A 9.9-kilometre circular route connects La Peraleja with the landscape in the northwest of the municipality and the Estepas yesosas de La Alcarria Conquense protected area. It starts and ends next to the Iglesia Parroquial de San Miguel Arcángel. Nature and a notable local landmark therefore meet along the same route, offering two different perspectives on La Peraleja that you can consider together or separately when planning your trip.
Circular Route and Gypsum Landscape
The route runs through the northwest of the municipality, briefly crosses the municipality of Gascueña and enters the ZEC Estepas yesosas de La Alcarria Conquense. La Peraleja is one of the municipalities within this protected area. This precise route is useful if you are interested in the transition between the village and the protected landscape; it does not indicate a specific walking time or level of difficulty.
The ZEC’s distinctive subsoil consists of high-purity gypsum. It supports gypsophilous plant communities—that is, plant communities adapted to gypsum-rich soils. Species mentioned here include Brassica repanda subsp. Gypsicola and Helianthemum marifolium subsp. Conquensis. This natural area can therefore be understood not only by its location, but also by the relationship between its soil and plant life.
The first section of the circular route passes the extensively restored Ermita de San José. Well-preserved Stations of the Cross also mark the way along this section. As trail conditions can change, it is a good idea to check the latest information before setting out.
Church and Architectural History
The Iglesia Parroquial de San Miguel Arcángel is considered the most outstanding example of religious architecture in La Peraleja. Its interior is divided into three naves, separated by eight cylindrical columns. These figures are more than a detail when considering the architecture: they describe how the columns structure the church interior. Records mention the church as early as 1569; this is an early historical reference, not a construction date.
Other buildings also tell of changing times. The modern Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Monte was built over the remains of an earlier hermitage that was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. La Peraleja is also home to Casas cueva, also known as Casillas: artificial caves that were easy to dig into the soft sandstone, marl and clay subsoil. These examples place religious architectural history alongside a building tradition adapted to local materials.
Viewpoint and Surroundings
The Mirador de Nuestra Señora del Monte is located at one of the highest points in the municipality and is part of the Alcarria Conquense network of viewpoints. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Monte is set in wooded surroundings overlooking the Valle de Guadamejud. Together, these details offer an impression of the different landscape features around La Peraleja, without implying that the viewpoint and the hermitage are one and the same.
Festivals Throughout the Year
The Candelaria and San Blas festivals are celebrated on the first weekend in February. They begin at midnight on Friday with the lighting of a bonfire. Candelaria includes a procession; at the San Blas festival, blessed loaves known as caridades or panecillos de San Blas are handed out. The festival of the patron saint, Nuestra Señora del Monte, is celebrated on 8 September.
To conclude the festivities, participants dance the Galopeo, a dance typical of La Peraleja, from the Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel to the square. Dulzainas and drums accompany the dance. If you are planning your trip around a festival, check the exact date and programme in advance: the traditions recur, but the precise arrangements may vary.
Getting There and Choosing Accommodation
La Peraleja is accessible via the CM-310. The CUV-2123 reaches the village from the direction of La Ventosa and Villanueva de Guadamejud. When choosing a holiday rental, you could start by considering what you want your stay to focus on: the circular route and gypsum habitat, the churches and architectural history, or a festival date.
Discover more destinations: Saelices, Villanueva de los Escuderos, El Peral, Carrascosa Del Campo, Buendía, Rada De Haro, Valdemoro-Sierra, Las Valeras.
See the broader travel guide: Cuenca.
