The Ruta de los Castaños passes through the chestnut forests around Casas del Castañar and is rated easy. There are also cultural sites and viewpoints: you can discover the town on foot, through its landscape, and with an eye to its history. When planning your trip, you can choose between trails through chestnut forests and pastureland and attractions related to architecture, art, and regional history.
Trails through chestnut forests and pastureland
On the Ruta de los Castaños, hikers can also discover the Castro Celta Riscos de Villavieja. The route, chestnut forests, and this historic site come together in an outing that combines landscape and cultural heritage. The easy rating is a specific guide when choosing a route; however, it says nothing about conditions on the day of your visit.
The SL-CC 16 Cordel del Valle takes you through a different landscape. This drovers’ route is used by transhumant herders, particularly cattle farmers from Ávila, who drive their herds from the Sierra de Gredos across the southern Tormantos mountains to the banks of the Tagus. In the San Bernabé section, there is a well-preserved Mediterranean pasture with holm oaks. Here you can encounter a particular part of the pastureland and the tradition of moving herds associated with the route.
The Era de San Bernabé route starts at the picnic area in Parque El Arroyo and leads to a viewpoint with impressive panoramic views over the lower part of the Valle del Jerte. This offers a different focus for planning than the Ruta de los Castaños: the latter highlights chestnut forests and the Castro Celta Riscos de Villavieja, while this route starts at the picnic area and looks out over the valley. Check local trail conditions before setting out.
There is also a viewpoint in the town center: Mirador de las Casas is on the road to Cabrero and offers views over the Valle del Jerte and the surrounding landscape. It provides a different vantage point from the viewpoint on the Era de San Bernabé route. Charco Playa Benidorm is also in Casas del Castañar, on the Jerte River.
Architecture and cultural sites
The Centro de Interpretación y Memorias BioCulturales is an interactive venue where you can learn about 3,000 years of history in the comarca. It also presents the area’s different economic activities and their relationship with nature. Its themes thus bring together regional history, livelihoods, and landscape.
The Museo Etnográfico Temático sobre el Legado de Sayans displays works of art and archaeological remains collected by a doctor over the course of his life. Visits are possible by prior appointment only, so arrange a time in advance. The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista offers a specific architectural detail: its prismatic tower is attached to the outside of the south side of the chancel.
Casas del Castañar also invites you to take a leisurely stroll and admire the traditional architecture of its houses and its street life. This does not require a single designated sightseeing spot: the focus is on the houses and streets as part of the townscape. The EMAC, the Espacio Morán de Arte Contemporáneo, is also located within the municipality. The range of cultural sites therefore extends from regional history and a personal collection to contemporary art.
Discover more destinations: Nuñomoral, Arroyomolinos, Monroy, Herrera De Alcántara, Piornal, Tornavacas, Rebollar, Garciaz.
For an overview of the wider area: Cáceres.
