El Hornillo lies in the Valle del Tiétar on the southern slopes of the Sierra de Gredos. Pine forests and terraced plantings surround the town, where cherry, chestnut and walnut trees, along with other fruit trees, grow. River trails, access to the mountains and historic details give a stay here its varied character.
Landscape on the Southern Slopes
El Hornillo is one of the municipalities in the Sierra de Gredos Regional Park. Across the regional park, the landscape includes lagoons, cirques, gorges, rock formations and moraine deposits shaped by glacial erosion. These natural features describe the wider park, while terraced plantings and pine forests surround the town itself. A gorge beside El Hornillo has numerous pools.
The Piscina Natural en el Río Cantos is on the Río Cantos, whose water is considered crystal clear. The Senda de las Escarilluelas begins at the Piscina Natural. You can reach the bathing area after a short walk through the streets of El Hornillo. This makes it possible to combine a riverside outing with a trail that starts right in town.
River Trails and Access to Puerto del Peón
The Senda de las Escarilluelas runs parallel to the Río Cantos, is considered an easy trail and takes about 40 minutes. Along this trail, you can reach Charco de la Tabla after about ten minutes of walking; the site is considered easily accessible for bathing. The route also includes a wooden zigzag bridge over the river. It is set beneath poplar trees that provide shade. The river, bathing spot and bridge are all useful landmarks along the way.
The Prado de Mingo Fernando route leads from El Hornillo to Puerto del Peón and provides access to the peaks of the Sierra de Gredos. Another starting point for the PR-AV 18 Senda del Puerto del Peón is Reguero Hornillo, at kilometre 6 of the road from Hoyos del Espino to the access platform for the Circo de Gredos. The PR-AV 18 can be hiked year-round; in winter, sections can be dangerous because of snow, blizzards or fog. Take this restriction into account when planning your hike.
You can reach the Plataforma Domingo Fernando from El Hornillo via the La Francisca forest track. At the platform, you can park your vehicle and begin the ascent to Puerto del Peón. In the area of the same name in El Hornillo, on the Río Cantos and surrounded by resin pines, stands the Refugio de Domingo Fernando, an unstaffed mountain refuge.
Cherry Blossoms and Local History
The Hanami experience in the Valle del Tiétar takes place around early April: nearly 50,000 cherry trees bloom there for about two weeks. The timing varies from year to year. Trails through the blossoming cherry trees link El Hornillo, El Arenal and Guisando. El Hornillo is also one of the municipalities in the province of Ávila where cherry production is concentrated.
Distinctive historic details can also be found in town. The main square retains its wooden arcades. Traditional houses in the nearby neighbourhoods of El Hornillo combine stone, wood and adobe, and their balconies are filled with flowers. Some traditional houses used partitioned areas on the ground floor as stables for horses, mules and donkeys.
From 1393 to 1732, El Hornillo belonged to the territory of Arenas de San Pedro; in 1732, the town was granted the title of villa. The Rollo de Jurisdicción commemorates the judicial autonomy achieved under King Fernando VI in the 18th century. The structure was moved to Puente Nuevo, the entrance to El Hornillo. The Fuentes y pilones were built in the early 20th century and supplied residents with water for cooking, drinking and washing, before homes had running water.
The Mirador Estelar de La Risquera is a place to spend a night beneath the starry sky, very close to town. It complements the riverside trails and local history with a chance to experience the outdoors in a different way.
Discover more destinations: Cebreros, Arévalo, La Serrada, Navalperal De Tormes, Villanueva De Ávila, Pedro Bernardo, Hoyos Del Espino, Pradosegar
For the main travel overview: Avila.
