Free walking tours in Piedralaves and what to see

Must-sees

Piedralaves is in the Tiétar valley, on the southern side of the Sierra de Gredos, surrounded by pine, oak and chestnut woods. The centre is the Plaza de la Constitución, with the Torre del Reloj clock tower, and a few steps away is the late 18th-century church of San Antonio, with a Mudéjar coffered ceiling and a Baroque altarpiece. In front of its door stands the Cruz de los Enamorados, the Lovers' Cross. The hermitage of La Concepción, the village's first church, and the hermitage of San Roque, in its park, complete the walk.

Water is the village's great hallmark. The Nuño Cojo gorge crosses the village from north to south and there are some twenty fountains spread across the El Venero, El Horderón and El Cerrillo neighbourhoods; the Fuente del Venero is the best known. In summer, the La Nieta pool is the place to swim. For walking, the Castañar de La Angostura trail climbs to the El Riscazo viewpoint, with wide views over the valley.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Piedralaves. The activity you can book is a horse ride along the mountain tracks, an easy way to see pine and chestnut woods without a long hike. To explore the village, the tourist office in the Torre del Reloj can advise on routes and fountains, and the waymarked trails are easy to do on your own.

How long to spend

Two or three hours are enough for the village, the church, the hermitages and the fountains. If you add the Castañar de La Angostura trail, allow another half day. In summer, a full day with a swim at La Nieta is the perfect plan, and over a weekend you can visit other villages in the Tiétar valley.

Where to stay

Piedralaves has quite a few rural houses and a small hotel or two, both in the village and on the outskirts, among orchards and pine woods. Sleeping near the centre lets you do everything on foot, while the houses on the outskirts win on views and calm. In summer and on long weekends it fills up, so book ahead; if you cannot find a room, look in Casavieja, La Adrada or Sotillo de la Adrada.