Piñuécar between hiking trails and cultural heritage

In Piñuécar, hiking trails meet landmarks that tell the story of the town. At the foot of Cabeza de Piñuecar, the town lies in a largely flat landscape surrounded by pastures and cultivated fields. Typical low-growing scrubland grows to the west. The landscape, routes and buildings offer different ways to shape your stay in the area.

Hiking trails and landscape

The municipality is crossed by the Cañada Real Segoviana, eight Cordeles, four Veredas and two Coladas. These paths are suitable for hiking. The “Frente de Somosierra” route can be started in Piñuécar or Gandullas and passes the Civil War bunkers at Peña Retamosa. Its landscape includes livestock pastures and open holm oak woods; thyme and lavender grow along the way, and holm oaks are scattered throughout.

The 7.8-kilometre “Despoblado de Bellidas y espadaña de Sto. Domingo” route begins at the Iglesia de San Simón in Piñuécar; Bellidas is on private property. After about 1.6 kilometres, it reaches the former village of Bellidas, which is on private property. A house and traces of the streets of the once-independent settlement remain there; eleven families once lived here. The Espadaña de Santo Domingo, with a stork’s nest perched on it, can also be seen from the route.

El Camino del Anillo is on a different scale: this themed pilgrimage route is 109 kilometres long and is travelled on foot. It passes over Cima de los Vientos, known as Cerro Piñuecar. A version suitable for cycling combines paths, forest tracks and local roads. Comparing its length with the Bellidas route gives an idea of the scale of the two routes, without saying anything about walking or cycling time.

Buildings and historical traces

The Iglesia de San Simón has a single-nave layout and a rectangular Baroque tower. Its raised, semicircular apse points to a medieval building tradition. Inside are Baroque altarpieces, a semicircular triumphal arch and a 16th-century holy water font. The church’s different architectural features give it a distinctive character.

El Parapeto is also part of the history of the Spanish Civil War: a guided walk along the route explored various positions and remains in 2018. These traces are incorporated into Spain’s national heritage of historical and cultural interest. Outside Piñuécar lie the remains of the Iglesia Santo Domingo. It was once home to the Tribunal de las Aguas, which distributed irrigation water and penalised irrigators for violations.

A preserved section of the Reguera de Piñuécar can be seen at the junction of Calle Real and Calle de Vellidas, along a small path running northeast between two houses. At the same time, residents continue the traditional work on the irrigation channel and celebrate this tradition. Piñuécar also has a traditional Potro de herrar. Horses, donkeys, oxen and cows were secured in this device so that horseshoes could be fitted or replaced.

In Gandullas, the Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Paz preserves a baptismal font from the feudal period, known as the “pila de cristianar vasallos.” The forge in Gandullas has been restored and converted into a museum. Stone, earth and wood are characteristic materials of the traditional rural architecture of Piñuécar-Gandullas.

Festive traditions and Hornazo

The festival in honour of the Virgen de la Candelaria was still being celebrated in 2020. Hornazo, also called La Merienda in Piñuécar, is a traditional local festive dish. It is made from bread dough prepared with fat, filled and baked. A boiled egg is included in every version; some are sweet, while others are filled with sausage. Its local name and different fillings give the dish a special place in festive tradition.

Discover more destinations: Bustarviejo, Valdemoro, Meco, Alcorcón, San Agustín Del Guadalix, Ajalvir, Robregordo, Galapagar

For the main travel overview: Madrid.