Stage 41: Membrío - Santiago de Alcántara

Leaving Membrío behind, the Trail crosses an iron and concrete bridge to continue along a wide, comfortable track. It traverses through the "Rivera de Membrío" Site of Community Importance (SCI), located just outside the town, which connects two areas included in the Natura 2000 network: Sierra de San Pedro and Los Llanos de Brozas. The riverside is dominated by oaks. There is also a large community of Mediterranean turtles (Mauremys leprosa), the most representative reptile of this area.

The Trail ventures through holm oak forests, often dotted by rockrose thickets (Cistus ssp.), which occasionally cover large areas. Holm oaks (Quercus ilex) give way to cork oaks (Quercus suber) while the path continues through private hunting grounds along wide tracks. Attention should be paid to the signs, as it is easy to get lost.

The well-paved path is very easy to walk throughout the whole Stage. As the Trail heads forward, Sierra de San Pedro appears on the horizon. The path runs parallel to the northernmost foothills of this mountain range. The gentle hills and dense tree cover of this protected landscape are easily identifiable on the horizon owing to changes in terrain and vegetation.

Although holm oak is the dominant tree species, the climate and type of soil have enabled the development and distribution of cork oak. Indeed, cork is the main driver of the region's economy. In some places, one can see the beautiful image of recently debarked cork oaks.

One kilometre further on the so-called "Road to Membrío" leading to Carbajo, there is a small town on the foothills of Sierra de Santiago, dominated by olive groves and other fruit trees.

Leaving behind the town on the road to Santiago de Alcántara, the path turns left onto a dirt track that ventures into Sierra de San Pedro.

The vegetation changes significantly here. Although it is still dominated by holm oaks, there are also several other species, including the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), pistachio(Pistacia terebinthus), Laurustinus(Viburnum tinus), tree heath (Erica arborea), hawthorn(Crataegus monogyna) and Iberian pear (Pyrus bourgaeana) which form dense thickets.

The last part of this Stage runs halfway up the hill, with panoramic views of the lowlands to the right. After about four kilometres, the path arrives at Santiago de Alcántara, with its whitewashed houses and narrow streets, and the endpoint of this Stage.