Stage 8: Huertapelayo - Valtablado del Río

This Stage begins at the Huertapelayo bus stop at the entrance of the town. Almost immediately, the route crosses over La Vega Brook and bears right, leaving the hamlet of Huertapelayo behind. The track ascends gradually, but steadily, offering extraordinary views of the valley.

Poplars (Populus spp.) on both riverbanks add a splash of green and yellow to the landscape in early autumn before the leaves begin to fall. The caves that dot the limestone cliffs and escarpments, with their delightful fancy shapes, are home to numerous species. If you completed the previous Stage, you will recognise the path common to both Stages, which ends at the interStage where a sign marks the beginning of Stage 8.

Young black pines (Pinus nigra), junipers(Juniperus communis) and gorse (Genista scorpius) alternate with Portuguese oaks (Quercus faginea) and holm oaks (Quercus ilex), found in the more exposed areas.

After nearly eight kilometres, the route reaches another crossroads where it veers 180º to the right onto a track that climbs slightly in parallel to the previous route until it reaches a new junction. The path to the left leads to a rest area with tables, a fountain and a stone shelter. However, this Stage continues to the right, descending gradually until the path becomes a narrow track.

The route descends through a rocky area where caution should be exercised. Boxwood bushes (Buxus sempervirens) and strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo) accompany the traveller in this stretch.

The path continues up-and-down until it reaches a rest area next to the ruins of a stone bridge known as “El Pontón”. A wide forest track can be seen next to the bridge, along which the route continues for 500 m, before bearing right, at a bend, down a path leading to the Hocino Ravine. The route crosses a wooden footbridge, shown in the image, and turns right onto a narrow path that ventures through a pine forest.

This area floods frequently at times of heavy rainfall, therefore the path may be covered with water.

The landscape along the path remains unchanged for more than five kilometres: a beautiful trail surrounded by rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and strawberry trees, and shaded by pine trees. The Trail approaches and drifts away from the Tagus several times; however, as in other Stages of the Trail, it never completely loses sight of the river. At the end of the Stage, the path runs very close to the left bank of the river.

Near the end of the Stage, the route passes by the ruins of the Molino del Valle, and crosses the Repechos Ravine, to arrive at Valtablado del Río, flanked by crop farms dotted with huge walnut trees (Juglans regia). Valtablado lies on the westernmost edge of the Alto Tajo Nature Park, which is why the area is popularly known as the “Puerta del Alto Tajo” (Gateway to the Upper Tagus). This Stage of the Trail runs through the Alto Tajo Nature Park, Site of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA). From here, the Trail no longer ventures through these protected sites, although the river continues its course towards an equally interesting area: the Alcarria.