🎵 Audio guide
To the south of Villanueva de la Sierra, beneath high mountains, lies a small valley bound by rolling hillsides where the "Sierra del Pinche" stream runs through the area known as La Dehesa del Carrrascal. This area is a mosaic of colours - patches of scrubland and young forest which, with the arrival of spring, are filled with colour. These are complemented by the many shades of green of the olive trees, grapevines, vegetable gardens, small meadows and the many trees growing along the riverbanks. An incredible spot to take in the magnificent views of the surroundings of Villanueva de la Sierra.
The trail starts beside the Villanueva de la Sierra river, at the bridge at the Carrecía natural pool. For 800m it follows the small road that winds upwards towards the Puerto de Perales (Perales Pass) with stunning views of the area.
On the right we reach a small track. Before taking this track,it is worth pausing for a moment to admire Mount Jálama to the north and the panoramic views of the area through which this trail passes. The track descends steeply and we find ourselves in the valley of La Dehesa del Carrrascal.
We then follow the path uphill, getting deeper into nature following the twists and turns of the trail to a high area with 360º views of the Villanueva de la Sierra river valley, Mount Jálama, the Lágina stream and, of course, the Baldíos valley.
The trail then heads downhill to the Candelera stream, which collects the water from the valley, creating a green corridor of cultivated land, meadows and riverside vegetation, before joining the Villanueva de la Sierra River.
Dejamos a la derecha un desvío y nos adentramos en un mar de olivos “jóvenes” que ocupan antiguas tierras de monte y dehesa en un sin fin de lomas que conforman un paisaje singular. A nuestro lado, limitada por un bello cerramiento de pizarra dejamos una pequeña zona aún de bosque y monte.
La cerca de piedra continua hasta una pequeña zona de huertas y praderas que se pierde a la vista, se trata del pequeño valle que lleva las aguas de la fuente la Peña y se convierte en el arroyo del Galapagar, de forma sinuosa vamos recorriendo las lomas de olivos y monte bajo.
After passing the stream, the trail climbs uphill, once more giving great views of the area. We turn right to head back towards Villanueva de la Sierra, following the track downhill to the Villanueva de la Sierra river. We find ourselves in a lovely spot to relax in the shade of the canopy of riverside trees. As we continue along the trail, we notice more man-made modifications to the environment with granite stone walls enclosing olive groves, vineyards and oak woods.
On the less productive, higher ground there are vineyards and hundred-year-old olive trees, which produce the high-quality Sierra de Gata olive oil. Alongside the stone walls and terraces, there are also the ruins of an old olive mill.