Between the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos and the city of Plasencia is the northern region of «The Jerte Valley«, through which flows the Jerte River, a tributary of the Tagus River. Nestled between the mountains of Tras la Sierra and the Sierra de Tormantos. These two mountain ranges exceed 1000 meters in altitude, in the northernmost part of the Valley is the highest peak in Extremadura, the Calvitero, with 2,425 meters of altitude.
The Jerte Valley has historically been the natural passage ofEstremadura to Castile. Lands of transhumance, the Camino Real is still used to lead cattle on their journey to the summer pastures.
The name comes from Arabic Xerit, which can mean narrow or crystalline. Jerte is both things at the same time. Born at 900 meters, in the heights of Tornavacas, from where you can see the valley in panoramic view, when you pass through Plasencia50 kilometers later, it is already at about 345 meters. On its short journey, it collects water from the streams and fountains that turn this small valley in Cáceres into a botanical garden.
A river that offers numerous and welcoming pools where you can practice swimming. Just like the placid gorges.
BLOOMING OF THE CHERRY TREES
The cherry blossom It usually occurs in the last week of March and first week of April, although this date may vary depending on the weather during the winter months. It usually lasts about 10 days, under normal weather conditions.
The ideal thing to see the bloom is to take a tour of all the towns that make up the Jerte Valley, so you can enjoy different perspectives.
Circular route through the mountains, by car: Valdastillas, Piornal, Barrado, Cabrero, Casas del Castañar, El Torno and Rebollar.
Linear route parallel to the Jerte River, following the N-110: Navaconcejo, Cabezuela del Valle, Jerte, Tornavacas and Puerto de Tornavacas.
The cherry harvest begins, more or less, at the beginning of May and ends at the end of July. The month of June is when there are more cherries and when the cherry trees with their fruit are best seen.!!!!