Las Casas Del Conde: Trails, Nature and Local History

In Las Casas Del Conde, two main themes go hand in hand when planning your trip: trails through riverside and cultural landscapes, and buildings and stone landmarks that tell the story of the town. When looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether hiking routes and nature or historical details will be the focus of your stay.

Landscape and River Setting

The town lies within the Natura 2000 LIC Las Batuecas-Sierra de Francia (ES4150107). It also sits on a south-facing mountainside, giving it a distinctive microclimate. The Río Francia forms a well-preserved river landscape with a high degree of naturalness; in 2017, it was declared a Reserva Natural Fluvial. The hillside setting, river environment and protected-area status each shape different aspects of the landscape.

Hiking Trails and Nature

The Asentadero–Bosque de los Espejos is a 9.2-kilometer circular trail through San Martín del Castañar, Sequeros and Las Casas Del Conde. Permanent artworks are installed along the route. If you would like to include art in your hike, you can take these works into account as an additional focus when choosing your trail.

The Sendero Puentes Nuevas offers a different focus: it passes old mills, bridges and the remains of former livestock shelters. Its landscape alternates between orchards, meadows, olive groves and vineyards, as well as oak, chestnut, pine and riverside forests. Wet areas along the trail provide habitat for endangered amphibians, including salamanders, Iberian newts and midwife toads. The trail is signposted; markers with QR codes provide information about important resources along the route.

At Charco de La Ahigal, there is a stone bridge with a single arch. The access road to the town crosses it, as does the Sendero Puentes Nuevas.

Local History and Culture

Las Casas Del Conde was established through French resettlements ordered by Count Raymond of Burgundy toward the end of the 13th century. The Iglesia de Santa Catalina de Alejandría was built in 1767. The Viacrucis consists of 14 stone crosses and culminates at a Calvario, or Calvary. These buildings and landmarks offer tangible points of connection to the town’s history.

The town’s sights include stone fountains and wash basins. The most notable wash basin is near Barrioviejo, beside the road. Outside the Ermita, a Crucero stands on an original pavement made of pebbles from the Río Francia. Since the mid-18th century, there have been two grain mills along the Río Francia.

Local Produce and Getting There

Olives and grapes from Las Casas Del Conde are made into oils and wines. Local agricultural produce therefore adds to the themes of landscape and history.

The drive from Salamanca to Las Casas Del Conde follows the CL-512 toward Vecinos, the SA-210 to Tamames, and then the SA-215 and SA-220. Check your navigation before setting off to compare the sequence of roads with the current route guidance.

Discover more destinations: Carrascal Del Río, Aldealengua, Carrasco, San Pelayo De Guareña, San Esteban De La Sierra, Alba De Tormes, Villamayor, Olmedo De Camaces.

For the main travel overview: Salamanca.