Peñacaballera – Garden Culture, Forest Paths and the Ruta de la Plata

One clearly identifiable place of interest in Peñacaballera is the Coto de Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Puerto de Béjar, which is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest in the Historic Garden category.

Garden and History

The Coto de Nuestra Señora del Carmen was created at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century as a romantic garden influenced by English landscape design. Inside this romantic garden there is now a small milestone of Emperor Constantine; it is believed to have once marked mile 132 of the Vía de la Plata. Peñacaballera is part of the Ruta de la Plata area, an ancient route used by the Romans to reach Galicia. You can view the garden grounds, the milestone and the Ruta de la Plata as three different points of reference for exploring the place.

Landscape and Paths

Peñacaballera is surrounded by oak and chestnut forests; this natural landscape offers opportunities for mountain-bike routes in the BTT style. The Camino hacia Puerto de Béjar is an easy, signposted walking route of about two hours along the former road to Puerto de Béjar. Access is signposted from Calleja de Puerto via the old Las Salvejas path and the Camino Real.

Another signposted path leads from the entrance to Peñacaballera to the 1,234-metre-high Peña del Cuervo and offers views of the Sierra de Béjar and the Valle de Ambroz. The bell tower of the Iglesia de El Salvador can be reached via stairs and offers a view of the town and its surroundings. For planning purposes, the path type, duration, elevation destination, activity and view can be clearly distinguished from one another.

Festivals and Customs

Every year in September, a festival in honour of the Santísimo Cristo de la Victoria takes place at the Ermita del Bendito Cristo de la Victoria, attracting numerous worshippers and visitors who come to venerate the sacred image at the altar. The festival in honour of El Salvador includes a procession with the image of the saint, a mass and a subsequent gathering together in the square. At the Fuente de la Salud, there is a tradition of washing one's face on Midsummer Night.

For scheduling purposes, the annual festivals and Midsummer Night can be distinguished as separate occasions from the garden and path-related topics.

When comparing holiday apartments in Peñacaballera, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages can provide an objective basis for comparison. The period that is the main focus can be matched with the September celebrations, Midsummer Night or a preferred day for the walking route and elevation destination.

More Destinations

San Miguel De Valero, Lumbrales, Villasrubias, Larrodrigo, Aldeagutiérrez, Fuentes De Oñoro, La Hoya, Cristóbal

To the higher-level travel overview: Salamanca.