Tracing the steps of an Emperor
The royal road that joined the port of Tornavacas with Jarandilla de la Vera played an important role in the histories of both the Jerte and Ambroz valleys. One of the most illustrious figures to have used it was Emperor Carlos V who passed through on a palanquin in 1556 on his way to the Yuste Monastery, the place where he finished his life. Today, it’s known as the Carlos V route and it’s one of the most beautiful and famous roads through the Extremadurian mountains.
All along this route’s eight-hour itinerary, hikers have the chance to tread the same Earth as the imperial convoy: the shady elm and chestnut forests of the Valle del Jerte, the impressive rock formations of the Yeguas and Los Infiernos gorges, and the solitary landscapes of the high Gredos mountains which must, by the way, be done with care in the winter time. After crossing the mountain pass, hikers arrive in the verdant groves of the Valle del Ambroz.
