Stage 42: Santiago de Alcántara - Herrera de Alcántara
Description
Rivera Aurela
Rivera Aurela is located in western Extremadura, to the south of the River Tagus. The area lies along its namesake river that rises in Sierra de San Pedro, flowing south to north, and empties into the Tagus. There are abundant cork and holm oak forests, with a few riparian galleries.
The Stage sets out from Santiago de Alcántara along the road leading to Herrera de Alcántara. After 1.5 km, it turns onto a wide track with good paving on the right hand side of the road. The unmistakable smell of the rockrose (Cistus sp.) a typical Mediterranean bush, accompanies the traveller throughout most of the route, as well as holm oaks (Quercus ilex).
One can see in the distance the rolling hills along which the winding road leads to Rivera Aurela. Santiago de Alcántara, originally a Roman colony at Eras de Ulloa, was founded gold diggers who searched for gold in the river. Rivera Aurela, declared a Site of Community Importance (SCI), is included in the Natura 2000 Network, and is a protected area within the Tagus International Nature Park.
This Stage's landscape is more rugged, the mountains are steeper and the route descends to the riverbanks via narrow paths that climb back into the hills. The vegetation is slightly different as well, with higher tree and thicket density. After a few kilometres, the track turns into a narrow path that descends steeply, zigzagging down to the bottom of the valley. There is a wooden railing near the river to help prevent slipping on wet stones. The route crosses a wooden bridge over the river. There is again a railing on the opposite side to help climb up the rocky slopes. It is worth stopping on the bridge to rest and enjoy the magnificent views of the river.
The path heads along the opposite side towards an information panel on Rivera Aurela. From here, the path widens into a track that ventures forth amongst eucalyptus (Eucalyptus ssp.). A few abandoned beehives can be found halfway up the hill. If you look back over the route, one can enjoy a stunning view of the path leading down to the river, sandwiched between vegetation. Rolling hills covered with Mediterranean forest stretch as far as the eye can see.
This part of the Stage traverses through eucalyptus forests that alternate with holm oaks until it reaches Herrera de Alcántara. Leaving behind the eucalyptus forest, the Trail ventures into private hunting grounds and sport hunting reserves.
The hunting grounds that dot the route are home to deer (Cervus elaphus) and other game species. There is also a large pig population in this area. Indeed, one may even see some of the Iberian pigs roaming freely.
In this Stage, the gates have a wooden ancillary door to make it easier for the travellers to pass through. The vegetation typical of a dehesa populates the hunting ground.
The track becomes again a path that gradually climbs down through reforestation eucalyptus. The path may be occasionally rocky. The route crosses over a small stream called Regato Negrales via a concrete bridge. Nearby stands a wooden hut with tables and benches where the traveller can rest and admire the beautiful riparian scenery.
After crossing the stream, the path widens again gradually until it becomes a forest track as it approaches the town of Herrera de Alcántara.
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
Featured
Further information
Rivera Aurela SCI
This SCI runs south to north and empties into the Tagus. It links several Natura 2000 Network areas, including the Sierra de San Pedro Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) and SCI, and the Río Tajo Internacional y Riberos SPA, through which the route traverses.
Dolmens
There are several dolmens in the area, including those at Cerro Caldera or Bodegas. Unfortunately, only few remain standing, as dolmens are built with slate, a very fragile stone that is very difficult to preserve.
The Bodegas Dolmen is a megalithic structure consisting of a circular chamber just over two metres in diameter. The Cerro Caldera dolmen is large and in good condition; however, it barely juts out of the ground. The Sesmo Dolmen is located on a gentle slope near the Sesmo farming estate.
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