Riolobos: Cerro Tomillar, the Ermita and festivals

Riolobos can be explored when planning your trip through specific nature and cultural themes. The peri-urban Cerro Tomillar Park combines nature conservation and recreation; the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Argamasa represents religious traditions, and the town is connected to a section of the Vía de la Plata. If you are looking for a hotel in Riolobos, these highlights can help you choose when to travel and what you would like to focus on during your stay.

Cerro Tomillar: nature, orchids and recreation

Within the municipality of Riolobos, Cerro Tomillar is designated as a peri-urban park for nature conservation and recreation. It covers 15.4 hectares and combines a traditional urban park with a botanical garden representing various Mediterranean forest habitats. The nature classroom focuses primarily on wild orchids and their conservation. An orchid viewpoint has also been built at the summit. Here, the subject of orchids is therefore presented both in the context of education and conservation and at a named site on the summit.

The park includes a lagoon and a network of paths used for recreation and outdoor sports. The large lagoon is a fishing area that is also used by local residents. If you would like to fish there, check the local rules in advance. This specific use is distinct from the general recreation and sports activities on the paths.

The Ermita and pilgrimage traditions

The present-day Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Argamasa was reconstructed in 1990. An earlier chapel had previously been flooded and had fallen into disrepair as a result. The year therefore refers to the reconstruction of the present-day Ermita, not to the earlier chapel. The Ermita is used for religious services and pilgrimages; it is accessible and can be visited.

Two religious occasions provide different focal points for Riolobos’s festivals: Lunes de Piedra is a pilgrimage in honor of the Virgen de la Argamasa and takes place on the second Monday after Easter Sunday. The festival in honor of Santa Catalina de Alejandría is considered the town’s most important festival; Santa Catalina de Alejandría is its patron saint.

The three-day festival of Santa Catalina includes Alboradas in the morning, a Mass and procession in honor of the patron saint at 12 noon, popular competitions in the afternoon, and Verbenas in the evening. Dates and programs may change from year to year. If you would like to plan your trip around these celebrations, check the details for the relevant year.

The Vía de la Plata and getting there

Riolobos lies on the Vía de la Plata, specifically on the Cañaveral–Galisteo section of the route. The medieval Puente is also connected to the route: it stands on what may be Roman paving along a path adjoining the Vía de la Plata, which is thought to correspond to the section between Garrobillas and Galisteo. Both the Roman attribution of the paving and the identification of this path with the specified section remain possibilities.

From Cáceres, you can reach Riolobos via the A-66 motorway towards Plasencia/Salamanca, taking exit 489 and then the CC-163 road. Check the route details with up-to-date navigation before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Pinofranqueado, Casillas De Coria, Zarza De Granadilla, Cabezabellosa, Cuacos De Yuste, Brozas, Barrado, Cañamero.

See the overview of destinations in the wider region: Cáceres.