This route follows in the footsteps of Emperor Charles V on his journey to the Monastery of Yuste, where he would spend the last years of his life. We commence our adventure in Barco de Avila (Sierra de Gredos Avila) and end in Jarandilla de la Vera, more specifically in the monastery of Yuste (Cuacos de Yuste, Caceres)
Carlos I of Spain and V of Germany disembarked in Laredo, Cantabria, the 26th of September of 1556, to conclude his days in the Monastery of Yuste, Cáceres, the 21 of September of 1558.
We start from Barco de Avila, in the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos crossing the port of Tornavacas, a compulsory passage of transhumant cattle between the two communities, in the direction of Valle del Jerte.
After a night in the vicinity of Jerte, we start our way to Jarandilla de la Vera, crossing the Garganta el Infierno Natural Reserve, a hard stage where we will have to dismount several times.
Located in the Valle del Jerte, this nature reserve sits between the northwestern slope of the Sierra de Tormantos, the southwestern slope of the Sierra de Gredos and the Jerte river. We will encounter waterfalls and giant kettles from the area known as Los Pilones.
From Jarandilla we will begin the last stage to our final destination; the Yustes Monastery.
The Monastery of Yuste - declared European Heritage in 2007- is both monastery and palace. The current convent was rebuilt over the ruins of the old monastery that served as residence for the emperor in the last two years of his life (1556-1558).
