Alcolea De Calatrava combines a landscape shaped by volcanic activity with hiking trails, fossil finds and a long local history. When planning your trip, you can choose from nature and geology as well as local culture and traditions. This lets you tailor your stay to whether you mainly want to explore scenic routes or learn about the area’s historical and palaeontological features.
Volcanic Landscape and Routes
Alcolea de Calatrava lies on a plain surrounded by mountain ranges, lagoons and volcanic cones. Cerro de la Santa Cruz is a Strombolian volcanic cone with two clearly defined craters. Immediately to the north lies the Peñas del Bú maar, also known as Laguna del Bú. The Peñarroya volcano is protected as a natural monument. Together, these names give an impression of the different geological formations found in the area.
A route to the Peñarroya volcano and lagoon starts on the Colada del Camino Ancho drovers’ road in Alcolea de Calatrava and leads into the natural monument. From there, you can choose a circular route that descends to the area of the temporary lagoon. The Peñarroya route offers panoramic views of the Sierra de las Medias Lunas. The Cañada Real Segoviana also runs along the northwestern flank of Cerro de la Santa Cruz, at its foot.
Hiking and Mountain Biking
The Segoviana and Soriana drovers’ roads cross Alcolea de Calatrava and have been restored for hiking. This connects the landscape with the historic drovers’ routes. The municipality has restored a section of the Cañada Real Segoviana as a natural area for residents to enjoy and spend their leisure time.
A Geopark circular route is also listed for mountain biking. It passes representative volcanoes of Alcolea de Calatrava, including Volcán de la Santa Cruz and Volcán de Peñarroya, goes through El Martinete and returns to the municipality. Booking and operating details for this route may vary; check them before making plans.
Fossils and History
The Las Higueruelas palaeontological site in Alcolea de Calatrava is one of the most important sites in the Iberian Peninsula for Pliocene and Pleistocene vertebrates. It contains numerous fossils of mastodons, gazelles, deer, horses, rhinoceroses, hyenas, cheetahs, birds, giant tortoises, amphibians and fish. This makes the site a special destination for anyone interested in the region’s natural history.
Nearby, the Museo de Ciudad Real features a presentation of the fauna and ecological setting of Las Higueruelas. This includes the mastodon specimen Anancus arvernensis.
The town’s history also stretches far back: Alcolea de Calatrava originated in the Islamic period. In the 13th century, it became the seat of a commandery of the Order of Calatrava; this status is documented at least as early as 1285. The parish church tower belongs to Purismo Renacentista, a style that developed in the second third of the 16th century.
Festivals and Local Traditions
The celebration in honour of Saint Scholastica takes place on 10 February. It includes a procession with the traditional distribution of Saint Scholastica’s gifts, a fireworks display in the square, folk dancing and games for all ages. If you would like to combine your visit with this celebration, you can take the date into account when planning your trip.
There are also local traditions with set dates in May: the Mayo de la ventana song is performed at dawn on 1 May. El Mayo a la Cruz is celebrated at the local hermitage on the evening of 3 May. The two customs therefore take place on different days and at different times of day.
Discover more destinations: Villamayor De Calatrava, Manzanares, Tomelloso, Alhambra, El Robledo, Terrinches, Fernán Caballero, Daimiel
For the main travel overview: Ciudad Real.
