Puerto del Pico Roman Road

The Puerto del Pico road crosses the sierra between Cuevas del Valle and the pass, and for centuries was the route linking the Northern Meseta with the Tiétar valley and, beyond, with Toledo and Extremadura. It is one of the best-preserved stretches of cobbled road in Spain, and climbing it on foot means walking where muleteers and livestock passed for centuries.

A road two thousand years old

Turespaña attributes it to the Romans, who used it to link Ávila with Mérida, move troops and take out the metals of Gredos. From the Middle Ages it was above all a transhumance route: flocks went up to the sierra at the start of summer and came down to winter pastures when the cold arrived, and today it is still a livestock route. Muleteers and merchants coming from Andalusia, Talavera and Extremadura towards the Meseta also passed this way. On the climb you will be walking almost always on the original paving.

The route

You walk up from Cuevas del Valle to the pass, about 4 km of steady climb, and come back down the same way: allow about three hours in total. The pass is at 1,389 m, according to Turismo de Castilla y León. The path leaves from the upper part of the village and much of the stretch is cobbled, so wear mountain footwear with a good sole; in the rain the stones are slippery. Hiking guides rate it as moderate difficulty: suitable for children used to walking.

From the top you see the Tiétar valley at your feet. In summer set out early: it is a sunny slope. Bring water and something warm for the time at the pass.

Getting there

Cuevas del Valle is on the N-502 road, between Ávila and Arenas de San Pedro, just below the pass. Park in the village and look for the start of the path in the upper part. If you only want to walk down, another option is to leave one car at the top, at the pass, and another in Cuevas del Valle. For local information, Cuevas del Valle town hall can be reached on 920 391 004.

What to combine

Heading down the valley you soon reach Arenas de San Pedro, with the castle of the Triste Condesa, and the Cuevas del Águila, in Ramacastañas. On the other side of the pass, on the north slope, you head towards Hoyos del Espino and the Laguna Grande.