Discover Nohales: Trails, History and Mediterranean Woodland

Trails and landscape

Nohales can be explored via trails that combine different types of routes with traces of history. A signposted section of the Camino de la Lana, measuring 28.7 kilometres in total, begins in Mohorte and runs through the areas of La Melgosa, Cuenca, Nohales and Tondos. Route 12, “Nohales. Along drovers’ roads and hills”, also starts in Nohales and is an 11-kilometre circular route.

At kilometre 2.6, Route 12 reaches the Cañada Real de Rodrigo Ardaz. It then runs for around 1.5 kilometres through its surrounding area, recalling the importance of this medieval transport route for Cuenca. The route returns to Nohales after crossing the CM-2110 road again, passing the Arroyo del Puente and joining the access road to the village centre. When comparing the trails for your own planning, you can consider their length, circular layout and route as separate points of reference.

History and culture

The Cañada Real de Rodrigo Ardaz was used by transhumant livestock farming and is connected with the historic Ruta de la Lana, which developed from it. Nohales emerged as a settlement through the repopulation of the alfoz of the city of Cuenca during the Reconquista carried out by Christian troops under the leadership of the Castilian King Alfonso VIII.

The Camino del Rey also runs through the area of Nohales. Fernando VII and his entourage used it when travelling from the royal residence in Madrid towards the Balneario del Solán de Cabras. The Camino de Arcos also passes through the area of Nohales and was used to transport the high-quality stone from the quarries of Arcos, which was used to build Cuenca Cathedral.

The church dedicated to Santo Cristo de la Salud is regarded as an important part of Nohales’ local cultural heritage and as a symbol of local identity. The patron-saint festivities in honour of the Santísimo Cristo de la Salud include a procession and a Mass in honour of Cristo de la Salud, the patron saint of Nohales.

Nature

The hiking landscape around Nohales is characterised by Mediterranean woodland. Holm oak is the main tree species; quejigos and kermes oaks are also found. During your exploration, you can consider nature, the history of the trails and local culture as distinct points of focus.

Valdecabras also invites further exploration.

When comparing holiday apartments in Nohales, you can compare the same travel dates, apartment or room category and cancellation conditions on the booking pages. This keeps the search aligned with your own planning details without mixing up the different trail and cultural focuses.

The cultural and historical traces also include structures resembling lime kilns. They were used to obtain lime from limestone through a firing process lasting two to three days.

For the broader travel overview: Cuenca.