Peñalén in Alto Tajo – Nature, Mining and Fiesta Ganchera

Peñalén is located in a particularly impressive area of the Parque Natural del Alto Tajo. The natural surroundings include rocky cliffs, pine forests and a river. From Alto del Portillo, there are views across mountains, reddish cliffs and houses with red roofs.

When comparing a holiday apartment in Peñalén, travel dates, room category and cancellation policies can be considered together on the respective offer pages. Nature, culture, trails and the local festival tradition complement one another as different facets of the town.

Nature

Marked trails around Peñalén make it possible to explore waterfalls, natural springs and areas along the Tajo. One hiking trail crosses the Puente de Peñalén and continues on a path on the other side. The section belonging to the Alto Tajo Canyon in the municipalities including Peñalén can be explored along more than 50 kilometres of gravel tracks on foot, by bicycle or in vehicles.

For personal planning, the route across the bridge, the marked trails by the water and the long stretch of tracks can be compared as different route formats. The means of transport mentioned provide objective points of comparison without restricting the landscape to a single way of exploring it.

A section of the track through the Tajo Canyon between Peñalén and Zaorejas is closed to motor vehicles in July and August. El Observario is based in Peñalén and offers nature observation and ethnographic experiences relating to traditional crafts threatened with disappearing.

Culture

The Museo de la Minería de Peñalén presents the history of mining from the Iron Age to the present day and explains how the extracted products were used. It is housed in the former school building of the municipality and offers guided tours by prior arrangement.

The museum focuses particularly on kaolin mining, as well as on measures to reduce its environmental impact and rehabilitate the spoil heaps created in the process.

The parish church of San Juan Bautista was recently rebuilt in the former rural Romanesque style and has a semicircular portal. An inscription on the Puente de Peñalén records that the bridge was built in 1943 by Lucas Sanz and financed by the municipality of Peñalén.

History

The Fiesta Ganchera takes place every year in September, alternating between five municipalities in Alto Tajo, including Peñalén. It commemorates the former trade of the gancheros, who transported timber rafts along the Tajo to the wood-processing facilities of Aranjuez. It is recognised as a festival of regional tourist interest.

Getting There

Peñalén can be reached via the A-2 towards Zaragoza, the N-211 from Alcolea del Pinar, followed by the CM-210 and finally the CM-2101.

Other Places

The same wider area also includes Albares, Zorita De Los Canes, Castejón De Henares, Selas, Alocén, Olmedillas, Campillo De Dueñas and Ablanque.

For the wider travel overview: Guadalajara.