The path on the east side of the valley is shaded while the sun strikes the opposite side.
The vegetation is lush and green even in Summer
The dolmen
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Robledillo de Gata
Information This small walk is an optional addition to Walk 5 Robledillo de Gata and Ovejuela, ‘The Sierras of Extremadura’, This walk is on the east side of the river valley, Arroyo de la Garganta. In high Summer, it is possible to start the walk as late as 9.00 and dawdle looking at the view and spotting raptors overhead and finish at 11.00 and the sun is still not high enough to strike the path or the east side of the valley. The sun is all on the west side and very pretty it looks there. It means this walk can be done very comfortably, year-round. The objective of the walk, in addition to the views and pretty flowers, is the dolmen at the head of the river valley. Start: from Walk 5 Start/Finish point Finish: at Walk 5 Start/Finish point (N40°19’20.53" W06°28’24.78”W) Time: 2 hours at most Distance: 4.50 kilometres Elevation: lowest 560m, highest 685m Difficulty: low Route: out and back — map by Google Directions Start from the small car parking area to the west of Robledillo de Gata where Walk 5 starts and finishes. 1. N40° 19’ 20.53" W06° 28’ 24.78” Walk away from the village and westwards along a concrete lane marked by a red and white flash (it is part of the GR10) to pass some information boards on the left. Keep on the concrete lane for 580m to take the second right junction signposted Ermita de San Miguel. 2. N40 19' 19.76" W06 28' 40.58" Pass the hermitage which is on the left and 70m later leave the concrete lane to take the dirt track on the left. The dirt track passes through olive groves on the left and is wide and easy to walk. It is used by olive farmers to access their trees. The going is very slightly up. Reach a vague clearing which is where the olive farmers turn their vehicles around. 3. 40 19' 39.82" W06 28' 43.07" From this point, the track becomes an earth footpath with occasional small slates underfoot. The views are all on the left overlooking a valley created by the Arroyo de la Garganta. The opposite valley side is covered with trees especially pines but also deciduous oaks and junipers. The flowering bushes are varieties of broom including Spanish Heath. Mediterranean Daphnie grows abundantly. Wild flowers were not profuse when I walked in July but foxgloves were plentiful. The footpath winds along the valley side and starts to descend gently. Reach where someone has cut five steps into the footpath to make a small but steep descent more accessible. The footpath ends overlooking the head of the valley and out towards the bigger valley created by the Árrago river. It is quite spectacular considering the altitude is not very high. At the end of the footpath is the Dolmen de Robledillo. 40 20' 12.77" W06 28' 43.79" It is unusual in its construction but the small menhirs used within the structure give it authenticity and it is worth the delightful walk to see it. Retrace steps back to Robledillo de Gata. Photos: July |