Journey
Circular
Way
  • On foot (5 h.)
Length
17 kms.
Ascent slope
550 m.
Recommended
  • spring
  • autumn
Difficulty of the route
High

The Paleozoic massif of the Sierra de Carpurias penetrates the province of Zamora from Leon in a northeast-southwest direction. With an altitude close to 1000 meters above a plain landscape, it has been a space for defense and control of the territory since ancient times. Currently it is the hallmark of a series of towns in the Benavente and Los Valles region and more specifically the Eria and Vidriales valleys.

The route begins and ends in the Plaza de la Iglesia de Morales del Rey, and runs along paths among pines, holm oaks, oaks and gall oaks in Morales del Rey and Santa María de la Vega . The route is divided into three rings suitable for any level.

  • The first ring runs entirely through "El Teso" and "Pe?a Redonda", the two peaks of Morales del Rey.
  • The second ring starts from the Morales del Rey cemetery and surrounds the Sierra de Verdenosa.
  • The third ring starts from the Camino de Brime de Urz and ascends to Carpurias Peak.

In addition to the traditional wineries of Morales del Rey, the route has several viewpoints from which to contemplate the plain, the Cantabrian Mountains and the Montes de Leon. One of the most spectacular views is found at Pico Carpurias , from where you can see the Asturian fort of "Las Labradas" and the wind farm that receives the same name.

The following unique elements within the route are worth highlighting:

  • The Cueva del Lobo , in the municipality of Santa María de la Vega, is a cavity in the quartzite rock. It is located on the southern slope of the Sierra de Verdenosa and according to oral tradition it connected with the Castillo de la Mota de Benavente and the neighboring town of Morales del Rey. To access it you have to make the second ring.

  • The cork oak is the tree from which cork is obtained. In Morales del Rey, when descending Peña Redonda, there are several of these specimens protected by the unique tree known as the Centenary Cork Oak (No. 7).

  • The temporary lagoons (Las Pedreras) located in "El Teso" are pools dug by man in previous times to supply sheep and goats. Today these pools lack their original use and are home to a high diversity of plant species such as dog rose, piorno, heather, holm oak and reed.

  • The Balcón de Basilia was the place where the young people of Morales del Rey went to have a snack to celebrate the Tortillero every April 25. From the balcony there is one of the best panoramic views of Morales del Rey and the entire route.

Get to know the surroundings

Within a radius of

    Address and map location

    • Postal address Morales de Rey. NaN. Zamora
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