PR-CU 17 – Cueva del Hoyo Trail
A Trip that Combines History and Nature, Discovering Hidden Treasures in Lagunaseca.
Discover History and Nature on the Lagunaseca Trail to Cueva del Hoyo
Welcome to Lagunaseca, a charming mountain town that rises to 1,300 meters of altitude in the Serranía Alta Conquense. This historical jewel, located 92 kilometers from the capital, keeps behind its mountains and fields stories that date back to Roman times, when the imperials extracted iron from the region to forge their empire. With the arrival of the reconquest, livestock activity became the main source of life for the brave inhabitants of the area.
Discover the Charm of the Church of San Barnabas
The most outstanding building in Lagunaseca is the St. Barnabas Church. Although it maintains architectural elements of the 15th and 16th centuries, Its Renaissance style attests to its construction in the 18th century. Its bell tower stands out for housing one of the oldest clocks in the region.
The Wonderful Torcas: A Natural Monument
Part of the municipality of Lagunaseca is located in the Alto Tajo Natural Park, but the true jewel of the region are the Torcas. These closed depressions are one of the most impressive karst phenomena in the Serranía Conquense. In 2003, they were declared Natural Monument by the Ministry of the Environment. Here, protected species such as acer and hazel contribute to the natural wealth of the region.
Discover the Path to Cueva del Hoyo
Now, let's embark on the path that takes you from Lagunaseca to Cueva del Hoyo. You will begin your tour in Lagunaseca, on a cement track heading south, crossing an area clear of vegetation with orchards and crop fields. Along the way, you will come across the Fuente Vieja and the small Hermitage of the Virgen de la Zarza. Then, you will reach a hill from where you will begin a long descent towards the Río de la Hoz.
At the bottom of the ravine, you will find the Cueva del Hoyo, several fountains and the Cerrillo Primero Recreation Area, a perfect place to enjoy the coolness in summer under the shade of a leafy forest. Here, the cement road ends, and you will continue your journey along a path among the pines, following upstream of the Río de la Hoz. You will have to ford the river looking for the most suitable place before taking a track that ascends the opposite slope towards the north.
Then, you will leave the track to take a path to your right that takes you back to the river. After fording the river for the last time, you will turn north to ascend a path that will take you to El Guijo, the highest area of the route. The ascent culminates near a booth that supplies water to Masegosa. From this point, you will take a track that crosses the pine forest and will take you back to the town.
As you approach Lagunaseca, the landscape will change, leaving the forest behind to enter the moors and mountain meadows that surround the upper part of the town.
A Trip that Combines History and Nature, Discovering Hidden Treasures in Lagunaseca.
Discover unforgettable scenery and natural gems, every corner reveals the authenticity of the Serranía de Cuenca. Here you will find a selection of places you cannot miss.
