ROUTES OF THE JERTE CHERRIES

Every year, when spring arrives the cherry blossom also begins in the Jerte Valley. It is a particular Hanami visited by a large number of tourists, in an environment of natural pools, throats, woods, in addition to an impressive gastronomy.

  • We start the route at the Mirador del Valle del Jerte, in the Port of Tornavacas, considered one of the most impressive points in the north of Extremadura. In it we find typical baskets with cherries to be able to photograph, in addition to stalls with typical products of the Jerte.
  • The next stop is about six kilometers away, is the town of Tornavacas, near Avila, whose borders were historical with the Kingdom of Castile.
  • After that, we got to the town of Jerte, where the Tourist Office is located. The main street of this town are lined with shops, bars and restaurants for a short stop.
  • From here, we will walk some 4 kilometers to the most famous gorge in the valley: The Throat of Hell. The path is not suitable for everyone, since it can have long slopes, to go by car you can ask at the tourist office, still the walking route is worth it, as it reaches the natural pool of Los Pilones.
  • Before starting to descend to the throat, you can see the waterfall from the Mirador Chorrero de la Virgen.
  • The next stop is Cabezuela del Valle, declared a historical-artistic complex, due to the importance of the cherry tree in this town, where the Cherry Museum is located. In this town there are cooperatives where you can buy the famous picotas.
  • The next stop is an optional route of an hour and a half, although it's worth it, to the Garganta de las Nogaledas. Along this route you can see several waterfalls, and it starts in Navaconcejo.
  • From here the circular route begins, that crosses Valdastillas, Piornal, Cabrero and Castañar Houses.
  • Halfway, We recommend stopping at the Mirador de la Memoria, near the town of El Torno, from which you can see the sculptural ensemble of the nude figures looking at the valley, in memory of the victims of the Civil War. After this we can continue to Rebollar, watching the road full of cherry trees.

NATURAL RESERVE GARGANTA DE LOS INFIERNOS

This reserve belongs to the "Network of Protected Natural Areas of Extremadura", Decree declared Medium Reserve 132/1994 of 14 of November, and covers some 7.000 hectares. It is located in the region of Valle del Jerte. The main rocks that we find in this natural reserve are granites y gneis.

Maximum altitudes are reached at two points: one in the Rope of the Infiernillos of 2.281 meters, and another in the Cerro del Estecillo from 2.290 meters, that surround the Garganta de la Serrá. It should also be noted of this natural space, the large number of waterfalls that we found, and the climate offers remarkable contrasts depending on the altitude. In this environment we find diverse vegetation:

  • Deciduous forests: roblemelojo, thorns or hawthorns, strawberry trees, brooms and butcher's broom. Various species of ferns abound in the oak understory, orchids, birdies, columbine, etc.
  • Ribera forests: Along the watercourses there are forests made up of species that need abundant moisture. The three main tree species are: alder, the ash and the willow.
  • Alpine grasslands: In the areas of the mountain peaks, especially in the Garganta de la Serrá, Alpine pastures are formed dominated by the alps or deer. Along with them we can find species such as gentians,vedegambre and serrano saffron. Bonal heather appears in the waterlogged trampans that form., and the sundew or rosolí.
  • Piornales serranos: It is a scrub adapted to adverse conditions and generally with a padded or hemispherical habit.. The broom is the most abundant legume in these formations, more scarce are the cambriones, creeping juniper and alpine laburnum.

FREE ROUTES DURING THE CHERRY IN FLOWER

These routes link some towns in the Jerte Valley with others, and they set off on a specific date at the beginning of spring to tour the cherry blossoms. All routes are connected so when you arrive it is recommended to park your car and at the end return to your parking lot, For this reason, in the towns that host the opening and closing of the Cherry Blossom, special free parking areas will be set up..

It will be reported every year when this free bus service is launched.