Horcajo between natural swimming spots, hiking trails and traditional architecture

Horcajo offers several ways to enjoy a stay: a natural swimming spot, hiking trails, a viewpoint and traditional houses. There is also the Church of San Francisco de Asís and a landscape shaped by terraces, the Río Horcajo and a gorge descending from the Sierra. Which of these aspects you focus on can help structure your trip planning.

The natural swimming spot and its seasonal conditions

At the entrance to Horcajo is an easily accessible natural swimming pool. The natural swimming spot covers about 750 m² in total and lies within the Natura 2000 site ZEC Río Esperabán (ES4320069). A regional environmental document from 2024 describes how, in July and August, an approximately ten-metre-long weir creates the pool.

The information about the weir relates to this seasonal description. As swimming conditions and facilities may vary, check the situation before your visit. This lets you include the swimming spot in your plans without assuming that the summer months or the described pool are available year-round.

Hiking trails from Horcajo

The route to the abandoned settlement of El Moral starts in Horcajo’s square, which serves as a car park. The easy route is about two kilometres long and is considered easy and family-friendly. The path follows the right bank of the Río Horcajo. This gives you the destination, approximate walking distance and stated difficulty for this hike. Trail conditions may change; check them locally before setting out.

Another option is the Lombo de las Viñas hiking trail. It starts in Horcajo and ends in El Gasco. The two routes therefore differ in their stated destinations: one takes you to the abandoned settlement of El Moral, while the other leads to El Gasco. When choosing your hike, you can use these destinations as a guide without relying on an unspecified walking time.

Views over the Horcajo valley

The Mirador El Lombo de Las Viñas offers views over the Horcajo valley. You can reach it by taking an approximately five-kilometre dirt track from Horcajo, or on foot via the Lombo de las Viñas route. These two stated access options give you different ways to plan your visit; the distance given for the track does not indicate a walking time. As track conditions may change, check them before driving there.

Terraces, houses and local history

The terraces around Horcajo support chestnut and olive trees, as well as legumes and fruit trees. Traditional architecture also defines the village: its houses feature balconies supported by slate, slate floors, and whitewashed façades with blue or brown decorative details. Slate is used in several parts of the buildings, while the coloured details adorn the façades.

Nearby, the abandoned settlement of El Moral is an example of traditional architecture in Las Hurdes. The Church of San Francisco de Asís is in Horcajo. The village also has a distinctive setting: Horcajo lies where the Río Horcajo meets a water-rich gorge descending from the Sierra. The traditional architecture and distinctive landscape offer different perspectives on Horcajo.

Getting to Horcajo

Horcajo is accessible via the CC-156. At kilometre 8.5, turn right onto the road that ends in the hamlet. Take local road conditions into account when planning your journey. In the village, clearly described starting points for hikes meet a compact selection of nature and cultural attractions: from the swimming spot at the entrance to the path to the abandoned settlement of El Moral, as well as the viewpoint and traditional architecture.

Discover more destinations: Portezuelo, Casas de Miravete, La Cumbre, Valencia De Alcantara, La Aldea Del Obispo, Navaconcejo, Membrío, Pasarón De La Vera.

For the broader travel overview: Cáceres.