Walking in the Sierra de Montánchez

There is a huge, centuries old, tradition of walking in Extremadura. While people used to walk everywhere of necessity, today much of the walking is for pleasure. The evening paseo is alive and well in the smallest village and many of these also have walking groups. They get together on Sundays and holidays to explore the countryside, discover new paths, keep existing ones open and simply to walk in one of Europe's most unspoiled areas.

The Sierra de Montánchez, in Cáceres Province, lies at the very heart of Extremadura, in between the rivers Tajo and Guadiana and equidistant from the historic cities of Cáceres, Trujillo and Mérida. It is an excellent place in which to explore Extremadura's natural beauty and its historical wonders.
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​The sierra is made, predominately, of granite and the hills rise from 300m to 994m. It is covered with thousands of interconnecting footpaths, some granite-paved, that provide many enjoyable walks. 

The gentle low-lying pastures and small fincas covered with olives or figs allow a variety of walks to suit most levels of fitness. The high sierra slopes, covered with deciduous oaks and chestnut woods, allow for a more challenging walk. Many of the routes can be extended by linking with another and all-day excursions are possible for people who want to walk all day.

​​The villages of the Sierra de Montánchez each have their own character and many offer places to stay while exploring the area. The bars are welcoming and local produce, eaten in a local restaurant after a long, satisfying walk, is a great way to add to the experience of this area.​

We would like to thank our guest blogger Gisela Radant Wood for sharing her passion, experience and knowledge with our readers. You can purchase a signed copy of her book Walking the Sierras of Extremadura in our Gift Shop.