| SALAMANCA'S STONE VILLAGES | Go to PUENTE HOME PAGE |
| South of
Salamanca lies a pretty area of low mountains with quaint stone towns. Tourism has arrived
in some of the towns, but others seem almost lost from the modern world. You might see a
blacksmith shoeing a horse; a herd of goats, each returning to its own stable in town
after a day grazing in the hills; a townsman in typical dress leading a donkey. After walking on country lanes between towns you
can feast on the excellent local sausage, cheese, delicious honey-almond candy, and
cookies. To balance this rural atmosphere, we suggest some time in the classic cities of Salamanca and Avila, two of Spain's Unesco-designated World Heritage sites. For a different twist, visit Ciudad Rodrigo, almost as pretty as Salamanca but much less touristy, or a pre-Roman archeological site. With a little planning, you can also fit in a visit to a goat-cheese producer or a honey maker. |
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| more photos this area | |
| BEST TIME OF YEAR: | April - June + September - October. Outer ends have a small risk of poor weather, but that risk is offset by spring wildflowers and the beginning of fall crispness. |
| SUGGESTED TRIP: | 4 - 7 days walking, includes some time for Salamanca + Avila. Could be suitable for biking, though paved roads are narrow and dirt roads do not always have bikeable surface. |
| DESCRIPTION TERRAIN / DIFFICULTY: | Ascents are not too challenging, unless climbing the minor peak in the area or crossing one of the streams at an especially deep part of its valley. Fairly long town to town routes can be planned, with pickup at intermediate points to accomodate different levels of ability in the same group. |
| SUGGESTED MEET / DEPART: | Salamanca or Madrid |
| SUGGESTED GROUP SIZE: | Depends on trip. One village hotel is tiny, limiting group to 13 people. If route does not include overnight in that village, suggested maximum is 20 people. |