Piornal: Elevation, Hiking Trails and Local Culture

At an elevation of 1,175 metres in the Sierra de Tormantos lies Piornal, the highest-altitude settlement in Extremadura. At the same time, the town is part of the Natura 2000 network.

Nature and Elevation

The Cascada del Caozo plunges more than 30 metres over a granite wall polished by the water and lies in surroundings featuring holm oaks, ash trees and alders. The Cascada del Calderón drops 30 metres over polished rock, forming a small pool.

Hiking Trails

The PR-CC 12 Los Llanos–Calderón circular route is 15.90 kilometres long and starts and ends in Piornal. The PR-CC 13 Ruta a la Peñanegra hiking trail passes the Embalse de Piornal and shortly afterwards reaches the foot of Peñanegra. The PR-CC 14 Ruta del Mojón Blanco reaches the Mojón Blanco; from there, the route offers wide-ranging views of La Vera, according to its description.

Route 3 Birding in Extremadura: La Vera / Valle del Jerte also includes a hiking section leading to the Embalse de Piornal with the Peña Negra rock formation. You can consider the circular route according to its length and the other trails according to the landscape features mentioned for each one.

Culture

The Museo al Aire Libre de las Fachadas Pintadas transforms Piornal’s house façades into large canvases featuring local motifs such as waterfalls, autumn landscapes, cherry blossoms and Jarramplas. The museum comprises 26 façades with themes from the traditions, history, culture and customs of Piornal and the Valle del Jerte.

The Museo de Jarramplas is an interactive museum with digital information panels and screens, sounds and music, as well as traditional objects and festival clothing. During Jarramplas, visitors take part by throwing turnips at the masked festival figure.

The Ermita de la Concepción in Piornal was built from 1740 onwards in honour of the Virgen de la Concepción, the patron saint of Piornal. The chapel contains an 18th-century statue of the Virgen de la Concepción, which is attributed a high artistic value. On the Plaza del Palacio, several columns with architraves, a diocesan coat of arms and a large portal with a straight lintel have been preserved.

Getting Around

The Centro de Interpretación de Jarramplas in Piornal has a lift; access to the entrance is paved. The Centro de Interpretación de Jarramplas offers accessible interactive information panels and audio guides via QR codes.

Piornal was the setting for a stage of La Vuelta 22. Piornal and its surroundings offer opportunities for mountain biking.

Further places for your research: Jaraicejo, Monroy, Bohonal De Ibor, Robledillo De La Vera, Miajadas, Pescueza, Valverde Del Fresno and Villasbuenas de Gata.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Piornal, you can compare the travel period, room category and cancellation conditions on the listing pages. For your own planning, you can consider the landscape, trails and local culture side by side as different areas of focus.

Local Specialties

As part of the Cerecera, cherries and Picotas “Valle del Jerte” are sampled.

For the overarching travel overview: Cáceres.