Santa María de la Alameda: Nature, Trails and History

Santa María de la Alameda is shaped by the Aceña and Cofio rivers, which form gorges and waterfalls in the local landscape.

Nature

The ZEPA Encinares del río Alberche y río Cofio in Santa María de la Alameda belongs to the Natura 2000 network, covers 82,999 hectares and is an important area for species such as the Spanish imperial eagle, cinereous vulture and black stork.

The Senda del Hornillo runs along the Arroyo Hornillo through riverside vegetation as well as stands of maritime and Scots pine. Along the route to the Mirador Peña del Águila, Spanish imperial eagles, black kites, booted eagles and vultures can be observed.

The mountain parameras of Santa María de la Alameda form a high-altitude sub-ecosystem and offer good opportunities for observing woodland and high-mountain birds, including golden eagles. The Ruta de los Arroyos showcases the paramera vegetation, with broom and juniper, and offers panoramic views of the Sierra de la Panamera and Gredos.

Culture

The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Alameda was built in the 16th century. It has a late Gothic ribbed vault and three naves separated by Tuscan granite columns.

The historic La Estación railway station was built in 1863; the station building and platform have been preserved. The Ruta de los Fortines leads to a recently restored defensive position from the Spanish Civil War on Cerro Manotera.

Trails and Water

The Camino de Navalayegua passes through a forest of Pinus pinaster and leads to the restored forts of El Zorrerón, the upper course of the Río Aceña and the Arroyo de El Tobar.

The Charco-Mato route begins in Las Herreras and covers around one kilometre in approximately 30 minutes as an easy walk to the pond. Charco-Mato is a broad pool with a pleasant rocky area that serves as a place to cool off in warm weather.

The El Hornillo circular walk runs from the car park at Puente de la Aceña along a river to the Chorrera del Hornillo waterfall and then climbs between the valleys of the Río Aceña and the Arroyo Hornillo. The Bocanegra route runs from La Estación to a pool surrounded by vegetation and rocks, where swimming is possible in a rural setting.

The Camino de la Cabrera is a linear livestock trail connecting La Estación with Las Herreras; it can be travelled on foot, on horseback or by bicycle. The Itinerario por las Parameras is a challenging 17-kilometre circular walk with an elevation gain of 525 metres. It begins at the Santa María de la Alameda railway station, takes approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes and is partially signposted.

Santa María de la Alameda has numerous designated and signposted routes for hiking, cycling and horse riding. Information on length, duration, difficulty, elevation gain and mode of travel makes the routes comparable in terms of their layout.

History

A short section of the Cañada Real Leonesa and the Colada de la Cruz Verde once ran through Santa María de la Alameda; the Colada crossed the municipality from east to west.

The Camino de los Cuatro follows historic paths between Santa María de la Alameda and Las Navas del Marqués and connects Navalespino with mills on the Río Cofio.

Puente Recondo is a seven-arch railway bridge over the Río Cofio; it spans an elevation difference of 50 metres on both banks and forms part of the railway line between Madrid and Ávila. The abandoned settlement of La Lastra formerly belonged to the municipality of Santa María de la Alameda.

Regional Traditions

Santa María de la Alameda is known for its mushrooms and hosts the Jornadas Micológicas at the beginning of November. At a celebration organised by livestock farmers, participants are offered meat from their own livestock.

Workshops on making gluten-free bread and gluten-free beer are offered in Robledondo.

Getting There

The regional Madrid–Ávila train provides access to Santa María de la Alameda’s La Estación railway station and stops there ten times a day. Bus route C-665 runs via San Lorenzo de El Escorial and stops at Santa María de la Alameda Pueblo and Santa María de la Alameda Estación.

More Destinations

San Martín De Valdeiglesias, Lozoya, Ajalvir, Majadahonda, Velilla De San Antonio, Manjirón, Ciempozuelos, Valdemoro

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