Discover Descargamaría

Descargamaría offers several specific points of interest to help you plan your trip: its traditional townscape, historic chapels and the signposted PR-CC 186 El Chorrito nature route. A waterfall accessible via this route is also one of the natural attractions. Architecture, religious art and landscape give your stay a variety of focal points.

The townscape of Descargamaría

The traditional architecture of the Sierra de Gata has been preserved in Descargamaría. Its features include slate-stone houses, upper floors built with adobe and wooden beams, as well as railings and balconies. Narrow streets and attractive passageways also shape the town centre. The townscape is therefore made up of more than individual houses: the spaces between them are part of its character too. If you are interested in regional architecture, you can look at the materials and structural elements alongside the layout of the streets.

Chapels and art

The Ermita del Santo Cordero dates from the 15th and 16th centuries and has a Mudejar coffered ceiling. A coffered ceiling divides the ceiling surface into individual panels, making the ceiling itself a design feature. The Ermita del Humilladero is one kilometre from the town. It dates from the 16th century and has an attractive 15th-century altarpiece. For this chapel, the construction date and furnishings should therefore be distinguished: the altarpiece is older than the building. Together, the two chapels offer different art-historical details.

Nature route and waterfall

The PR-CC 186 El Chorrito is a signposted nature route in Descargamaría. It is 19.7 kilometres long and follows a linear out-and-back route. The starting point is beside the picnic area at the “Las Herías” natural bathing area. The route leads to Chorro de los Ángeles, which has a drop of more than 100 metres. When assessing the excursion, the two measurements refer to different things: 19.7 kilometres is the route length, while more than 100 metres is the waterfall’s drop.

The GR 10 also runs along the highest point of the PR-CC 186. It goes from Ovejuela over the ridge to Robledillo de Gata; returning is optional. The routes can therefore be compared by different features: the PR-CC 186 is defined by its length and out-and-back format, while the GR 10 is characterised by the connection between the towns and the option to return.

Mountains, river area and wine

Some of the mountains surrounding Descargamaría are densely covered with pine trees and scrubland and are designated a Special Protection Area under the directive on the conservation of wild birds. The river area near Descargamaría is designated a Site of Community Importance; it contains olive groves, vineyards, vegetable gardens and orchards, as well as a riverside forest. The two protected areas thus represent different landscape features: mountain vegetation on the one hand, and cultivated land and riverside forest in the river area on the other. Descargamaría was already known for its wines in the 15th century. Together with the vineyards in the river area, this provides a historical and landscape connection to wine.

Discover more destinations: Marchagaz, Villanueva De La Vera, Guijo De Santa Bárbara, Grimaldo, Torremenga, Aldeanueva Del Camino, Valdastillas, Zarza de Montánchez

For the broader travel overview: Cáceres.