Discover Navatrasierra: Fossils, Nature and History

Navatrasierra takes you deep into the history of the Earth. The Centro de Interpretación del Fósil de Navatrasierra displays fossil specimens from the Ordovician and Silurian periods, as well as explanatory panels about marine life 450 million years ago. The exhibition also covers trilobites, molluscs, brachiopods, graptolites and trace fossils such as Skolithos, Cruziana and Daedalus.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Navatrasierra, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the offer pages. Which information matters most to you first depends on your own priorities among geology, landscapes, history and festivals.

Nature and Landscape

Navatrasierra is characterised by Mediterranean woodland and scrubland; the endangered Loro tree, also known as Lorera, grows along the mountain streams.

The peat bogs of Hospital del Obispo form a sensitive wetland ecosystem across the entire valley of the Hospital ravine, covering no more than 6,000 m². Because of the risk of sinking and their ecological vulnerability, they must not be entered.

Risco Carbonero can be reached via the CC-20 road from Guadalupe to Navatrasierra; at kilometre 34.5, a forest track branches off to the right and runs via the foot of Cerro Fortificado to the summit.

From Risco Carbonero, the Ibor-Guadalupe anticline area can be viewed to the west and the Guadarranque syncline to the east; at the same time, the viewpoint illustrates the Appalachian relief typical of the region.

The Canchos del Ataque are visible from a roadside viewpoint at kilometre 36.5 of the CC-20 road from Guadalupe to Navatrasierra; there is no direct access to the rocks. Views, routes and natural formations therefore offer different focal points for your personal day planning. Nature observation and landscape features stand side by side as distinct ways of interpreting the area.

Culture and History

Hospital del Obispo served pilgrims travelling to Guadalupe as a historic hostel and resting place; it was of greatest importance in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Part of the building at Hospital del Obispo has been restored; a small chapel in the east wing has been preserved, and the original buttresses are visible on the façade.

Cancho del Ataque owes its name to a battle fought there in 1808 during the War of Independence against French troops. At the entrance to the Hospital valley, the stream that rises there cascades down and forms impressive waterfalls.

Other places: Madrigalejo, Almoharín, Peraleda de la Mata, Erías, Santa Marta De Magasca, El Gordo, Salvatierra De Santiago and Botija.

Festivals and Routes

The patron saint’s festival in honour of Saint Thomas takes place on 21 and 22 December and includes a Mass, a procession of the saint and an auction of the carrying poles.

On the first full weekend in August, popular festivities take place with open-air dances, games and children’s entertainment. Dates and route itineraries highlight different interests for your personal planning.

Route 1 runs through the Sierra de Guadarranquejo, while Route 2 passes through the Sierra de la Palomera.

For the wider travel overview: Cáceres.