THE LAS BATUECAS NATURAL PARK, SALAMANCA
The Batuecas Natural Park is located in the Sierra de Francia, south of the province of Salamanca. In a space of great landscape value where the surface of the plain contrasts with the deep canyons that the river network has been carving and which can represent a difference in level, with respect to the peneplain, of 200 meters. In 2000 it was declared a protected area and although the highest peak is Hastiala with 1735 meters, the most famous is Peña de Francia, with 1726 meters.
Four of the towns that are enclosed in this unique environment were also declared Historical-Artistic Sites: La Alberca, Miranda del Castañar, San Martin del Castañar and Mogarraz.
Hiking through El Chorro de las Batuecas
The Batuecas Natural Park, together with the Sierra de Francia, offer endless possibilities for hiking experiences since there are many routes that run through these landscapes, being a great tourist reference due to the number of traditional places and municipalities in the area that can be visited. One of these best-known trekking routes is El Chorro de las Batuecas, already on the border with the province of Cáceres, starting at the Monastery of San José de las Batuecas. Passing through a valley full of thick vegetation, the tranquility, isolation and beauty leave anyone who does it with their mouth open.
The Batuecas Valley has a Mediterranean microclimate so some of the trees seen along this hiking route include cork oaks, holm oaks, strawberry trees, heather and cistus. An ideal way to enjoy the landscapes that nature offers us and that we would not be able to know otherwise.
On this hiking route, some of the most popular and famous elements that can be seen there are the cave paintings of the "Canchal de las Cabras Pintadas", a natural cave that has several cave paintings from the Neolithic and that are characterized by their marked symbolic content. , other paintings in the "Canchal del Zarzalón" and also in the "Canchal de la Umbría del Cristo".
History, culture, nature and sport come together and offering us a pleasant experience to enjoy alone or in company. Do you dare to get to know the area?
