El Hoyo De Pinares lies in the so-called Tierra de Pinares, on the southern slopes of the Sierra del Malagón. Nature and local history can be seen here at different scales: from dense stands of native stone pines and a remarkable individual tree to a parish church, a mill and a former mine. For planning your trip, you can also choose between two hiking trails with distinctly different profiles.
Hiking trails with different profiles
The Ruta Mina Ceferina is 12 kilometres long, has a moderate to high difficulty level and takes four to five hours. It starts at the Área Recreativa El Batán. The Ruta del Agua runs around the Becedas I and II reservoirs, also known as La Puente and Valdedomingo. This trail is easy and accessible, and is suitable for children. The information on the duration and difficulty of the Ruta Mina Ceferina helps you set aside a dedicated block of time for it; the Ruta del Agua offers a different, easy trail profile.
Stone pines and natural heritage
A remarkable individual tree is the Pino Castrejón, a unique stone pine in the municipality. The tree is more than 16 metres tall and has a maximum crown width of 25 metres. El Hoyo De Pinares is also home to one of the few areas in Castilla y León with dense stands of native stone pines. They grow in some places as pure stands and in others mixed with black pines or maritime pines. The natural heritage of El Hoyo De Pinares is part of the Natura 2000 network; the town is also designated a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA). The two reservoirs on the Becedas River enrich the local ecosystem.
Cultural history from the necropolis to the mill
The historic centre is home to the Parish Church of San Miguel Arcángel, a 16th-century church in the Herrerian style. Near San Vicente is a well-preserved Visigothic necropolis with around twenty graves. Another testament to regional history is Mina Ceferina: the former copper, lead and zinc mine dates from the 19th century and is now integrated into its natural surroundings as a geological gem. El Batán is a well-preserved 17th-century grain mill and a point of cultural and historical interest on the Los Molinos route. The various sites and structures point to different chapters in the town’s history, without needing to be combined into a single route.
Pilgrimage, folklore and pine nuts
The traditional Romería de la Virgen de Navaserrada takes place on the last weekend in May at Pasaje del Fresne. The local folk repertoire mainly includes seguidillas and jotas. Pine nuts also feature in the local cuisine: they are considered the most characteristic natural product of El Hoyo De Pinares. They are used in numerous desserts, in meat or fish stews, and in the typical revuelto de morcilla. Local highlights thus range from hiking and natural heritage to festive traditions, music and cuisine.
Discover more destinations: Candeleda, Bohoyo, Pedro Bernardo, Blacha, El Oso, Villatoro, La Serrada, Villanueva De Ávila
For the broader travel overview: Avila.
