🎵 Audio guide
The Sierrilla trail is a circular route with the designation SL-CC 205 which passes through the foothills of the Sierra de las Jañonas below the Almenara tower.
The trail takes in a variety of natural environments: pine forests, riverside vegetation and groves of oak and chestnut trees. The highlights of the trail are the waterfall of the Gargantilla stream and the magnificent views of Cadalso and the Árrago valley.
The trail begins in the village on the Camino de San Sebastián which ascends between stone walls and terraces of olive trees to reach an area of pine trees where it meets a firebreak.
After the firebreak, we come to a junction and take the left-hand track which initially climbs between pine trees. Already at this height there are magnificent views of the Sierra de los Ángeles, las Jañonas, the Almenara castle and the Árrago valley.
The path changes direction and heads into a small valley containing the Gargantilla stream beside which there are cultivated plots of land nearly hidden by the riverside vegetation, oak trees and chestnut trees.
After crossing the stream, on our right there is a spectacular waterfall surrounded by scrub and riverside vegetation. As we continue, the trail passes through patches of Mediterranean forest.
After passing the water storage building, we leave behind the slaty ground with its pine forests and reach the area of granite below the Almenaracastle. We see more Mediterranean vegetation as we get closer to the Cuesta stream.
Once we arrive at the stream we can enjoy the sensation of coolness provided by the abundant riverside vegetation. A few metres upstream, the water flows rapidly over large granite boulders.
We suddenly find ourselves in a forest where the canopy of oak trees hides the sun; quite a different environment from the unchanging green of the pine trees. We can enjoy the various shades of green of these lush surroundings or if we choose to visit in autumn, we can take in the display of golden autumnal colours of the deciduous trees.
This is a lovely spot to rest before continuing with the trail which now heads downhill, shaded by oak, chestnut and strawberry trees in a glorious natural environment from which, now and again, we are treated to superb scenic views of the Almenaracastle and the sea of olive trees which surrounds it.
Slowly but surely, we get closer to the end of the trail, crossing the olive orchards which surround Cadalso and approaching the village through an area known as Santa Barbara, named after an old chapel which was located there.