Stage 42: Sanlúcar de Guadiana - Los Romeranos - San Silvestre de Guzmán
Description
Along the beautiful border area
Stage 42 traverses through a variety of high value, winding landscapes. Mountainous terrain alternates with flat areas, always along the border, where the river peeks through occasionally.
The Stage starts at a rural accommodation with an old windmill. The route runs first along a path parallel to the River Guadiana with stunning views. The terrain is mountainous, and can be quite uneven at times.
The main vegetation in the area is eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), olive trees and holm oaks (Quercus ilex), as well as scrub and typical, prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) hedges. The areas closest to the river are dominated by giant reeds (Arundo donax).
The Trail continues until it reaches the right bank of Rivera Grande River, which it crosses via a bridge on the HU-4401, where one can find a rest area. Back on the Trail, the route initially runs parallel to the left bank of the river. The path begins to climb up a very steep slope with beautiful views of the confluence of the Rivera Grande and Guadiana rivers. The route continues up the steep slope until it reaches the highest point in this Stage. The efforts made will be rewarded with a sweeping view of the mountain range along which the Trail runs. The landscape is dotted with holm oaks, wild olive trees (Olea europaea var. sylvestris), and rockrose (Cistus spp.). An occasional deer (Cervus elaphus) may appear as well.
From here, the path heads down for about 500 m along the HU-4401, then turns onto the path to Los Romeranos (5.5 km), and continues towards San Silvestre (17 km).
Past several well-signposted intersections, the route arrives at Los Romeranos Rest Area, at the entrance of a small housing development with the same name, which in the past was a town.
The terrain is now mostly flat, with hardly any elevation changes. The landscape is still mountainous, with large clearings, populated with rockrose, holm oaks and wild olive trees.
The Trail continues towards San Silvestre, drifting slowly away from the River Guadiana. About 1.5 km from this town is Pilar de la Huerta Rest Area, with picnic tables, where one can enjoy a pleasant day outdoors. It also has a recreational area for children. The rest area takes its name from an old watering hole, which still exists, where travellers and farmers took their beasts to drink.
An ancient windmill stands right next to the edge of San Silvestre de Guzmán, to the left of the road. Once inside the town, one can visit the Plaza de España, with a typical 18th century layout, where the parish church with its slender 17th century bell tower stands.
Sites of interest
Profile
MIDE (Method for the Information of Excursions)
Harshness of natural environment- 1. The environment is not risk-free
- 2. There are more than one risk factors
- 3. There are various risk factors
- 4. There are quite a lot of risk factors
- 5. There are many risk factors
Guidance along the route- 1. Well defined trails and crossings
- 2. There is a clearly marked trail and signage
- 3. Requires the identification of geographic features and cardinal points
- 4. Requires off-path navigation
- 5. The trail is interrupted by obstacles that have to be gone around
Route difficulty- 1. Walking on a flat surface
- 2. Trails with different types of path
- 3. Walking on stepped paths or irregular terrain
- 4. The use of hands or jumping over the terrain is necessary
- 5. The use of hands is required to progress
Amount of effort needed- 1. Up to 1 hour of continuous walking
- 2. Between 1 and 3 hours of continuous walking
- 3. Between 3 and 6 hours of continuous walking
- 4. Between 6 and 10 hours of actual walking
- 5. More than 10 hours of continuous walking
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