Burgohondo: Hiking Trails, the Alberche River and Cultural Heritage

In Burgohondo, you’ll find marked hiking trails, recreational areas along the Alberche, the landscape of La Mata and places with a history of their own. When planning your trip, it’s worth looking at the specific features: a route with named starting and ending points is laid out differently from a circular trail; the swimming spots also differ in their described riverside features and recreational facilities. When planning your hotel stay, this selection can help you choose what to see in Burgohondo based on your own travel interests.

Hiking trails with different starting points

Burgohondo has three marked and officially approved hiking trails. The PRC-AV 12 La Cendra-El Espino begins at Parque de los Bomberos and ends at Jardines de El Zaire. The PRC-AV 14 El Tejar, by contrast, is a circular trail that starts and ends at these gardens. Jardines de El Zaire is therefore a named landmark on both routes: once as the destination of a trail, and once as the starting and ending point of a circular route. The long-distance GR-10, which passes through the municipality of Burgohondo, is a separate trail.

Swimming spots and scenery along the Alberche

Puente Arco is a swimming spot on the Alberche. Rapids, rock slabs and sandy areas define the site and make it suitable for water sports. Tabla de Abades offers a different combination: the swimming spot is shallow and lies about two kilometres from the town. Inflatable boats can be used there, and introductory canoeing courses are held. Puente Nueva also has a meadow for sunbathing and public picnic areas. Your choice therefore depends on whether you’re more interested in the river features described at Puente Arco, the shallow water and canoeing opportunities at Tabla de Abades, or the meadow and picnic areas at Puente Nueva.

In the Paraje de La Mata, the landscape changes as you head south: a narrow, dense pine forest gives way to the fertile riverside area of the Alberche and natural pools. Near the former mill is a small natural area with play features integrated into the surroundings for families with young children. La Mata thus brings together the forest, riverside scenery and this family-oriented natural area as different aspects of the same setting.

Abbey and local history

The abbey complex of Burgohondo comprises an atrium, a church and the former monastery. The church is divided into three naves, covered by a wooden structure. Inside the abbey are an 18th-century altarpiece and murals dating from the late 13th or early 14th century. The murals depict the Passion of Christ. The architecture and artworks therefore point to different periods; the date of the murals is deliberately given as falling between two possible periods.

Another site of religious heritage is the Ermita de la Santa Vera Cruz, known in Burgohondo as Ermita de los Judíos. It is the only evidence of a Jewish presence in Burgohondo. Today, the hermitage is used as a tourist office. Together with the abbey, it gives your stay a cultural and historical dimension distinct from the hiking and river themes.

The Vaquilla and when it takes place

A local tradition is the festival of the Vaquilla, held in honour of Saint Sebastian. A young man carries a wooden cow’s head figure attached to a round pole. He uses it to chase and scare people while entertaining them. The festival takes place on the Sunday closest to 20 January, Saint Sebastian’s feast day. If this tradition is important to your travel plans, take into account the Sunday closest to the date, rather than assuming it will be held on 20 January itself.

Discover more destinations: Crespos, Salobral, Tornadizos De Ávila, San Juan de la Encinilla, Bernuy-Salinero, El Tiemblo, Piedralaves, Hoyos Del Espino.

For the wider travel overview: Avila.