In Tornavacas, historic buildings meet hiking trails that range from a walk of about 2.5 kilometres to a viewpoint to a 28-kilometre linear route. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first consider whether local history, nature or longer hikes should be your main focus.

Church, Bridges and Local History

The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1982. It is predominantly Baroque in style and houses altarpieces from the 16th and 17th centuries. This building therefore brings together a more recent, clearly dated recognition and older works of art from two centuries.

The bridges also lead through different periods of the town’s history. The medieval Puente Cimero provides a crossing over the River Jerte. La Puentecilla dates from the 18th century and crosses the river of the Garganta del Cubo. The Picota, in turn, is a 14th-century structure associated with Tornavacas’s historic Villazgo title.

Hiking Trails and Views

A relatively short route leads to the Mirador del Monte de la Cruz: from the upper part of Tornavacas, you can reach it by walking about 2.5 kilometres along the first section of the PR-CC 3 Minas del Wolframio hiking trail. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

The PR-CC 1 Ruta de Carlos V is a marked, 28-kilometre linear hiking trail in the municipality of Tornavacas. It starts in the town at an altitude of about 860 metres and initially descends along the left bank of the Jerte. It then crosses the Reserva Natural de la Garganta de los Infiernos and passes through varied natural landscapes. Terrain and conditions may change seasonally.

The PR-CC 3 Minas del Wolframio circular hiking trail offers a different format, at 13.5 kilometres long. The route passes the former Santa Ana mine. There, the remains of a mill or ore-crushing facility, as well as the houses of the supervisor and the clerk, are visible. The linear route and stated length of the PR-CC 1 thus clearly differ from the circular PR-CC 3. Check the route details before your hike.

Nature Reserves and Landscape

A large part of the Reserva Natural Garganta de los Infiernos lies within the municipality of Tornavacas. In this nature reserve, you will find visible traces of glacial erosion, numerous waterfalls and cascades, and large pools carved into the rock by water. Conditions at individual water spots may vary seasonally.

Another natural area is the Reserva Regional de Caza La Sierra. Its diverse ecosystems are home to birds of prey from the high mountains and ibex. These descriptions of nature differ from the buildings in the town: here, habitats and wildlife take centre stage, rather than individual historic buildings.

The ruins of the Ermita de Santa María offer views of a landscape and ecologically diverse area near the mouth of the Garganta de San Martín. The ruin status refers to the site itself; the views take in the surrounding landscape.

Visitor Information On Site

The C.I.R.V. Las Cárceles is located in the former prison rooms of the villa and provides a reception, assistance and information service for visitors. The Centro de Interpretación de la Reserva Natural de la Garganta de los Infiernos is housed in the former Hospital de Pobres. Its focus is transhumance and high-mountain ecosystems. If you plan to visit, check current opening arrangements in advance.

You can therefore plan your choices around the things that interest you in Tornavacas: dated architectural history, a shorter walk to a viewpoint, a longer hike, or the landscapes and wildlife of the nature reserves.

Discover more destinations: Zarza La Mayor, Rosalejo, Marchagaz, Navatrasierra, Valverde De La Vera, Talaván, Fresnedoso De Ibor, Perales Del Puerto.

Go to the main travel overview: Cáceres.