Stage 19: Poblado de Guadisa - Castilblanco

The Stage begins at Poblado de Guadisa, a hamlet built to house the workers at Cíjara Dam, whose diversion dam can be seen from the town. The Stage takes the paved road flanked by holm oaks (Quercus ilex) leading to the intersection with the N-502. At this point, the Trail is interrupted for just over one-kilometre, as it runs along the N-502 until it reaches the dam. It then turns onto the crest road, with stunning views of the River Guadiana as it flows downstream between holm oak forests, somewhat slowed by the reservoir.

On the opposite side of the crest road, the Trail continues along the southbound paved road to the right, ignoring the road to Helechosa de los Montes. The path never loses sight of the dam, which dominates the landscape, until it disappears during the climb down along a rocky, dirt track. The left slope is populated with stone pines (Pinus pinea), and rock rose (Cistus sp.). thickets. As the route continues its descent, the pinewood gives way to holm oaks mixed with an occasional stand or isolated cork oak(Quercus suber) easily identified by the light green leaves and, in particular, the reddish de-corked bark.

From here, the Trail traverses always through holm oak forests, sometimes as dehesas on grass, and at other times as a more or less pure, dense wood. The dehesas have large deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama), populations; however, they try to avoid contact with humans. They clearly prefer oak forests to pinewoods. In spring and autumn, the green forested meadows are a feast for the eye. In the late summer, the grunt of deer and fallow deer during the rut dominates all other sounds in the forest, offering a spectacular collection of sounds. The antlers of the bucks are biggest before the rut, and can be easily seen in the distance.

In the stretches where the Trail climbs up close to the River Guadiana, one may enjoy beautiful, sweeping views of the river through clearings in the scrub, and maybe, even catch a glimpse of deer or fallow deer drinking water.

Aside from the deer population, the different varieties of oak are the other main attraction of this Stage until the Cíjara palatial house. Worthy of note is the short stretch through the flood plains, between Mesa de los Toros and La Mata, where the slopes are covered with creeping oaks mixed with many other species, including wild olive (Olea europaea var. sylvestris), yellow broom (Retama sphaerocarpa), lentisc(Pistacia lentiscus) or kermes oak (Quercus coccifera).

The road reaches Cíjara Palace, where one can see for the first time the namesake reservoir. The palace is a unique building located atop a hill near the reservoir. A short path leads to the surrounding area. Not only is the building at this site worth a visit, but also the landscape from the viewpoint near the Guadiana. Past the palace, the Trail continues along the reservoir, moving to and from it as the route winds in and out of the branches and ravines on the southern side. There are countless streams along the route, with many small bridges.

Near the end of this stretch, along the reservoir's service road, one can see holm oak formations on superficial slate soil. In the final stretch, before the Trail converges with Stage 20 on the N-502, is a beautiful view of the bridge over the reservoir.

The route turns 90º and continues north along the N-502. From here, it traverses through holm oak dehesas on pastures until Castilblanco, where the Stage ends at the town centre. For safety reasons, and until alternative routes are available, it is advisable to avoid walking the stretch of the Trail that runs along the N-502. It is worth reading the first paragraphs on the next Stage for a more detailed description of this common stretch.