Stage 30: Valverde de Mérida - La Zarza

Bird and game species abound in this wonderful natural setting next to the river. The Trail runs within the “Guadiana Alto-Zújar” SCI (Site of Community Importance). Cornalvo and Sierra Bermeja Nature Park, which comprises 10,000 ha of interesting flora and fauna endemic to the Extremaduran dehesa, is well worth a visit.

One can witness the contrast between vast fields of rice and corn, olive groves, orchards, vineyards and magnificent oak trees on dehesas where sheep graze. However, the River Guadiana is still central to the landscape and the livelihood of farmers, who have seen their lives improve owing to the vast expanses of irrigated land. Most of the land is cultivated and irrigated with water from the River Zújar.

Villagonzalo, which can be seen near the left bank of the Guadiana, has closer ties with Guareña than with Mérida. The town, which sits high atop a vast plain, is surrounded by mountain ranges and hills, including Los Cantos and Hospital. The territory is drained by the River Guadiana, and the Caballo and San Juan creeks.

The main route, which is mostly flat with an occasional gentle slope, continues along a clearly marked, paved road, flanked by olive groves. It soon turns sharply to the right towards the banks of the River Guadiana. The route crosses under the railroad tracks, then continues left parallel to them and a road, until the paved road becomes a dirt road. The Trail continues along this dirt road towards the river, and then runs downstream parallel to its left bank during about 1.6 km.

The route reaches the railroad again, next to a rest area and a catch-and-release fishing zone. The “Corredores ecofluviales de la provincia de Badajoz” trails, which are part of the Extremadura Nature Trail network, traverses through this area. After crossing below the road and continuing to the left, there is a dirt road leading to La Zarza. The road is now paved and continues for about 1.7 km to the Zújar Canal Aqueduct, which it crosses via an overpass.

From here to the edge of the town, the route continues along a road flanked by cornfields that leads to an intersection with the EX-105 to La Zarza. Caution should be exercised when crossing the road. The town sits next to Calvario Mountain Range, very close to the where the River Matachel empties into the Guadiana, and near Alange Dam. The town has extremely steep streets owing to its location on the foothills. Indeed, the town is divided into two sections: the upper Stage where the locals live is the oldest; and the lower, modern Stage is inhabited by "chumberos". This Stage ends in the town’s rest area, next to a few panels with information about the county.

The mountain range popularly known as "Las Calderitas" is home to some interesting rock paintings. Although the access is conveniently signposted, the visitor may contact La Zarza's town hall for further information and instructions on how to get there.