Discover Tornavacas
Accommodation in Tornavacas
In Tornavacas, buildings steeped in history meet hiking trails through varied natural landscapes. For your planning, it is worth distinguishing between visits to the town’s sights and the different routes: each route has a specific length and course, while seasonal conditions can affect the trail.
Buildings and Local History
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is predominantly Baroque in style and houses altarpieces from the 16th and 17th centuries. It was designated a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1982. Its architecture and furnishings offer different insights into the building’s history.
The bridges also differ clearly in age and location. The medieval Puente Cimero crosses the River Jerte. La Puentecilla, by contrast, dates from the 18th century and crosses the river of the Garganta del Cubo. The Picota, a structure from the 14th century, is associated with Tornavacas’s historic Villazgo title.
Hiking: Routes and Distances
The marked PR-CC 1 Ruta de Carlos V is a 28-kilometer linear hiking trail in the municipality of Tornavacas. It starts in the town at an elevation of about 860 meters and initially descends along the left bank of the Jerte. Further along, the route passes through the Reserva Natural de la Garganta de los Infiernos and traverses varied natural landscapes. Terrain and trail conditions can change with the seasons, so check the conditions for your chosen route before setting out.
For a shorter walk, the Mirador del Monte de la Cruz is a specific destination: from the upper part of town, you can reach it by following about 2.5 kilometers of the first section of the PR-CC 3 Minas del Wolframio. This distance refers to the route to the viewpoint. The PR-CC 3 itself is described as a 13.5-kilometer circular hiking trail; check its route details before setting out.
The PR-CC 3 also passes the former Santa Ana mine. There, you can see the remains of a mill or ore-crushing facility, as well as the houses of the supervisor and the clerk. This route therefore combines a specific hiking destination with insights into the site’s former use as a mine. The distances of 2.5, 13.5, and 28 kilometers refer to different routes: the approach to the viewpoint, the circular trail, and the marked linear hiking trail.
Nature and Landscape
A large part of the Reserva Natural Garganta de los Infiernos lies within the municipality of Tornavacas. The protected area features visible traces of glacial erosion, numerous waterfalls and cascades, and large pools carved into the rock. Conditions at individual water spots can vary seasonally. This is distinct from the Reserva Regional de Caza La Sierra, which has diverse ecosystems featuring high-mountain birds of prey and ibex.
The ruins of the Ermita de Santa MarĂa offer views of a landscape and ecologically diverse area near the mouth of the Garganta de San MartĂn. The site’s ruined state is part of its character and helps distinguish this viewpoint from a preserved building.
Visitor Information
The C.I.R.V. Las Cárceles is located in the villa’s former prison rooms and provides a welcome, assistance, and information for visitors. The Centro de Interpretación de la Reserva Natural de la Garganta de los Infiernos is housed in the former Hospital de Pobres and focuses on transhumance and high-mountain ecosystems. If you plan to visit the interpretation center, check the current opening arrangements in advance.
Discover more destinations: Marchagaz, AlĂa, Santibáñez El Bajo, Casas Del Castañar, Malpartida De Cáceres, Jaraicejo, Madrigal De La Vera, Cabezuela Del Valle.
For the broader travel overview: Cáceres.
