A large granite boulder balanced on a granite slab makes La Piedra Montá a distinctive natural feature of Monte Porrino; the rock formation is designated a natural monument. Salvaleón combines features like these with hiking trails and a rich cultural heritage. When planning your trip, you can focus on the dehesa, a hike or the history of the town.

Landscape and Nature in Monte Porrino

Monte Porrino is a 1,700-hectare public dehesa in the municipality of Salvaleón. The area lies between the Sierra Santamaría, the Sierra Monsalud and the Sierra Barbellido. Salvaleón’s natural surroundings are hilly and include dehesa, scrubland and lush, moist vegetation with numerous caves. The Quejigos del Chorrero are also among the area’s natural features: they are designated Árbol Singular.

Various activities are available in Monte Porrino, including hiking, mountain biking, observing fauna and flora, donkey rides and a visit to the Centro de Interpretación de la Dehesa. Check locally how these activities are organised. This lets you weigh up time spent enjoying the landscape against a visit to the interpretation centre when planning your trip, without assuming that both are part of the same programme.

Circular Walks and Routes

The Ruta Circular Monte Porrino is a flat circular walk through the municipal dehesa, among holm and cork oaks. The Ruta del Platonal starts at Plaza de España and follows a circular route back there. It includes two small hills: one near the start and the other almost at the end. The route is considered not very difficult; this assessment may vary depending on conditions. It is listed as taking 3 hours and 30 minutes, though your own walking time may differ. The terrain and time estimate offer useful points of reference when choosing between the two circuits.

The Ruta de los Buitres passes through a dehesa to the vulture crags and offers exceptional views of Nogales and its reservoir. The Ruta de los 12 Apóstoles attracts more than 1,000 hikers each year. Its name comes from twelve centuries-old cork oaks, seven of which remain. The Ruta de los 12 Apóstoles is also linked to a culinary programme: chickpea dishes and ham tastings are often organised afterwards. The schedule and food may vary.

Buildings and History

The parish church of Santa Marta dates from the 16th century. Its main altar is a Neoclassical work involving the sculptors Francisco Gómez and Salvador Muñoz, as well as the painter Sánchez Picaldo. Another trace of the past can be found at the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Aguasantas: it was once a monastery of the Discalced Franciscans, before the monastery was moved to Salvatierra de los Barros in the 17th century.

The megalithic complex of Salvaleón includes up to 13 burial mound structures on the municipal estate of Monteporrino. These include the fenced Dolmen Monteporrino I, also known as Dolmen El Toril. On a nearby hill near Salvaleón, remains of the old castle also survive, including a damaged, imposing square stone tower and some adjoining walls. Together with the church and the hermitage, the megalithic complex offers another perspective on the different historical traces of the area.

Festivals and Dishes

Dishes prepared by the people of Salvaleón include Caldereta de cerdo, Tapa de peladilla, Pringue colorá and various cured meats. Shared meals also play a part in the Romería de San Isidro: the celebration begins with a Mass in the chapel on the municipal estate of Monte Porrino. Afterwards, residents and visitors eat meat, cured meats and other typical dishes there around the fire, accompanied by music.

La Fuga de Menacho combines a hiking route with a theatrical performance in February. If you want to plan your trip around one of these events, check the dates for the relevant year and the latest arrangements. This allows you to plan the hiking trails, buildings and possible festival dates as different focuses for your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Higuera De Llerena, Solana De Los Barros, Entrerríos, Fuente Del Maestre, San Vicente De Alcántara, Villanueva De La Serena, Calera De León, Palomas.

Go to the main travel overview: Badajoz.