Jerte Valley and La Vera

The Jerte Valley is a district in the north of Extremadura, comprised of eleven municipalities. Set amidst the mountains of Sierra de Tormantos, Montes de Traslasierra and Sierra de Béjar, the valley is named after the river that flows through it, the Jerte.

If you are looking for nature and relaxation, the Jerte Valley offers a broad spectrum of flora and vegetation. But without a shadow of a doubt, its brightest star is the cherry tree. The Jerte Valley reaches the height of beauty in spring, when you can see all of the cherry trees in flower, creating an image that is hard to forget - a vast white mantle that cloaks the whole valley. But remember, nature is subject to no exact time or date, although the best time to come is usually the end of March or beginning of April, when the trees are blossoming in all their splendour. The valley celebrates this explosion of white with a national festival of tourist interest: the Flowering Cherry Tree Festival.

And free up a few days in summer to visit - and bathe in - the Garganta de los Infiernos Nature Reserve, which is part of the "Network of Protected Natural Spaces of Extremadura".

The neighbouring district of Vera stretches out parallel to the valley, at the foot of the Sierra de Gredos mountains, and contains nineteen municipalities. Jaraíz de la Vera is the region's main town, but there are other villages too, like Jarandilla or Pasarón, where you will be able to enjoy the local culture and delicious gastronomy. Bathed by the river Tiétar, the region is famous for its ravines and bathing areas.

The most emblematic product here is paprika, and there is even a museum devoted to it.

One important place in La Vera is the Monastery of Yuste, a National Heritage site. Located in Cuacos de Yuste, this was where Carlos V died.

Every year the Route of the Emperor is held, based on the figure of this king and declared a Festival of Tourist Interest in Extremadura. It commemorates the route through the region taken by Carlos V to reach the monastery.

If you visit this district in the north of Cáceres province, pay a visit to Plasencia, known as the capital of Jerte.