Bright red Terebinth trees line the start of the Calzado Romano

Deciduous oaks (Robles) and Spanish Chestnut trees line the path

The small path on the left goes down to the river while the wider, granite-paved Calzado Romano continues on the right

The soft earth path is deep in fallen Autumn leaves

The path is clear even in the deepest part of the forest

The path coming out from the trees

Forest and River Walk

Information
This route is a tree-lover's delight; wonderful all year-round but spectacular in the Autumn, which, in Extremadura, is best in November. The first part of the walk goes through the historic village of San Martín de Trevejo which has been designated as one of the prettiest villages in Spain. The next part of the walk gently ascends on the Calzado Romano an ancient granite-paved track laid in Roman times and renovated in the Middle Ages. The longest part of the walk goes through the forest and the earth footpath follows the small river for the latter part of the walk.

The Hospedería, Convento San Miguel is well signposted when coming into the village of San Martín de Trevejo on the CC1.1 minor road which is off the larger EX205 linking Hoyos and Valverde del Fresno. Park in the road or in the Hospedería car park. They will be all right with this if you have refreshments after the walk. Last time I walked this route in November 2021 I had a 'Menu del Día' lunch; warm risotto with local wild mushrooms and langoustine with a creamy sauce; then, giant puff pastry shell with a tangy lemon sauce, poached salmon and prawns; for pudding, white chocolate soup with pistachio ice cream. €15.00. Superb!

Start: By the Hospedería, Convento San Miguel 
Finish: As above
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours 
Distance: 5.5 kilometres
Elevation: lowest 575m, highest 777m
Difficulty: low for regular walkers
Route: circular — map by Google

Directions
Walk down the hill, the Camino del Convento, with the convent on your left. Ignore the turning to the right which has a waymark on it for another walk altogether. Continue on the lane and go straight over at the small crossroads. You are now in Calle los Quintos. Turn left into the main street, Calle del Fuerte and walk ahead. Ignore junctions. Calle del Fuerte becomes Calle Puerto. At the T-junction Calle Puerto bends left. Go left. There is a wooden waymark sign with 'Calzado Romano' marked on it. Follow the road which becomes a track at a granite water trough on the right. The track starts to go upwards and becomes granite-paved. Look back for views of San Martín de Trevejo and for the sierra behind it. On the other side of that sierra is Villamiel and Trevejo.

The track bends 90 degrees to the right and then bends again to the left.
1. N40 13; 02.52"  W06 47' 32.68"

Simply follow the track as it ascends.The trees on either side of the track are beautiful in the Autumn with the bright red leaves of the Terebinth trees a vivid splash of colour. As the track goes up it passes a more open area with meadows on the left and views of the Sierra de Eljas beyond trees.
Enter the trees again. Further along the track, on the left, is a path and wooden signpost with directions to the river. Do not take this path as it is a very short cut and misses the best part of the trees completely. Continue on the Calzado Romano and come to two ancient chestnut trees in the track but to the left. No one knows how old they really are but they are considered among the oldest Chestnut trees in Extremadura. They are the Grandfather and Grandmother trees.

Less than 100m after the Chestnut trees there is a Y-junction with a path dropping down on the left. Take this path. It is smaller than the Calzado Romano and it is soft earth and not granite-paved.
2. N40 13' 42.23"  W06 47' 20.76"

The path drops down gently through the trees and it is a lovely part of the walk. In the Autumn the leaves are golden and the path is covered with leaves. In the Spring wild flowers grow on the verges and in the woods because the pale green canopy of leaves allows sunlight to filter down. In the Summer the woods are cool  because the foliage of the trees is thicker.

Keep walking on the path. Occasionally small streams run across the path flowing from right to left. If it has rained a lot in the early Autumn the streams can be crossed by stepping stones but, really, there is never a problem as the streams are not rivers. However, the ground can be a bit boggy in places.

Come to a vague clearing and the path turns sharply to the left and then turns left again to double back in the direction of arrival but lower down.
3. N40 14' 11.18"  W06 47' 09.37"

On the right the river, Río de Vega, can be glimpsed and the water is a constant companion almost all the way back to the starting point. The path continues to descend gently and the occasional streams from the upper path now cross the lower one but flowing from left to right to join the river. It is in this part of the walk, in the deep quiet of the many trees and by the river, that bird activity is likely. Glimpses of the Sierra de Eljas are on the right when the trees are less thick and numerous. From time to time it is possible to access the water and explore the rocks and enjoy the water but bathing is not allowed in the pools as the water is destined for village use.

Pass a wooden signpost on the left that directs you to San Martín de Trevejo. This is the path you passed earlier going to the river. Do not take that path but continue by the river. Gradually come out from the trees. The path becomes wider and the views more open on the right. Small fincas and gardens appear on the right and grazing animals may be seen. Views of the Sierra de Eljas are clearer. Keep on the path and arrive back at the Hospedería, Convento San Miguel and enjoy refreshments.
4. N40 13" 00.00"  W06 48' 12.68"

(If parking at the Hospedería is impossible, park in the spaces outside the Enigma Restaurant or the lay-by opposite. The Enigma is located just outside San Martín de Trevejo on the left and serves excellent snacks, rationes  and tapas. Walk ahead to the village and pick up the route in Calle del Fuerte. On the return pass the convent and follow the directions to Calle del Fuerte and turn right to get back to the Enigma and the lay-by.)

Photographs: November
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Views of the Sierra de Eljas