At Huerta, the Tormes makes a 110-degree turn. The river provides a scenic focal point for routes, water sports and summer activities along its banks. Other highlights include the parish church of San Bartolomé, with its distinctive design, and the Ruta Escultórica, with its cultural and historical associations. The river landscape, outdoor activities and architectural history give Huerta several different points of interest that can be considered separately when planning a trip.
Routes along the Tormes
The Caminito de los Novios starts on the path above Los Cantos beach and follows the Tormes to a wooden bridge. The route is about two kilometres long. Along the way, you will encounter various riverside landscapes and information panels about the surroundings. The path thus combines a route beside the water with information about the landscape it passes through.
Another route leads from Huerta to Encinas de Abajo. It is about five kilometres long and mostly flat. The difference is not just the distance: the Caminito focuses on riverside landscapes and information panels along the way, while the route to Encinas de Abajo covers a longer distance on mostly flat terrain. When choosing between the routes, you can therefore consider both distance and terrain.
Canoeing and the river landscape
Canoeing is possible on the calm waters of the Tormes near Huerta. A canoe trip organised in 2020 went from Huerta via Cabrerizos to Salamanca through an autumn river landscape on the Tormes, rich in river wildlife. This brings together a water sport option near Huerta and a specific seasonal perspective on the river landscape: autumn and the river’s wildlife were part of the experience on the trip.
Church architecture and cultural history
The parish church of San Bartolomé de Huerta has a single-nave layout and a prominent transept. Its main chapel is semicircular inside and polygonal on the outside. The contrast between the rounded interior and polygonal exterior illustrates the different treatments of the same architectural feature. The church’s artistic heritage includes the main altarpiece, made by woodcarver Juan Sánchez in 1749.
Two Romanesque capitals were discovered during the church’s restoration in 2011 and 2012. This brings out different historical points of reference: the altarpiece made in 1749 and the Romanesque capitals, which were only discovered during the restoration work. The Ruta EscultĂłrica is also connected with cultural history. It is linked to the “Parque Fluvial de Cultura y EcologĂa” project, developed in 2001 in collaboration with the University of Mainz in Germany.
Summer by the river
During the summer months, the banks of the Tormes in the municipality of Huerta attract visitors looking to swim. A summer chiringuito (beach bar) is located on the riverbank near Los Cantos beach. It serves grilled dishes, paellas and freshly prepared pinchos. Summer therefore combines seasonal use of the riverbank with food options close to the beach. For trip planning, this seasonal aspect is a separate consideration from the routes and architectural history described above, which can be enjoyed year-round.
Discover more destinations: Pastores, Babilafuente, Madroñal, Villar De Ciervo, Parada De Arriba, Olmedo De Camaces, Berrocal De Salvatierra, La Maya
For the wider travel overview: Salamanca.
