At Puente de Avellanar there is a natural pool, about 2 km from the village. Two routes also pass this bridge: a linear walking and running route and a circular mountain biking route. They differ significantly in length and format—a useful guide for anyone planning activities around Avellanar.

The Ruta de las Alquerías: a linear route on foot or running

The Ruta de las Alquerías is a 17.1 km linear route along an unpaved track, which can be done in one direction on foot or running. It starts at the Volvedero de Aldehuela and ends at the square in Pinofranqueado. Most of the route follows the right bank of the Río Esperabán. It is well maintained and marked with white and yellow trail markers. At Puente de Avellanar, the route reaches its halfway point at kilometre 8.6. This pinpoints the bridge within the route.

A different route format: mountain biking on unpaved tracks

The Valle del Esperabán - Memorial Pedro Vicente route is a 59 km circular mountain biking route on unpaved tracks. It also passes Puente de Avellanar and runs along slopes at an altitude of 500 to 600 metres. Compared with the Ruta de las Alquerías, both the stated length and the route format are different: here, a circular route contrasts with a linear one, and the activity is mountain biking rather than walking or running. These differences make it easier to distinguish the two options by activity and route format.

Getting there and streets in the village

From Pinofranqueado, you can reach Avellanar via the CC-156 road. After about 7 km, there is a turnoff for Avellanar; the final roughly 2 km are along a narrow, winding road. In the village itself, the narrow streets are not accessible to cars. They were originally laid out for the only means of transport at the time: animals, especially mules, donkeys and burros. When planning your arrival, it is therefore helpful to distinguish between the drive to the village and finding your way around its narrow streets.

You should also keep mobile phone reception in mind in Avellanar: there are coverage issues there. If you rely on mobile information while visiting, take this limitation into account when planning. Coverage may change over time.

Forests and river landscape

Avellanar has forests of conifers, chestnut trees and cherry trees. A walk through these forests is one of the activities available and offers another way to explore the area alongside the named routes. The area’s agricultural history is also part of the landscape: the Río Avellanar was once used to irrigate Avellanar’s fields and orchards. These have now largely been abandoned. The forest landscape and traces of earlier land use thus sit side by side, without implying the existence of another signposted route.

Place name and traditional architecture

The name Avellanar is thought to be linked to the former abundance of hazel trees. The inhabitants were known as “montesinos” because they spent a lot of time in the mountains and looked after cherry, chestnut and hazel trees. The term reflects the connection between mountain life and working with trees. Avellanar has also preserved areas of highly valuable traditional folk architecture. Forests, earlier agricultural use and architecture thus offer different perspectives on the village and its history.

For the wider travel overview: Pinofranqueado.