Routes and guides :: Weekend routes :: The Great Dams Route

The Great Dams Route

This route leads the traveller 5 great reservoirs at the East of Extremadura: La Serena, Zújar, Orellana, García Sola , and the Dam of Cíjara.

Orellana Dam - Badajoz - Extremadura - Spain
Orellana Reservoir

This five reservoir ensemble is placed in the east of Extremadura, in the regions of La Serena and La Siberia where the beautiful landscapes change with the seasons. For this reason any time is a good occasion to go.

Our starting point is Esparragosa de Lares, this town is near of the greatest reservoir in Western Europe, La Serena Reservoir. The great dimenssion of this engineering work is just comparable to the surrouding landscapes. The town was under the Templars and Alcantara Order in the past. It is located in a special natural place where during Autum birds go there to spend the winter. Crane, black storks, great bustards or little harriers fly over the easter Extremadura, for this reason this is one of the most suitable places for birdwatching.

The dam in Zujar River is older than La Serena Reservoir, however, nowadays both dams are joined.

Puebla de Alcocer is a small town near the dam that worths a visit. It is a singular town due to its situation, is on the mountain range, an the well-kept castle.

Puebla de Alcocer Castle - Badajoz - Extremadura - Spain
The impresive Castle at Puebla de Alcocer

The elderly people has it a giant was born there; he worked in a circus and when he died his body was donated to the National Museum of Antropology.

Heading towards North-East we reach Orellana Reservoir, on its bank it is located Orellana la Vieja, the dam is thus called after the town. Around the dam we have the chance to enjoy the landscape while we practice water sports such as sail, windsurfing, canoeing,...

In Orellana we may go for a walk through its quiet streets and visit the convent or the Concepción church.

Going towards North-East direction we arrive to García Sola/Puerto Peña dam, nearby Peloche and Herrera del Duque.

The delightful landscape allows the visitors to enjoy Nature by means of going for a walk through holm oak woods or in the hunting preserve of Valdefernando. Besides, in Valdecaballeros there is a spa whose treatments will relax us. The inhabitants has it that the waters from the sources has curative properites; nowadays they are used for healthy treatments.

In la Barca, 5 kms away from Peloche, we may rent small boats for excursions around the dam.

We go ahead towards Herrera del Duque to visit the splendid castle. After this visit we reach Castilblanco, this town is very famous due to the cheeses made there. In Castilblanco there are excellent accesses to Cíjara Dam, the fifth of this trip.

In the surroundings we have the chance to enjoy with its well kept facilities such as fishing areas, practice nautical activities or visit the Natural Hunting Reserve of Cijara. Pines and eucalyptus fill out this charming landscape where unique species such as griffon vultures, black storks, or iberian lynxes.

The great reservoir routes leads the visitor to discover and be fascinated with one of the most splendid natural areas in Extremadura. Any season is good to come and enjoy Nature and all its aspects.