Camino de las Raíces (Roots Trail)

The Camino de las Raíces (Roots Trail) is an 8 km circular route that starts and ends at La Alberca. It is part of the Art in Nature Trails of the Sierra de Francia, with the code SA1: a walk through the village's municipal area that seeks the origin of its culture and traditions through hermitages, old buildings and natural monuments, with six land art works scattered along the way.

The route

It takes about two and three quarter hours on foot, with 162 m of climb and as much descent, and low difficulty. It can also be done by bicycle. Castilla y León Tourism points out as places of interest the hermitage of Majadas Viejas, the remains of the hermitage of San Marcos and the San Marcos lagoon.

The six land art works are interventions in the landscape itself that, according to Castilla y León Tourism, show human presence in it. They form an open-air art trail, with no hours or entrance fee: you see them as you walk, in the order of the path, and you can stop at each for as long as you like.

Before you set out

Ask for the map at the tourist office, on the Plaza Mayor, or at the Casa del Parque (Park House), on the Las Batuecas road, which has a model of the whole park to get your bearings. Bear in mind that the Casa del Parque, outside summer, is open only from Friday to Sunday, and that in January and until mid-February it is closed. The official listing gives the old town of La Alberca itself as the route's reference point, so you set out on foot from the village, with no need for a car.

It can be done all year, although it is most enjoyable from spring to autumn. One of the Castilla y León Tourism listings recommends it in summer; if you go in July or August, set out early and take water. It suits walking families: the climb is small and it can be shortened by returning the way you came.

Other art trails in the sierra

The Roots Trail is one of several of this kind in the area. From Mogarraz starts the Camino del Agua, circular, 6 km and 255 m of climb, with six more works among oaks and chestnuts, on the stretch towards Monforte de la Sierra; it is described in the listing for Mogarraz. From Miranda del Castañar starts the Camino de los Prodigios, longer and more demanding: 10.2 km, about four hours and 475 m of climb, of medium difficulty, through the Villanueva del Conde area. After walking, take a turn round the old town and Plaza Mayor of La Alberca, the first village in Spain declared a Historic Site, in 1940.