, Zafra

Calzadilla de los Barros 6 Km

Arroyo del Villar

Difficulty: Low Distance: 40,4 km

Sierra de Cabrera

Zafra, declared a Historic-Artistic Site, has a beautiful historic centre, the result of its Arab and medieval cultural heritage.

Cañada Real de la Puebla

Cruce

Villafranca de los Barros-Torremejía-Mérida

Paso subterráneo

Resume the route along the old Roman road, after 1.5 km walk under the railway line and follow the different milestones until you reach Zafra. At number 1 Calle Ancha, you will see the Albergue Convento de San Francisco hostel, located in one of the wings of this former convent founded in the 18th century. Its chapel also houses the Visitor Centre for Historic Sites in Extremadura.

Vereda de la Fuente del Pobre

Rivera Atarja

Section 5

Badajoz 60 Km

Cross the town and find an H3 milestone next to the railway line, with directions. After crossing the railway line, you will reach Puebla de Sancho Pérez at kilometre 18. Its main monument is the 16th century parish church of Santa Lucía. Next to it is an H3 explaining the path to follow.

PUEBLA DE SANCHO PÉREZ

Fregenal de la Sierra 40 Km

After 18.5 km, you will find an explanatory H3 next to the EX-202 that to the left goes to Segura de León. Next to it, two other milestones indicate the two possible paths that lead to Medina de las Torres. If we choose the one on the right, as well as taking in the Hermitage of San Isidro, you will ford the Bodión river and reach Fuente de Cantos.

Here, you can rest at the Albergue Convento Vía de la Plata hostel, a former convent

Two noteworthy buildings are the parish church of Nuestra Señora del Valle, from the 16th century, which is opposite the Town Hall, with a beautiful Gothic façade: and the white hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Coronada, from the 15th century.

At Fuente de Cantos, start off from a small park at the end of Calle Valencia, where a yellow milestone marks the direction to follow.

Head slightly to the left to continue your way along the BA-069 for around 7 km. Cross the Villar stream, carry on and leave the junction with the BA-040 to Calzadilla de Los Barros on the right.

43 Km

Jerez de los Caballeros 37 Km

Visitor centre for the Vía de la Plata, Monesterio

The Vía de la Plata in Extremadura starts from the Víbora stream, which defines the limits between Seville and Badajoz provinces, less than a kilometre from El Real de la Jara.

An H3 milestone marks the route and another green-yellow milestone shows the way, as well as indicating the Roman road. Pass the ruins of the las Torres Castle on the right; three remaining turrets can still be seen.

General Coordination: Dirección General de Turismo

The path runs across level land, and you will come across numerous milestones and small streams. You will leave the Tentudía area to become immersed in the Zafra-Río Bodión area until you reach Medina de las Torres. On the façade of its town hall, you will see some Roman aras, and opposite the parish church of Nuestra Señora del Camino, from the 16th century, which houses a wonderful altarpiece, the master work of Estacio de Bruselas.

Badajoz

Cruce

that has been magnificently restored and also houses the Visitor Centre for the painter Francisco de Zurbarán, born in this town.

For ornithology enthusiasts, there are also colonies of lesser kestrels near the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Granada, built in the 17th century.

Junta de Extremadura Consejería de Cultura, Turismo y Deportes

Visitor centre for the Vía de la Plata

Llerena 36 Km

CURIGA

Mérida Sevilla

Crossing / Gate

81 Km

MONESTERIO

Azuaga

Sections of the route

Olivenza

El Peñón Monasterio de Tentudía

Llerena

National road

Montemolín 8 Km

Santiago de Compostela Astorga

Puebla de Sancho Pérez

de la Sierra

Arroyo de la Dehesa

Monasterio de Tentudía, Calera de León

Cabeza del Buey

Zalamea de la Serena

Hornachos

Zafra

Fregenal

Information on the Via de la Plata

Embalse de La Matrera Llerena 34 Km

Castuera

Railway

Barranco del Bodión

Alto de las Zorreras

Quintana de la Serena

Villafranca de los Barros

Yacimiento arqueológico “Los Castillejos”

Majada de la Bóveda

Herrera del Duque

Miajadas

Motorways

Cortijo de Mejías

5

Ermita de San Isidro

Segura de León

Alcuéscar

Almendralejo

Fuente de Cantos-Medina de las Torres-Puebla de Sancho Pérez-Zafra Difficulty: Low Distance: 29,5 km

FUENTE DE CANTOS

Casa de la Pajarera

Carrascalejo Medellín Villanueva de la Serena Don Benito Mérida Campanario

6

Section 3

Zafra Cabeza Gorda Cancela

Talarrubias

Arroyomolinos

SYMBOLS USED IN THE GUIDE-MAP

Section 1

Cañamero

Parque Natural de Cornalvo Aljucén

Higuera la Real

After around 4 km between the holm oaks and cork oaks typical to Extremadura, the path comes to the Vereda de los Contrabandistas.

Continue along a wide dirt track and cross the Tamujoso stream, shortly afterwards, cross the Culebrín stream.

Guadalupe

Trujillo

Malpartida

Carmonita

Oliva de la Frontera

Walkable path and road

Alburquerque

Jerez de los Caballeros

Roman road

Castañar de Ibor

Cáceres

Navalmoral de la Mata

Torrejón el Rubio

Aldea del Cano

Throughout the entire route, there are vestiges of the old mansio, Roman inns located around 35 km from each other, and some miliarii, or milestones, that marked every mile along the route.

The Vía de la Plata has been and remains a route cultural exchange route that exceeds the limits of space and time always present in our history.

8

Jaraíz de la Vera

Parque Nacional de Monfragüe

Embalse de Alcántara

Garrovillas de Alconétar

Villarreal de San Carlos

Grimaldo

Cañaveral

Casar de Cáceres

Today, the Vía de la Plata is a millennial route of almost 1,000 kilometres that can be travelled on foot or by bicycle, discovering a rich natural and architectural heritage that becomes a unique, immense open-air museum.

Walkable path

Coria

San Gil / Galisteo

Alcántara

Jerte

Plasencia

9

Given the importance of this connection in the different cultures that have occupied the territories through which it passes, it has been used as a path of pilgrimage by devotees of the Apostle St. James (Santiago in Spanish), and has thus remained to this day.

Hervás

Cabezuela del Valle Oliva de Plasencia Jarandilla de la Vera

10

Valdeobispo Carcaboso

Moraleja

11

Montehermoso

Baños de Montemayor

San Martín de Trevejo Aldeanueva del Camino

Cáparra

Palacio de Los Lastra, Torremejía

Roman Theatre, Mérida

Highlights include iconic buildings such as the Alcázar de los Duques de Feria, today a Parador Hotel, which still preserves part of its wall and various original entrance gates. As well as the Convent of Santa Clara, declared a National Monument, and the Parish Church of La Candelaria, from the 16th century, where you will be able to admire the Los Remedios de Zurbarán and the Virgen de Valvanera altarpieces. Outside these historic buildings, you will also see colonies of the smallest and most urban birds of prey in the world, the lesser kestrel.

Section 6

Leave Mérida by another Roman bridge, the bridge that crosses the Albarregas river, enjoying the impressive views of the Los Milagros aqueduct, and take Avenida de la Vía de la Plata to the N-630. Cross the motorway and retake the Roman road as indicated by the milestones along the way, passing the village of Trujillanos on your right with the backdrop of the Cornalvo Nature Park. Keep going and you will see the Proserpina reservoir on the left, with an artificial beach, at the same time as you get to the junction of the BA-091 road to Mirandilla. A little further on you will find an H3 on the path of the Roman road and a milestone.

Mérida-Carrascalejo-Aljucén-Cruce de las Herrerías (Alcuéscar) Difficulty: Low Distance: 32,30 km

MONTÁNCHEZ

ALCUÉSCAR

CRUCE DE LAS HERRERÍAS

Cruce Santa Lucía del Trampal

Balneario Fuentes del Trampal

Cruz de San Juan

CARMONITA Arroyo del Valle de la Zarza

Arroyo de Francisco Pérez

La Nava de Santiago 17 Km

Río Aljucén

ALJUCÉN

Berrocal de Rugidero-Cornalvo Nature Park

Dolmen de Lácara

Pass through La Casa de Campo in the city of Mérida and cross to the other side of the N-630 to continue for around 5 kilometres to El Carrascalejo, walking among livestock farms and crossing some stiles. At the entrance, there is a yellow milestone, the arrow of the Friends of the Path and the Cross of the Order of Santiago, which you will see again behind the church of La Consolación, also known as Santa María del Camino, from the 14th century and 15th centuries, where an explanatory H3 on the route is also located.

Shortly afterwards, pass a beautiful crossing on your left, built on a Roman ara with the Cross of the Order of Santiago, and a yellow milestone marks the route. Cross the A-66 motorway through a tunnel and you will get to Aljucén. Next to the parish church of San Andrés, from the 15th and 16th centuries, an H3 milestone highlights nearby places to visit as interesting as the Lácara dolmen.

PARQUE NATURAL DE CORNALVO

Río Aljucé

EL CARRASCALEJO

Arroyo del Pozón Casa de Campo de Mérida

MIRANDILLA Cruce

Embalse de Proserpina

Cruce

Arroyo de las Arquitas

Arroyo de Valhondo

Madrid 360 Km

Cruce Montijo 32 Km

Embalse del Guadiana 78 Km

Río Albarregas

Río Guadiana

MÉRIDA

Badajoz 60 Km

AUGUSTA EMERITA

Puente romano

Section 8 Cáceres-Casar de Cáceres-Embalse de Alcántara (Garrovillas de Alconétar) Difficulty: Medium Distance: 30,5 km

Comarca Las Hurdes 61 Km Comarca Sierra de Gata 56 Km Coria 30 Km

Puente romano de Alconétar

Leave Cáceres through the Plaza de Toros and take the CC-38 that leads in a straight line towards the town of Casar de Cáceres.

After 3.5 km, you will see on your left the Cañada Real or cattle track of La Sierrilla, take it until you pass under the motorway bridges.

Enter the town famous for its exquisite sheep’s cheese Torta del Casar and take Calle Larga Alta straight ahead, a historic walk on the Roman road that runs through the village. In Plaza del Ayuntamiento you can find the municipal hostel where you can spend the night if you wish, and take the opportunity to see the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Section 7 Cruce de las Herrerías (Alcuéscar)-Casas de Don Antonio-Aldea del CanoCáceres Difficulty: Low Distance: 38 km

Leave Alcuéscar, retaking your path through the Cruce de las Herrerías, following the directions of a green-yellow milestone. Taking the N-630 as a reference, walk through the Extremadura dehesas, and after 3 km the medieval bridge over the Ayuela river, preceded by an H3 milestone, will lead you to Casas de Don Antonio. Close by is the old Ad Sorores mansio, continue along a path that runs parallel to the N-630, marked by several Roman milestones, including the milestone known as “del cartero” (the postman’s), which has a hole where messages used to be left. After one kilometre, cross the Roman Santiago bridge and you will be very close to Aldea del Cano, which is worth visiting and where you can rest if you need to.

Parque Nacional de Monfragüe 55 Km

Plaza de Toros

Lácara Dolmen

Leave Aljucén on Avenida de Extremadura, walking until it joins the N-630, cross the Aljucén river and you will find two yellow milestones that indicate the path to be followed until the Cruce de las Herrerías, a historic stopover and inn. This is now the province of Cáceres; continue your way through fields of holm oaks and large meadows where Iberian pigs graze at ease. An H3 milestone gives information about the historic village of Montánchez, famous for its cold meats and ham.

Your route will take you to the Cruz de San Juan, climb slightly up a hill and you will make out Alcuéscar in the distance with the tower of the Church of la Asunción over the tops of the houses.

Trujillo

Guadalupe

47 Km

127 Km

CÁCERES Aldea Moret

CAESTRIS CAECILI Dehesa de Los Caballeros

Charca Musia

Las Minas Badajoz 91 Km Campamento Santa Ana

Cruce

Alcor de Santa Ana

Puerto de las Camellas

Cortijo El Trasquilón Trujillo

VALDESALOR

59 Km

Yacimiento arqueológico

Río Salor Embalse Caserío y del Salor Castillos de las Arguijuelas

Ermita de las Arguijuelas Yacimiento arqueológico

Charca de la Generala

ALDEA DEL CANO Trujillo 57 Km

Castle of the Arguijuela de Abajo, Cáceres

From Valdesalor and thanks to the directions provided on a milestone, retake your path along the right side of the N-630; 3 kilometres later pass under it through a tunnel to go up to the puerto de las Camellas, from where you can make out Cáceres. Follow the directions of the green-yellow milestones, staying to the right of the national road, and in the distance you will see the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de la Montaña on one side, and on the other, Aldea Moret, where you can visit the Visitor Centre on mining in Extremadura.

Cruce Puente de Santiago Dehesa de la Atalaya

Ermita de Santiago Cortijo de Santiago de Bencáliz

Río Ayuela Trujillo

AD SORORES

56 Km

CASAS DE DON ANTONIO

Puente de Ayuela

Cordobilla de Lácara 17 Km

Embalse de Ayuela

MONTÁNCHEZ

Cruce

ALCUÉSCAR

CRUCE DE LAS HERRERÍAS

Cruce Santa Lucía del Trampal

San Andrés church, Aljucén

Section 9 Embalse de Alcántara (Garrovillas de Alconétar)-Cañaveral - GrimaldoSan Gil (Plasencia)/Galisteo

RUSTICIANA Río Alagón

GALISTEO Coria 26 Km

Plasencia

SAN GIL

Arroyo de San Gil

Dehesa de Larios

Parque Nacional de Monfragüe 54 Km

RIOLOBOS

Plasencia

Finca Valparaíso

Cruce

26 Km

Embalse de El Boquerón

Cancela

Garrovillas de Alconétar 8 Km Resto de calzada

Cerro del Cabildo Coria 30 Km Comarca Las Hurdes 64 Km

Río Almonte

Comarca Sierra de Gata 56 Km

Visitor Centre for La Cañada Real Soriana Occidental and “Casa Pinotes” Pastoral Culture, Casar de Cáceres

Arroyo del Espino

PEDROSO DE ACIM

Ermita de San Blas

Embalse del Cordel

Valle de los Muertos

Plasencia

GRIMALDO Cruce

Convento El Palancar

CASAR DE CÁCERES Arroyo de la Luz 17 Km

Cruce

Campamento romano Cáceres el Viejo Parque Nacional de Monfragüe 55 Km

Sierra de Aguas Vivas

Plaza de Toros

La Sierrilla

Puente romano de Alcántara 63 Km

CÁCERES

Trujillo

Guadalupe

47 Km

127 Km

CASTRIS CAECILI

The next section has the highest concentration of milestones on the entire route, in particular in the Lomo de la Plata. After crossing

Dehesa de Los Caballos

Aldea Moret

Section 10 Difficulty: Low Distance: 31,0 km

Embalse de Ventaquemada

CASA DE VENTAQUEMADA

Plasencia 12 Km

Cancela

OLIVA DE PLASENCIA

Cancela

Pantano de Gabriel y Galán 26 Km

Embalse de Plasencia

VALDEOBISPO Dehesa de San Pedrillo

CARCABOSO

PLASENCIA

Cruce

ALDEHUELA DEL JERTE

PRADOCHANO Río Jerte Cruce

Plasencia 14 Km

RUSTICIANA

GALISTEO Plasencia 16 Km

Coria 26 Km

SAN GIL

Río Alagón

Navalmoral de la Mata 73 Km

La Vera 30 Km Plasencia 9 Km

Puente romano de Alconétar

After around 7 kilometres, you will see Aldehuela del Jerte on the left and the settlement of Pradochano on the right. An H3 milestone provides information about the route.

Continue for 5 km until the junction with the EX370, if you go right you will get to Plasencia. Just 2 kilometres on the left is the town of Carcaboso, where you can visit its Milestone Park, the Visitor Centre for the Roman Road and the Santiago Route and the church of Santiago Apóstol, with a portico that includes milestones from the time of the emperor Trajan. At the entrance to Carcaboso, an H3 milestone indicates how to retake the direction along the Roman road. You can identify your route when you pass by some kilns in the San Pedrillo Dehesas.

Cuartos de Arriba

Miraltajo

which was moved for the construction of the reservoir.

Río Tajo

Embalse de Alcántara

Alconétar Bridge

Torre de Los Floripes

Parque Nacional de Monfragüe 54 Km

La Picota tower, Galisteo

Galisteo

Section 11 Oliva de Plasencia-Cáparra-Aldeanueva del Camino-Baños de Montemayor Difficulty: Medium Distance: 38,0 km BAÑOS DE MONTEMAYOR

CAELIONICCO

ABADÍA

ALDEANUEVA DEL CAMINO

Embalse de Armiñán

HERVÁS

LA GRANJA

Pantano de Gabriel y Galán 5 Km

Comarca de Las Hurdes 26 Km

Cruce

Valle del Jerte

Valle del Jerte

16 Km

12 Km

GARGANTILLA SEGURA DE TORO

Río Ambroz Yacimiento arqueológico

Río Cáparra Pantano de Gabriel y Galán 6 Km

Milestone, Oliva de Plasencia Embalse de Ventaquemada

Comarca de Las Hurdes 30 Km

Cruce

CASAS DEL MONTE

CAPARRA

Ruinas romanas de Cáparra y yacimiento arqueológico

Embalse de Fresnedilla

CASA DE VENTAQUEMADA

Continue to Aldeanueva; at the entrance you will be welcomed by a large piece of ceramic with the names of all the Roman mansions you will find along the Vía de la Plata and a plaque indicating the hostel. Among the most interesting buildings in this town are its market square, the parish churches of Nuestra Señora del Olmo and San Servando, both from the 15th and 16th centuries, as well as the Roman bridge over the Buitrera gorge.

Ermita del Cristo de la Misericordia

Embalse de Baños

Continue on your way, surrounded by holm oaks, between green and yellow milestones, making sure to close the gates as you go, guarded by stone walls. A few kilometres later, an H3 milestone provides information about the nearby town of Valdeobispo, which is on your left, and you will find a group of milestones just 1.2 kilometres away. On your left, take a service road on the right bank of the Jerte river, pass a canal and continue on, following the directions.

The path, to continue towards Grimaldo, continues straight ahead to Cañaveral station, then take a road towards the N-630 direction Puerto de los Castaños, and continue on, passing the hermitage of San Cristóbal on the left. Around 2 kilometres later, you will find the EX-109, which goes to Torrejoncillo, and will take you to the humble convent of El Palancar. Cross this road and continue, with the N-630 and the A-66 motorway on your right. A sign indicates the path to take to Grimaldo, a pleasant walk between holm oaks, cork oaks and several streams known as the Valley of the Dead.

Green-yellow milestones mark the way; there is another yellow milestone at the entrance to the Valparaíso property - continue through the irrigated fields. Cross the Las Monjas and the San Gil streams and walk to the

Continue your journey, passing the Renfe stop, and cross the Tajo river on the side of the national road. Going uphill, and shortly after the entry to the Nautical Club, you will finally get to the turn off to the hostel.

Retake your path along the route of the old Roman road, now a service road, from San Gil direction Carcaboso through the Alagón Valley.

San Gil (Plasencia)/Galisteo-Carcaboso-Oliva de Plasencia

Comarca de Las Hurdes 30 Km

If you decide to continue on your way, say goodbye to the town at the hermitage of Santiago. At the exit, you will find a sign indicating the Visitor Centre for La Cañada Real Soriana Occidental and “Casa Pinotes” Pastoral Culture, and next to it an H3 milestone marking the path that retakes the historic route. After 3 kilometres, pass the hermitage of San Blas on the right with a milestone next to it.

junction with the EX-108, where you will find an H3 at the entrance to the white village of San Gil, which is on the right. On the left, you will see the walled town of Galisteo, bathed by the Jerte river, and famous for its La Picota tower and the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, with its beautiful Mudejar apse. A historic site well worth visiting visiting and also you can also rest.

After going through several gates, go around the Chozón and Cabildo hills, descending little by little. A little later, you will run into two gates, the one on the left will take you to Riolobos, 4 kilometres away, and the one ahead will take you to Galisteo. In this section, which includes several more gates, make sure you carefully follow the directions. The route will take you to the El Boquerón reservoir.

Puente de San Benito

Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Casar de Cáceres

a Ctra. CC-122

Start off by having a look at the H3 next to the Alcántara reservoir, and cross the N-630 to take a path that goes up around Garrote hill, offering interesting views over the reservoir.

Cruce

CAÑAVERAL

Ermita de Santiago

Puerto de los Castaños Parque Nacional de Monfragüe 46 Km

Ermita de San Cristóbal

Plaza Mayor and Torre de Bujaco, Cáceres

Visitors who do not need the services offered in the town can continue straight on. You will soon come across an H3 milestone, just before crossing the road to Holguera. The forest then gradually gives way to extensive farmland.

34 Km

Coria 26 Km

Arab cistern, Cáceres Museum

Go into Cáceres, which preserves one of

After a few kilometres, you will go over San Benito medieval bridge and, shortly afterwards, see another H3 milestone about the nearby town of Cañaveral, with the church of Santa Marina, from the 14th and 15th centuries, in a beautiful porticoed square.

Difficulty: Medium-Low Distance: 35 km

Río Tajo

Lomo de la Plata

If you are also an ornithology enthusiast, you will find several colonies of lesser kestrels that make up the urban enclave in this historic city.

Casa del Garabato de Arriba

Dolmen del Garabato

Arroyo de las Monjas

TURMULUS

Houses of Don Antonio

Campo de Vuelo La Cervera

16 Km

Torre de Los Floripes

The ruins of the Castra Caecilia camp can be seen outside the city of Cáceres. A good part of the archaeological site has been recovered and it is still easy to appreciate how this Roman military settlement was organised.

If you prefer to continue, pass this village on the right, following more milestones along your way. On the left, you will see the railway

Miraltajo Embalse de Alcántara

the most impressive historic sites in Spain, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, mostly from the 15th and 16th centuries.

You can walk the streets and squares such as San Jorge and the late Gothic Cathedral of Santa María, which stands in the centre of the medieval site. Other highlights include the Palacio de los Golfines and the Palacio de Carvajal. As well as the plaza mayor where the town hall, the Bujaco tower and the Foro de los Balbos stand out. The route is rounded off with a visit to the Provincial Museum, located in the Las Veletas palace or the aljibe. In addition, visitors will find all kinds of services in Cáceres.

Puente de la Mocha

In Alcuéscar, you can rest at the humble Convento de los Esclavos de María y los Pobres hostel, and visit the wonderful Visigoth basilica of Santa María del Trampal, unique in Spain.

the gate to the Cumbre Oscura property, you will be able to tread the original paving of the Vía de la Plata road. Several milestones mark the direction to be followed, going up and downhill, and there are more embedded milestones until the final descent begins. New milestones will guide you along the N-630 to cross the bridge over the Almonte river, where you can make out the Alcántara reservoir. Built in 1969, it left under its waters the original route of the Vía de la Plata and what was once the Roman mansio of Turmulus. When the reservoir levels are low, you will be able to see the tower of Los Floripes, from the 15th century, part of the ruins of the original medieval town of Alconétar,

station and later on, up on an elevation, the option of contemplating the Garabato dolmen. Continue on your way and you will find the La Cervera airfield, a few kilometres later next to the national road, you will run into the castles of Arguijuela de Abajo and de Arriba, and cross the Salor river over the old bridge of La Mocha to get to Valdesalor, a village planned in the 60s.

Face the final section after getting informed from the H3 milestone next to the Aldeanueva Town Hall. Leave on the N-630, after a roundabout, walk along the motorway and return to the national road. Along your way, you will first cross the Romanillos bridge over the San Andrés gorge, and shortly afterwards the Doncellas bridge over the Ambroz river. On your right is the town of Hervás, with a Jewish quarter alone that is worth a visit. Taking the EX-205, leave the El Salugral Environmental Education Centre halfway.

derful spa hotel and you can see the remains of the Roman baths close by. The road used to cross the town and another restored section is preserved to the north. You can visit the parish church of Santa María de la Asunción, from the 16th and 17th centuries, and the church of Santa Catalina, from the 16th century. It also has a Visitor Centre for the Vía de la Plata in Extremadura, which, like the centres in Monesterio and Mérida, explains the historical, artistic and cultural aspects of this important communication route to visitors.

Travellers can enjoy all the services here, including the Vía de la Plata Hostel, where we end our wonderful route.

Caserío de Casablanca

Plasencia 12 Km

OLIVA DE PLASENCIA

Traverse the last stage of the Vía de la Plata in Extremadura by retaking your path, cross the road and continue straight ahead through the Cañada Real de la Plata, which follows the route of the Roman road. For around 6 kilometres you will make out in the distance the symbol of the Vía, the majestic Roman arch of Cáparra. The only one of its kind, with four faces, on the Iberian Peninsula. To get an idea of the importance of the city of Cáparra, located right on the Roman road, visit its magnificent and educational Visitor Centre for the Vía de la Plata.

Continue your route until you see an H3 milestone about the nearby village of Ahigal, cross the regional road that goes there, and a few meters later you will discover another H3 in front of the Casa de Ventaquemada.

Just 6 kilometres from there is the town of Oliva de Plasencia, the home of the Vía de la Plata Hostel. You can also visit its 16th century parish church of San Blas, next to which you will see a milestone and the 17th century Palacio de los Condes de Oliva.

The best thing to do would be to rest in Oliva and get ready for the final stage.

Cross next to the church of San Blas, Oliva de Plasencia

Roman city of Cáparra

Continue your journey through the green dehesas of the Ambroz Valley, starting off from the arch of Cáparra. At the exit from the archaeological site, a green-yellow milestone indicates the path to be followed, pass the road to Guijo de Granadilla and join a path along which you will go through gates and streams, then go through the area that goes towards Zarza de Granadilla. Continue for 5 more kilometres until the junction with the EX-205 to La Granja, which will take you to the N630 and take it to the north. A yellow milestone provides information about how to retake the old Roman road and get to Aldeanueva del Camino via a short section uphill.

Guided by new green and yellow milestones, cross the A-66 motorway through an underpass and come out onto the national road. Pass Abadía on your left and the towns of Segura del Toro and Gargantilla on your right.

Jewish quarter, Hervás

The Doncellas bridge, Aldeanueva del Camino

From the Hervás junction, retake the N-630 and after walking for half an hour you will pass by a campsite, continue on and shortly before reaching Baños de Montemayor, you will tread for a few metres on the original Roman road and find the hermitage of Cristo de la Misericordia, from the 16th century.

Baños de Montemayor is the location of the Caelionicco or Cecilio Vico mansio and was already famous back in Roman times for its thermal waters. It currently has a won-

Spa, Baños de Montemayor