La Maya between the Tormes and Alhándiga

La Maya lies between the Tormes and Alhándiga rivers and combines nature observation with distinctive walking routes and cultural features. The Santa Teresa Reservoir is located nearby, about 3 kilometres from La Maya. It is considered a meeting place for migratory birds; cranes can be observed there particularly well.

When choosing a holiday apartment in La Maya, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be considered separately. The accommodation decision therefore remains a separate matter alongside the different aspects of the place: nature and birdlife, paths and routes, culture, and the cycle of the year.

Nature and Birdlife

The Ruta de las Grullas is an ornithological route that includes La Maya. Along this route, holm oak groves serve as an important habitat for the birds of the region. The area around La Maya is also suitable for fishing. The birdwatching route, woodland landscape and fishing opportunity represent different ways of experiencing nature and do not have to be combined into a single excursion programme.

Paths and Routes

The walk “La Maya, paseo por la ribera del Alhándiga y la del Tormes” initially follows the Alhándiga River and then the banks of the Tormes. The route runs along both rivers; their names shape La Maya’s geographical classification. The officially approved GR 189 Ruta del Tormes long-distance trail, by contrast, is 50.2 kilometres long, takes 17 hours and has a moderate level of difficulty.

The walk and the long-distance trail differ considerably in terms of route length and time required. Together with the ornithological route and fishing, they do not create a fixed itinerary, but rather a choice of different nature and activity themes. The specific details of length, duration and difficulty clearly distinguish the long trail from the shorter landscape experiences, which have a different focus.

Culture and the Cycle of the Year

The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol is a church in La Maya. The small building was constructed in a simple and plain Mudéjar style. Historically, the pottery house in La Maya also served as a sales outlet for locally made pottery. The church and pottery house thus represent two different facets of the place: sacred architecture and local craftsmanship.

Every year at the end of July, La Maya celebrates the patron saint festivals in honour of Santiago Apóstol. The festival date complements the permanently visible cultural points of reference with a clearly defined period of the year. Mudéjar architecture, pottery and patron saint festivals are independent topics, each with a different temporal and thematic focus.

Getting There

There are two road connections to La Maya. The provincial road DSA-133 leads from the N-630 to La Maya over 0.56 kilometres. The provincial road DSA-212 connects Pedrosillo de los Aires with La Maya over 7.74 kilometres. The two connections have different starting points and distances and should therefore be considered separately.

Further travel destinations are Puerto De Béjar, Galinduste, Vitigudino, Huerta, Monleras, Aldeaseca de la Armuña, San Miguel Del Robledo and Aldehuela De Yeltes.

For the main travel overview: Salamanca.