SPANISH ROADS&TRIPS IV
- antoniolelc
- 31 oct 2021
- 4 Min. de lectura
Actualizado: 24 ene 2022
Gredos mountains are in the center of Spain between Madrid and Lisbon. Tietar valley at east, Jerte valley at west. I rode around all Gredos except south side. Roads are almost in good condition, twisty and lonely depending in season. They are very touristic zones.
From my home at southeast of Spain I decided to get zone by Tietar valley. Two ports were available. Mijares and Pico. Mijares more "trail" road but not very difficult in the end. Nakeds are able to ride there.
Before Mijares I stoped to see ancient sculptures (Toros de Guisando). I arrived late. They were closed (check time table) so I only was able to see them in distance out of fence. I couldn´t waste time waiting gate open again...I had long journey yet...and I hadn´t would like arrive hotel at night.
Guisando´s Bulls. Mijares Port: Climb from north and descending south getting into Tietar valley.
After descend Mijares port there is a quiet and easy road that crosses Tietar valley. It flows parallel to Tietar river. From Lanzaita to Ramacastañas. Then after Ramacastañas We start to climb another port. Del Pico (Peak port). Road surface conditions in this case is much better than Mijares but not as lonley as it. In fact we cross some villages (Mombeltran and Cuevas del valle) during climbing. I rode now from south to north.
Mombeltran´s Castle. Puerto del Pico background.
After you get Pico port you descent again north heading. You can now ride along north side and parallel to Gredos from east to west. Easy and peaceful road like this:
But I still had enough time and I prefered to get into two special zones. Gredos Mountains are a frontier. They divide south plains/plateaus from north ones in Spain (Castilla la Mancha-Castilla Leon). But you can get deeper inside Gredos (The platform) and climb also a third port in the middle. (Peña negra Port).
Inner and deep part of Gredos, la Plataforma (Platform). Use caution. Cattle and their shits usually are in the road.
Climbing Peña Negra port. Gredos Mountains (north face) background.
Descending Peña negra. North plains of Spain background.
I arrived just in time to hotel. I don´t like ride at night.
Very beatiful and peaceful hotel at El Barco de Avila. I chose this hotel because of free parking (outside private zone) and because it was very close to my next jorney stage: Tornavacas port, Jerte valley and Honduras port...
Leaving hotel early morning. Only 2º temperature. I was afraid of my battery 4 years old... Engine started without issues. I forgot pinlock...so until descending Tornavacas port and got into Jerte valley I didn´t get warmer temperature. I had to ride with my visor open a little to avoid mist on it. Fresh air in my face ginger me up quickly. Road was ok but I relized It also was frost on the contryside.
El Barco de Avila. Barco (Ship). I didn´t see any ship...
Tornavacas port was only descending all way. Barco de Avila is already on the "top". So probably it would be good idea ride this port in reverse way other day...I was very cold and I couldn`t see very well so I only wanted to descend to warmer Jerte valley as soon as possible.
After Jerte valley I climbed Honduras port. Honduras is gate connects Gredos with Batuecas mountains (west extension of Gredos).
Honduras port. This zones are plenty of chestnuts trees...also due to Autumn road is full of chestnuts...
After cross Honduras port you arrive to Hervas village. Hervas is very touristic. There is a museum of old bikes&cars. While coffee time I saw these old Rolls Royces near gas station.
BATUECAS MOUNTAINS
After Hervas I rode looking for Batuecas Mountains. Beautiful landscapes and good surface roads mostly. Also very touristic zone. Portillo port, La Alberca village and Peña Francia monastry were my visits.
La Alberca (Swimming pool) is one of the most beautiful village in Spain.
Batuecas River gorges, Portillo port, La Alberca, Peña de Francia monastry.
After Batuecas I rode across Hurdes region. First of all I had to descent from Monastry. Long descent.
Hurdes region was famous due to its isolation and poverty very years ago.
Cinema director Luis Buñuel showed in his movie "Tierra sin pan" (Land with no bread/food). Nowdays it is touristic zone and richer.
Laundry sink, Hurdano river valley (Casares de las Hurdes background), Gabriel reservoir near la Pesga.
After las Hurdes region I entered into Gredos mountains, crossing Jerte valley again. I got the south face of Gredos: La Vera. I had to climb some ports (trail road) to get there: Valdastilla and Piornal.
Balcony memorial to Spanish civil war, Jerte Valley, Valdastilla Port (Gredos south face background), Garganta la Olla (Pot). Springwaters everywhere in Gredos are use to have refreshing bath in summer. "Pot" in the rock of river provide good swimming pool. La "Serrana Balcony" (Garganta la Olla background), German military cemetery (1º and 2º world war).
I arrived to my hotel in Cuacos de Yuste. Yuste is famous due to its Monastry. Charles V of Habsburg, one of the most important Spanish kings retired there. Probably for this reason, german cemetary was also elected there???
Cuacos de Yuste. Beautiful little tourist village, its Monastry is one of the most famous.
Hotel was good. Free parking private zone:
MAGINA MOUNTAINS
Natural Park in Andalucia region (Jaen).
https://goo.gl/maps/xtEMPqkqnq8mc8EE9
Little group of mountains I decided to cross last day trip while coming back home. This time I rode north and inner side. (during other trip I rode across south side. You can see in Spanish Roads&Trips I).
Very good road condition and twisty (except highest zone), beautiful landscapes mixing little villages, countryside and mountains.
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