The best running trails around Piedralaves

Piedralaves is a charming municipality in the province of Ávila, located on the southern slope of the Gredos mountain range, near the Tiétar river. With a rich historical heritage, the 17th century church of San Antonio de Padua and the emblematic clock tower stand out. It is worth admiring the typical houses with wooden balconies and granite masonry, especially the Casa de los Balcones. Its natural environment, especially the Boyal pasture, provides opportunities for outdoor activities. Another beautiful place in the town is the Charca de la Nieta, a natural pool in the Nuño Cojo gorge.

Built during the 14th-15th century and declared an Asset of Cultural Interest on May 5, 1949 is a highly recommended visit. It is very well preserved and inside you can see an explanatory video about its history. It is worth climbing the castle towers from where there are spectacular views. The entrance price is 3 euros.

The track surrounds the Los Pajonales hill and reaches the Riscazo viewpoint, installed on some granite cliffs next to a small shelter. The views are magnificent, with Piedralaves at the foot of the mountain range and the great plain of the Tiétar valley between the San Vicente mountain range and the slopes of Gredos.

The Piviana pasture is extraordinary, there are abundant specimens of melojo oak that are two and three centuries old, there are mountain streams and a grazing corral in the forest clearing. The detour is at the sign for the area and in about two hundred meters it leads to a meadow near a stream with a small waterfall. The trail returns to the main path and continues climbing the side of the mountain range. Oak trees attract attention due to their size, the dancing silhouettes of the branches and the play of light, especially in autumn when the leaves are yellowing. The path passes through a clearing where the Los Manaderos sign is and at the next bend the Roble de los Manaderos appears on the right of the track, a fabulous specimen of melojo oak with about four hundred years of life.

The starting point is the Charca de la Nieta car park, in the Nuño Cojo gorge, in the town of Piedralaves, a recreation area with a fountain, kiosk and some wonderful natural pools. The route sign is at the top of the parking lot. The path goes up some rock boats towards a sign with the indication Pozo de la Nieve/La Angostura and continues along the path marked with blue and yellow milestones. The first kilometer is quite steep and to run up you have to warm up very well before leaving, they are old wooden trails and do not have a comfortable hiking route, they are created to lower logs down the side of the mountain. The path climbs relentlessly up the slope of the pine forest, little by little it loses slope, oaks appear among the pines and ends in a forest track that runs along the foot of the mountain range.

The valley of the La Garganta del Niño Cojo goes from the ridge of the Sierra de Gredos to the same town of Piedralaves, they leave the Presa de Piedralves and in other parts, a magnificent view of the area.

Built during the 14th-15th century and declared an Asset of Cultural Interest May 5, 1949 is a totally recommendable visit. It is very well preserved and inside you can watch an explanatory video about its history. It is worth going up to the castle towers from where there are spectacular views. The entrance price is 3 euros.