Santiago Del Collado: Church and Mountain Scenery

Santiago del Collado lies on the northern slope of the Sierra de Piedrahíta, overlooking the Valle del Corneja to the east. When choosing a destination, its mountain setting combines with a distinctive townscape and a church with special architectural details. Puerto de Peña Negra and several described trails also give the town a character of its own. Depending on whether you are interested in church architecture, air sports or hiking routes, you will find different starting points for planning your trip.

Location and Townscape

Puerto de Peña Negra lies within the municipality of Santiago del Collado, at an elevation of 1,909 metres. It connects the Valle del Corneja with the Alto Valle del Tormes, providing another geographical link between two valleys. From the N-110, the Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol and the houses surrounding it can be seen together as a distinctive townscape. The road thus offers a clear reference point from which to take in the church and the town’s buildings in context.

The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol

The church has a polygonal apse, a single-nave body and a detached tower bearing a large coat of arms of the Alba family. “Polygonal” describes the apse’s many-sided shape; “single-nave” refers to a body with one main nave. These architectural forms give the church a clearly defined appearance. A 17th-century portal connects the church building to the sacristy.

The furnishings can also be distinguished by specific works and dates. The main chapel is crowned by a hemispherical dome decorated with paintings in both classical and folk styles. The main altarpiece dates from 1767 and was created by Manuel Vicente del Castillo, an artist from Salamanca. The altar of Saint Lucy is dated 1664. The church thus has two altars from different periods, alongside other clearly identifiable architectural features.

Puerto de Peña Negra and Air Sports

The pass is notable not only for its elevation and the link it provides between the valleys: Puerto de Peña Negra is also considered a suitable place for air sports. Various international competitions have been held there, including a paragliding world championship. The pass therefore offers a different perspective on Santiago del Collado from its church architecture, with the mountain landscape and air sports taking centre stage. The competitions are part of the town’s history; the pass’s suitability for air sports, as described, adds to this profile.

Trails around Santiago del Collado

The trail descriptions differ in their respective reference points. The Sendero de la Umbrela crosses the N-110 at kilometre 15.9 and reaches Alto de Santiago. It also loops around Risco de la Umbrela and extends across the Valle del Corneja and the Valle del Caballeruelo. The Ruta de Las Solanillas reaches Santiago del Collado at kilometre 8.1 and then passes through the district of El Collado. The first route can therefore be identified by Alto de Santiago, the Risco and two valleys, while the second is defined by its route through the town and El Collado. Trail conditions and signage may change, so check conditions before setting out.

There is also a separate access description for Risco de la Umbrela from Valdelaguna: after parking there, you can reach the Risco on foot in about an hour. Check local access conditions before setting out. This route description provides a practical guide for planning your time, while the routes described each identify further geographical reference points in the surrounding area.

Discover more destinations: Hernansancho, Muñogalindo, Crespos, El Barco De Ávila, Barajas, Higuera De Las Dueñas, El Tiemblo, El Hornillo.

For the regional travel overview: Avila.