El Espinar combines traditional slate architecture with a hilly landscape of leafy ravines and orchards. The roofs of its homes, the parish church, and a small washhouse give concrete form to its building heritage; two hiking routes link the village to different routes and destinations. When planning your trip, you can choose between two distinct highlights: the village’s architecture and the surrounding landscape along the way.
Slate and Traditional Building Styles
El Espinar is considered one of the most important examples of Black Architecture. Traditional homes have roofs with large slate surfaces; their entrances are protected by porches and tejaroces. The parish church is also built of slate masonry. It has a bell gable with an opening for the bell. At the entrance, a covered porch formed by the extension of the roof provides shelter. At the entrance to the village there is also a small covered washhouse over a basin edged with slate slabs. These offer three distinct features through which to appreciate the local architecture: the large house roofs, the church masonry, and the edging of the washhouse basin. Slate links these examples, but takes a different form in each. The contrast is particularly clear at the entrances: homes are protected by porches and tejaroces, while at the church the roof extension forms the covered porch.
Hillside Setting and Views
El Espinar sits on a hill, surrounded by leafy ravines and orchards. From here, there are lovely views across the Jarama River valley. Cerro del JaralĂłn, rising more than 1,000 metres above sea level, towers over El Espinar and Roblelacasa. The RĂo Jaramilla lies on the other side of the mountain massif. The names Jarama and Jaramilla refer to different points of reference: from El Espinar, the view stretches across the Jarama Valley, while the RĂo Jaramilla is on the other side of the massif.
Plan Your Hike and Journey
The two hiking trails differ mainly in their routes and formats. The first stage of the GR 60 passes through Campillejo, El Espinar, and Roblelacasa, and ends in Campillo de Ranas. The PR-GU 09 is a 9 km circular trail connecting the villages of Roblelacasa and El Espinar with the Pozos del Aljibe. When planning, note the differences: the GR 60 focuses on a sequence of stages and ends in Campillo de Ranas, while the PR-GU 09 is a circular route with a set distance and a connection to the Pozos del Aljibe. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
To reach El Espinar, take the CM-101 to Humanes, then the CM-1004 to TamajĂłn, and finally the GU-186, passing through Campillejo. Check current road conditions before travelling.
For the wider travel overview: Campillo De Ranas.
