Stage 9 of the Nature Trails Network starts in Las Casas and leads to Valverde. The route section at the edge of the village makes tour planning tangible: 2.7 kilometres of paved road are shared with cars. The route also opens up landscapes and destinations in the wider region. Las Casas itself is part of the municipality of Ciudad Real.
Stage 9: fields, river and a detour to the lagoon
Along the stage, cereal fields alternate with olive groves and vineyards. By the Guadiana, marsh vegetation can obscure the water's surface. Both cultivated land and the stretch of river shape the landscape along the route. On the 2.7-kilometre paved section at the edge of the village, the path is shared with cars. Check trail conditions before setting out and follow the current signs; take extra care on the shared section.
A separate 2.7-kilometre route detour leads to the Laguna de La Posadilla in the wider region, outside the settlement of Las Casas. Its volcanic crater contains a lava flow and a lake. The lagoon is part of the protected ZEC area “Lagunas volcánicas del Campo de Calatrava”. As access conditions may change seasonally, it is advisable to check them before visiting. The detour should be distinguished from the stage itself: its stated length does not describe the entire route to Valverde.
Alarcos and the festival traditions of Las Casas
The Alarcos archaeological site is also in the wider region and is one of the destinations reached by Stage 9. The site is open to visitors, as are the complex's workshops. Alarcos was inhabited from the Bronze Age and underwent significant periods of development in Iberian and medieval times. Those interested in the region's history will find several historical eras in one place—as a destination along the stage in its own right, not as a sight in the centre of Las Casas.
In the village itself, the Iglesia Parroquial del Anejo de las Casas on Plaza Iglesia Casas is listed as a building with full, or integral, protection. The patron saint celebrations in Las Casas include a Mass and a procession in honour of the Virgen del Rosario. The exact dates vary from one edition of the celebrations to another.
Local festival cuisine also has a firm place in the annual programme: the annual gastronomic competitions held during the Fiestas Patronales include contests for the best migas, the most Manchegan gachas and the most traditional pisto. Another festival tradition is the Cruces de Mayo in Ciudad Real, which have been celebrated for a long time. In 2026, the Asociación de Mujeres, Deportivo-Cultural Las Casas took part in the events at Plaza de la Iglesia. Dates and programme may vary from year to year.
Accommodation and a stay in Las Casas
Playas del Vicario, a rural tourism complex, is located in Las Casas. Its listed facilities include sports facilities, swimming pools, a spa, a relaxation area with massages, a restaurant and a campsite. Accommodation options include tipis and yurts. The complex therefore offers a specific type of accommodation for travellers interested in this kind of overnight stay, while its facilities also provide a wide range of leisure activities.
Check the complex's current operating and visitor conditions before your visit. For the rest of your planning, there are two distinct options to consider: Stage 9 starts in Las Casas and passes through the described landscape of fields and river; the Laguna de La Posadilla and Alarcos are in the wider region. This way, you can first consider your preferred type of accommodation and then decide which trail and cultural destinations you want to shape your stay.
For the wider travel overview: Ciudad Real.
