Navarredonda De Gredos

Navarredonda De Gredos lies along the upper reaches of the Tormes and is considered the heart of Gredos. Scots pines, varied routes, historic buildings and regional cuisine give this destination several different sides. If you are looking for a hotel, you can choose your destination based on whether you are especially interested in the landscape, culture or the night sky.

Pine Forest and Landscape

The Pinar de Navarredonda is a mature forest of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). Some trees are more than a century old. The isolated forest provides numerous and diverse bird species with places to nest and forage; these species could not survive outside this forest. Piedra Aguda is a spot at an altitude of 1,816 metres, from which you can take in the surrounding landscape.

Routes with Different Character

Ruta 1 Piedra Aguda connects Barajas and Navarredonda de Gredos in the north of the municipality. It is considered an easy, accessible route and offers impressive views of the Sierra. Ruta 5 Las Chorreras connects the same places in the south of the municipality. The main difference between these two connections is therefore their location.

On Ruta 2 Cabeza Castaño, Cabeza Castaño, at 1,672 metres, is the main point of interest. Ruta 3 Nacimiento del Río Tormes runs parallel to the AV 941 road towards the Parador Nacional de Gredos. It then turns onto a well-signposted path south towards Fuente del Tormes. The entire Ruta 3 can be travelled by vehicle.

Ruta 4 Valdeascas y Piedra del mediodía passes by Molino de Tío Frutos, also known as Molino de Mingorriano. Ruta 6 Pinar y Parador is almost flat and easy to complete. It allows you to experience the extensive Pinar de Navarredonda and the surroundings of the emblematic Parador Nacional de Gredos. The routes connect localities or offer views; Ruta 3 can be travelled in its entirety by vehicle.

The Parador and Architectural Heritage

The Parador de Gredos was opened by Alfonso XIII in 1928 and was Spain’s first Parador de Turismo. In March 1978, seven young politicians met there in the Salón del Silencio, now the Salón de los Ponentes, to lay the foundations for the later Spanish Constitution. The Parador is thus connected both with the history of tourism and with an important political meeting.

The Iglesia de Ntra. Sra. de la Asunción is a late Gothic church built of dressed stone, with three naves. Its features include polychrome carvings, altarpieces from the 17th and 18th centuries, and numerous paintings. Its architecture and furnishings give the church a distinct significance alongside the Parador’s historical associations.

The Night Sky and Regional Cuisine

Navarredonda de Gredos is one of the 28 municipalities in the Reserva Starlight de Gredos. Its certification confirms the quality of the dark sky; certification status may change as a result of future administrative decisions. Navarredonda de Gredos is also home to one of the province of Ávila’s 50 stargazing sites. Several businesses offer astrotourism services. If you are planning a specific activity, it is best to check its current availability in advance.

Local gastronomy includes the famous Gredos veal from the Negra Avileña breed. Restaurants serve dishes including beef steak, judías del barco beans, trout from the Tormes, Iberian cured meats, migas, Castilian soup and patatas revolconas. The food on offer may vary. The dishes mentioned also convey the range of regional cuisine, from meat and cured meats to soup and potato dishes.

Discover more destinations: Peñalba De Avila, Fresnedilla, Pozanco, Mingorría, Cardeñosa, La Angostura, El Barrio, Gavilanes.

For the broader travel overview: Avila.