Stage 9: Valtablado del Río - Trillo

The path leaves Valtablado del Río behind along the GU-929. The first few metres run near the paved road, with Gallego Fountain to the left, and continue onward until it cross the Tagus via the Valtablado stone bridge. Immediately after crossing the bridge, the route moves away from the paved road onto a vehicle track leading to town of Oter. Black pines (Pinus nigra), holm oaks (Quercus ilex) and rosemary bushes (Rosmarinus officinalis) alternate with crop farms and small market gardens.

Although Portuguese oak forests dominate the land, a few pine trees dot the forest, towering over the smaller oak clusters. Despite many interStages, the route continues ahead always on the main path, which runs wedged in by, and very close to, streams that empty into the Tagus. This area is physically characterized by impressive gorges and canyons formed by the river. Although the route leaves behind the Alto Tajo Nature Park, much of it still traverses through the namesake Site of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA).

The track crosses over the Hoz Brook and arrives at the town of Oter. This town, blessed with areas of great natural beauty, is part of the GR-10 that connects the neighbouring towns of Valtablado del Río and Carrascosa de Tajo. Although the traveller can rest in this town, the route itself continues, exiting the town near a farm building.

About 500 m further on, flanked by farms on one side and a mountain slope on the other, the Trail arrives at a junction where it bears right onto a path that traverses through a more homogeneous forest landscape. Further on, the Trail narrows and merges onto a bridle path that was used to link villages and transport supplies and goods on horseback, as it is too narrow for vehicles. The route continues to climb along the slope with the steepest gradient, zigzagging until it levels at almost 1,050 m above sea level.

The route continues along a trail that runs for more than three kilometres along this line until Carrascosa del Tajo; a small town with a rich history, successively inhabited by Celts, Romans, Visigoths and Muslims. The current town was founded in the twelfth century. The Trail enters the town via the GU-942, and exits onto the road leading directly to the River Tagus.

The route will cross three waterways in this part of the journey: twice the Palomar Brook, the second time near the Roman ruins at Murel Bridge and the new dam, and once the River Tagus. It then arrives at the Fuente recreation area on the left bank of the Tagus, and to the right of the bridge, where one can rest and recover under the shade of black poplars (Populus nigra).

The Trail continues parallel to the Tagus, always along the left bank, and even though it sometimes drifts away from the river, it is still the best guide to reach Trillo, the endpoint of this Stage.

Strolling downstream, the route climbs along a track with a quarry to the right, until it reaches a sign indicating a path to the right leading down to the river. The route temporarily moves away from the Tagus, turning left towards a farm, and further on, continues along a narrow path during approximately 1.3 km. The path widens on arriving near the river, and continues forth. After a long walk along the left bank of the Tagus, sometimes on a narrow angler's path, the Stage drifts away again from the river to arrive at the CM-2115, on which it proceeds until nearly the end of the Stage.

Finally, the Trail turns away from the CM-2115 onto a paved road to the right leading to Trillo, the endpoint of this Stage.