La Casa del Cabrero (Goater's Hut)
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We are located at the council of Navaescurial, which lies on the easterly side of the long ridge that is known as Sierra de Villafranca near Avila. The mountain offers some fantastic views over the Spanish central plateau and is very rich in wildlife, from its grassy fields near the bottom of the hills to the moors of broom bushes on the top. This particular walk is somewhere in between, across the lush oak forests that cover the slopes.
The trail takes us to an old hut that used to be the home and refuge of the shepherds that came to these latitudes in the summer from further south, looking for greener pastures for the animals. They spent a couple of months here and at the end of the season walked back towards the south of Spain with their herds.
The route is listed as SL (Sendero Local: local trail) and is signalled all along the way with green and white signs, a bit faded in places. It is pretty much circular except for two little branches, at the beginning and the end and it can be walked in either direction.
The track is easy to follow. Some of the waymarks will clarify the route when it is needed, but others are there to point out interesting details which are easy to miss and worth a look. Terrain varies from wide, sandy tracks to stone-paved ones (with loose stones in some areas that can be treacherous) but it is never demanding. The main problem is the water, which makes us slow right down at times, as it floods the path and makes it really muddy.
Spain - North West Spain - Castilla y León - Sierra de Villafranca
Features
Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Mostly Flat, Mountains, Nature Trail, Wildlife, Woodland