5.El Real de la Jara-Monesterio

El Real de la Jara - Ermita de San Isidro: 0-11,5 Km

Ermita de San Isidro - Monesterio: 11,5-20,1 (8,6 Km)

At this stage we will find the first marker stone indicated by the Junta de Extremadura (local government, photo 0) to indicate the way. Someone from the Junta de Extremadura must have thought that a single arrow was too simple, therefore opted for a mix of colors instead. It is assumed that the camino continues in the direction marked by the yellow pointers to the highest part. The original roman road is indicated in the green markers, but we generally follow the yellow. This is strongly recommended as some of the green milestone markers are missing along the other route.

We leave the hostel El Real de la Jara crossing the town by the Calle Real, which leads us to a dirt track. A mile ahead to our right we see a fortress (photo 1) and after another 800 meters, just after a small creek we see with another fortress: El Castillo de las Torres (photo 2 km 1.6). We carry on without losing the trodden ground (photo 3 km 6.1) at the 11.5 km point, we find the futuristic Chapel of San Isidro (photo 4).

We turn left for the road EX-318 and after some 100 meters we find the road N-630 that we must now follow, passing a farmhouse called Los Cotos (photo 5 km 13.6). The N-630 passes under the A-66 and continues parallel to the highway on the left. The camino follows the road occasionally crossing it but still staying in close proximity. If cycling, it is recommended you follow the N-630, the camino route is recommended for walkers, and is not much longer in distance than the road route.

At km 15.3 the N-630 returns and passes under the A-66, stay to the right and at km 16.2 we see a deviation to the left with a sign "Camping", we take this route, leaving the N-630. Just after the highway through the tunnel, turn right (another sign advertises camping on the left) and we find ourselves on a service road, carry on for at 2.5 km, then we begin a climb until we reach the Cruz del Puerto (photo 6 km 17,8).

From the top we have a gentle descent. After a roundabout, again take the N-630 through the village of Monesterio continue until we reach the Avenida Extremadura.

Photos