Las Navillas brings together the landscape of the Montes de Toledo, historic livestock trails and a building tradition shaped by granite. The hiking route to Puerto Marchés heads south into a dense oak forest; houses, the parish church and rock features add architecture and local history to the picture. This gives you two distinct interests to consider when planning your trip: nature and trails, and architectural and cultural history.

Oak Forest, Livestock Trails and Hiking

Las Navillas lies in the heart of the Montes de Toledo, in an oak forest. Native vegetation includes maples, ash trees, holm oaks and Pyrenean oaks. So the landscape is not defined by oaks alone: maples and ash trees are also among the native species mentioned.

The Cañada Real Segoviana crosses Las Navillas and reflects the historical importance of livestock farming in the area. Near Las Navillas, the Cañada Real de Ganados follows the course of the Arroyo Marchés. This brings together two specific features of the landscape: the history of livestock farming and the course of the stream.

The hiking route from Las Navillas to Puerto Marchés follows the Cañada Real Segoviana south into a dense oak forest. It starts at the large open area at the entrance to the village and is about 10 kilometres long, there and back. This approximate distance makes it easy to plan the hike as a separate activity. Mountain biking is also popular in the area around Las Navillas; hiking and cycling offer different ways to experience the landscape.

Granite, Houses and Historic Traces

The traditional houses of Las Navillas are built from granite rubble masonry. Some are plastered and whitewashed, while others have exposed masonry. The houses have two storeys: the ground floor was intended as living space, and the upper floor as a granary. The façades and the intended use of each floor offer insight into the traditional building style.

The parish church is also built of granite, using both granite rubble masonry and granite ashlars. It was built in the 1940s, possibly in 1945. An earlier historical milestone is the chapel dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, which was in Las Navillas in 1684. The two religious buildings represent different periods in the history of the village, though the church’s possible construction date should not be treated as certain.

Archaeological traces include anthropomorphic, or human-shaped, tombs carved into the rock. They are on the road before the entrance to the village, beside the Cañada Real. La pisá del Santo refers to images engraved in a rock beside the Cañada Real route. The two rock features differ in form: tombs carved into the rock in one case, and engraved images in the other.

If you are considering Las Navillas as a destination, you can make your choice based on these highlights: the hike towards Puerto Marchés, the landscape of the livestock trails, or the traces left in granite and rock. This helps you decide in advance which aspects of the village you would like to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Pepino, Mocejón, San Román De Los Montes, Villafranca De Los Caballeros, Casasbuenas, Navamorcuende, Toledo, Ocaña

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