By vehicle and on foot
asphalt, concrete and path
Habitats de aves que encontrarás en esta zona:
We start at the entrance of the walking trail (o.p. 01) that leads to the sweet chestnuts and torrent of Calabazas. It hosts typical woodland species such as Golden Oriole, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Melodious Warbler. The first section of the track is excellent for orchids and reptiles such as Schrieber’s Green Lizard.
Returning to the car, continue on the EX-118 in the direction of Guadalupe, towards a picnic area (o.p. 02) looking across the Ibor valley. The olive orchards and patches of scrub have Western Subalpine Warblers, Common Nightingales and Cirl Buntings. Short-toed Eagles can be seen. Continue until the Collado del Humilladero (o.p. 03) that offers a view down to Guadalupe and where we can see Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Jay and Cirl Bunting. We then drive up the road signposted for the Pico de Villuercas. The road climbs through belts of pines, sweet chestnut and finally Pyrenean oak, to a good spot (o.p. 04) to pause and see woodland species like Western Bonelli’s Warbler and Crested Tit, as well as Eurasian Bullfinch in winter and European Honey Buzzard in the summer. Notice-boards along the road provide information about the geological features, as well as offering places to park and watch birds.
At the viewpoint of the Valle Sinclinal del Viejas (o.p. 05), Red-billed Chough can be seen as well as Dartford, Spectacled and Western Subalpine Warblers in the scrub. A short walk leads you to a snow well. Continue onto the summit (o.p. 06) for views from the highest point in the Villuercas (1600 m) where we can look for Common and Blue Rock Thrushes, Rock Bunting and Red-billed Chough. In the winter, groups of Alpine Accentor can be present and Wallcreeper have been found here.
We return to take the small road of las Acebadillas signposted to Navezuelas (o.p. 07), a steep cement road down through a spectacular woodland of Pyrennean oak and cork oak, with scree slopes and past the source of the Almonte River. After passing through Navezuelas and Roturas we reach a picnic site (o.p. 08) which offers a view of the eastern side of the Apreturas del Almonte gorge. From the other side (o.p. 09) there is a spectacular view of the rock face, which is especially good in the afternoon to admire its Griffon Vulture colony, as well as Red-rumped Swallow, Alpine and White-rumped Swifts. The Almonte River here has Grey Wagtail and White-throated Dipper.
The route ends at the village of Cabañas del Castillo, ascending by foot to the castle (o.p. 10), which offers spectacular views and the possibility of seeing Rock Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush, Egyptian Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Black Stork…. and in winter Alpine Accentor.
Calabaza Sweet Chestnut Trees: this spectacular grove of centuries-old sweet chestnut trees has been declared a unique tree of Extremadura.
Castañar de Ibor Cave: one of the six natural monuments of Extremadura, it is one of the caves with the greatest abundance and variety of spelothems in the peninsula.
Royal Monastery of Guadalupe: declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, next to the historical complex of the town of Guadalupe, it is an essential visit.
Snow Well: This old medieval structure was designed to supply ice to the monastic complex of Guadalupe.
Aves que están en el territorio todo el año.
Aves reproductoras que estarán en el territorio durante la primavera y el verano, realizando la migración a sus cuarteles invernales a final del estío.
Aves que no crían en Extremadura, pero que pasan aquí los meses otoñales e invernales.
Aves que utilizan la región como área de paso, desde sus zonas de cría al norte de Extremadura, hasta sus áreas de invernada más al sur.
Consejería de Cultura, Turismo, Jóvenes y Deportes 2025©
