Guijo De Santa Bárbara – Nature, Trails and Traditions

The steep and rugged mountain landscape of Guijo de Santa Bárbara offers views of the Garganta de Jaranda.

Other places: Villanueva De La Vera, Grimaldo, Calzadilla, Casas Del Monte, Pedroso De Acim, Jarilla, Torrecillas De La Tiesa, Abadía

Nature

The Ruta del Trabuquete is a 12-kilometre hike of moderate to high difficulty. It connects Guijo de Santa Bárbara with Portillo de Jaranda along the Garganta Jaranda.

Along the Garganta Jaranda, the pools there become natural bathing pools in summer.

Charco del Trabuquete is a natural bathing pool accessible from Guijo de Santa Bárbara via an approximately 3-kilometre path along the Garganta de Jaranda.

Charco de la Máquina is a natural bathing pool on the Garganta Jaranda near Guijo de Santa Bárbara, located just a few metres from the road between Guijo and Jarandilla de la Vera.

From the upper part of Guijo de Santa Bárbara, Charco Calajomero can be reached on foot in around 20 minutes with hardly any change in elevation.

Different route lengths and a stated walking time provide various timeframes for planning your own visit.

The Ruta del Refugio de las Nieves leads to the Refugio de la Virgen de las Nieves, considered the highest religious building in Extremadura. The route also connects with the Camino de Castilla, an old route used for transhumance and food trade with the neighbouring province of Ávila.

The Centro de Interpretación de la Reserva Regional de Caza “La Sierra” explains the geography, vegetation and wildlife of the protected area, with a focus on the Spanish ibex.

Culture

The Centro de Interpretación de la Reserva Regional de Caza “La Sierra” is a public cultural building owned by the Junta de Extremadura and publicly managed.

The Iglesia Parroquial Nuestra Señora del Socorro was built in the 18th century. It houses a carved figure of Santa Bárbara, a Mudéjar-style ceiling and embroidered cloaks honouring Santa Bárbara.

The traditional architecture of Guijo de Santa Bárbara includes typical houses in Barrio Viriato, on Calle de la Iglesia and at Plaza de D. Antonio.

The Lavadero público is a preserved traditional washhouse that formerly served as a meeting place for the women of Guijo de Santa Bárbara.

The Ermita de Ntra. Sra. de las Nieves was built at Collado Alto in the 1960s and has rooms with a kitchen serving as accommodation for mountaineers and shepherds.

The Plaza de toros de Guijo is a stone enclosure used during the festivities in mid-August for the traditional Vaquillas.

Festivals

Los Campanillos takes place on 7 December with a bell procession through Guijo de Santa Bárbara. This tradition attracts locals and tourists every year.

The Fiestas Virgen de las Nieves on 5 August include a pilgrimage from Guijo de Santa Bárbara to the mountain refuge of the same name and the traditional descent to Charco del Trabuquete.

The Fiestas de Agosto include traditional Vaquillas at the local Plaza de toros on 14 and 15 August.

The Fiestas Patronales de Santa Bárbara include dancers, a procession on 4 December, Buñuelos and “Flores” with chocolate, as well as music, liqueurs and dancing.

Sabores del Guijo - Casa Alonso at C/ Carretera Nueva 18 in Guijo de Santa Bárbara produces natural, traditionally made liqueurs, jams, quince paste, fruit vinegars and fruit syrups.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cáceres.