Ruta de los Castaños del Valle del Ambroz
Every October, the hillsides around Hervás erupt in a blaze of copper, gold and rust as the ancient chestnut forests of the Ambroz valley reach peak colour — a phenomenon so spectacular that the regional government has created a signed walking route specifically to experience it. Outside autumn, the same forest is cool, green and hauntingly quiet.
The route itself
The most popular loop begins at the edge of Hervás and climbs into the chestnut woodland above the town, passing trees that are centuries old — some with trunks so wide three people cannot link hands around them. The trail is well-marked with wooden posts and covers roughly 8 km with around 300 m of ascent.
In October, the forest floor is carpeted with fallen leaves and split chestnut husks, and the light filtering through the canopy is extraordinary. Locals collect chestnuts in wicker baskets — a sight unchanged for generations.
Beyond the chestnuts
The route passes several granite boulders and outcrops draped in moss, small streams crossed by stepping stones and clearings with views back down to the Ambroz valley and the rooftops of Hervás. Red squirrels, black woodpeckers and short-toed treecreepers are all resident in the forest.
At the end of October, Hervás hosts the Fiesta de la Castaña (Chestnut Festival), when roasted chestnuts are sold from braziers in the Plaza de la Corredera and the whole town smells like a bonfire. Timing your visit to coincide with this is highly recommended.
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