Discover Salvaleón: Nature, Hiking Routes and Culture

Salvaleón is set in a natural environment with rolling terrain, dehesa, scrubland, lush, humid vegetation and numerous caves. The municipality is home to Monte Porrino, a 1,700-hectare public dehesa between the Sierra Santamaría, Sierra Monsalud and Sierra Barbellido. La Piedra Montá is a natural monument there: a large granite boulder is balanced on a granite slab.

Nature

Activities available at Monte Porrino include hiking, mountain biking, observing the fauna and flora, donkey rides and visiting the Centro de Interpretación de la Dehesa. The Quejigos del Chorrero in Salvaleón are designated as a “Singular Tree”.

Hiking Routes and Events

The Salvaleón Hiking Association “El Encinar” organises several hiking routes each year through different landscapes around Salvaleón. The Ruta del Platonal is a circular route that starts and ends at the Plaza de España in Salvaleón. It includes two small climbs, one at the beginning and another almost at the end of the route, is considered not very difficult and has a stated completion time of 3 hours and 30 minutes.

The Ruta Circular Monte Porrino is a flat circular hike through the municipal Monte Porrino dehesa, among holm and cork oaks. The Ruta de los Buitres passes through a dehesa to the vulture cliffs and offers exceptional views of Nogales and its reservoir.

The Ruta de los 12 Apóstoles takes its name from twelve centuries-old cork oaks, seven of which remain. The annual route attracts more than 1,000 hikers; chickpea dishes and ham tastings are often organised afterwards.

La Fuga de Menacho includes a hiking route and a theatrical performance held in Salvaleón in February. During the Romería de San Isidro, the celebration begins with a mass in the chapel of the Monte Porrino municipal estate. Afterwards, residents and visitors eat meat, cured meats and other typical foods there by the fire, accompanied by music.

Culture and History

The parish church of Santa Marta in Salvaleón dates from the 16th century. Its main altarpiece is a Classicist work to which the woodcarvers Francisco Gómez and Salvador Muñoz and the painter Sánchez Picaldo contributed.

The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Aguasantas was formerly a monastery of the Discalced Franciscans, before the monastery was moved to Salvatierra de los Barros in the 17th century.

The megalithic complex of Salvaleón comprises up to 13 burial-mound elements on the Monteporrino municipal estate. The complex includes the fenced-off Monteporrino I dolmen, located 200 metres to the west and also known as Dolmen El Toril.

The remains of the old Castillo survive on a nearby hill near Salvaleón. They include a damaged, imposing square stone tower and several adjoining walls.

Regional Cuisine

Dishes prepared by the residents of Salvaleón include Caldereta de cerdo, Tapa de peladilla, Pringue colorá and various cured meats.

More destinations

More destinations: Orellana La Vieja, Carmonita, Segura De León, Fuentes De León, Villar Del Rey, Garbayuela, Nogales, Badajoz

To the higher-level travel overview: Badajoz.