01 – Guadalupe – Our Towns

Guadalupe is also an excellent starting point for exploring the Geopark via its historic routes and trails. Notable options include the Camino Real de Guadalupe—an ancient pilgrimage route connecting the town to the areas around Toledo and Madrid—and the Ruta de Alfonso Onceno, which links Guadalupe to Navezuelas, passing through some of the most iconic landscapes in the Las Villuercas region.

Both routes offer the chance to enjoy forests, valleys, and mountains—a landscape of extraordinary natural richness—while following paths steeped in history. It is also well worth exploring the final stretches of the pilgrimage routes that lead to the monastery, particularly the area around the *Humilladero* hermitage.

Additionally, the Geopark’s circular routes are designed to begin and end in the same town, blending hiking, nature, geology, and heritage. The website features trails ranging from 2 to 15 kilometers in length, though it does not currently list a specific circular route starting from Guadalupe.

From Guadalupe, you can delve into the geological history of the Geopark by following the route toward Risco de La Villuerca—the highest peak in the area, reaching an altitude of 1,601 meters.

The journey reveals the characteristics of the Appalachian-style landscape, including its striking folds and rock formations that illustrate the geological evolution of Las Villuercas over millions of years. Access to the peak is via a paved track starting from the mountain pass near the Hermitage of El Humilladero, leading to one of the finest natural viewpoints in Extremadura.

Along the way, you can also explore other heritage sites, such as the *Arca del Agua*—a significant medieval hydraulic structure—and the *Pozo de la Nieve* (snow pit). It is an experience that brings together landscape, geology, history, and heritage in a single excursion.

Guadalupe preserves an exceptional cultural heritage, closely linked to the history of the Royal Monastery and the centuries of pilgrimage that have shaped the life of the town. Key points of interest include the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe, its museums, and the unique Mudéjar-style pavilion in its cloister—all true gems of the artistic heritage of Extremadura.

The visit can continue through La Puebla de Guadalupe, whose historic center retains cobblestone streets, arcades, balconies, and traditional architecture dating from the 14th to the 16th centuries. In the surrounding area, one can also find the Hermitage of the Humilladero—located about four kilometers from the town and a traditional stopping point for pilgrims—as well as the Arca del Agua (a remarkable medieval hydraulic structure) and the Pozo de la Nieve (a 17th-century construction used to store ice throughout the year).

Together, these sites offer insight into the history, traditions, and ingenuity of the generations that once inhabited this land.

The area surrounding Guadalupe offers natural spaces where one can discover the rich landscapes and ecology of the Geopark. Among the most notable are the Guadalupejo River and the Valdegracia ravine; the upper reaches of the river lie just a kilometer from the town itself.

This site is distinguished by its excellent state of preservation and the diversity of its ecosystems. Along the river, one finds gallery forests of willows, ash, poplars, and alders, alongside grasslands and mixed woodlands of holm and cork oaks. The landscape is dominated by mountainous terrain and rock formations that reveal the close connection between the geology and the natural environment of the Las Villuercas region.

The area serves as an ideal setting for enjoying tranquility, observing riparian vegetation, and discovering some of the best-preserved landscapes in the region.

The area surrounding Guadalupe encompasses some of the most compelling geological sites within the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark. The most iconic of these is Risco de La Villuerca—rising to an altitude of 1,601 meters—a spectacular natural vantage point offering views of the characteristic Appalachian-style landscape, defined by its quartzite ridges, valleys, and sweeping folds.

Nearby lie the Guadalupe River and the Valdegracia ravine, a landscape shaped by erosion, notable for the “Los Hollicios” scree slopes, rocky outcrops, and lush riparian forests. Also worth visiting is Collado del Brazo, a natural mountain pass that serves as the watershed divide between the Guadiana and Tagus river basins.

Another unique site is the “Minas del Arca del Agua” (Arca del Agua Mines), where geology and historical engineering converge in a system of tunnels excavated to capture groundwater from La Villuerca. Finally, the Ibor Anticline offers insight into the major tectonic structures that have shaped this territory over millions of years.

A journey through some of the finest examples of the extraordinary geological history hidden within the surroundings of Guadalupe.