The best walks and hikes around Santo Domingo De Las Posadas

The Castro de las Cogotas reservoir dam, located in the province of Ávila, offers spectacular views that combine engineering, nature, and archaeology.

The Castro de Las Cogotas, located in the municipality of Cardeñosa (Ávila), is one of the most emblematic Iron Age archaeological sites on the Iberian Peninsula, especially linked to the Vetton people. It is situated on a hill next to the Adaja River, surrounded by holm oak groves, pastures, and fertile land. This location offered defensive advantages and abundant natural resources. The fort is open to the public and has an Interpretation Center that explains its history and characteristics. Periodic archaeological conferences are also held on the site.

The place name Mingorría retains Basque reminiscences, deriving from “mendi gorria,” which means “red mountain” or “red land.” This is observed in other cases in the province of Ávila, such as the town of Mendigorría in Navarra. In historical documents, Mingorría already appears as Ningorría, and it is believed that there was an assimilation due to the change of the liquid initials “M” to “N.” Another legend attributes the name of Mingorría to the notice that José Chinchurreta gave to monarch Felipe II, justifying the delay in the supply of granite during the works of the Monastery of El Escorial.

The Castro de las Cogotas reservoir dam, which retains the waters of the Adaja River, is an impressive structure. You can walk down to the river at the foot of the dam for a spectacular view of this powerful dam.

Three stone crosses located on a rocky outcrop near the Ermita del Berrocal, on the outskirts of Cardeñosa.

Along the way you reach the ruins of a medieval settlement, with building stones scattered on the ground of which only the main arch of a church remains standing.

Cardeñosa is the ideal place to stop along the way and have a drink to continue the route. Here is the Castro Interpretation Center

Nucleus that has a great history behind it not only because Las Cogotas is located closer to the reservoir but also, for example, the Arco toral of the depopulated Conejeros.