Path Portilla

Description of Path Portilla

From Lalastra to Ribera 6.8 Km

The parking area that we find just at the entrance of the town of Lalastra (0h 00min) is the starting point for most of the trails that run through the Natural Park of Valderejo.

We follow the course of the road we arrived on and that takes us through the town. On the outskirts of Lalastra we find the park house on our right.

In front of it, on our left, begins the path along which we must continue. Shortly after passing through a metal gate we find a new junction (0h 05min).​

Here we will say goodbye to the Path of the Purón River, and we will start to follow the directions of the Path Portilla. At this point we begin to gain height with each step, surrounded by a thick forest.

This path takes us effortlessly to contemplate Lalastra and part of the surrounding landscape. Almost without realizing it, we arrive at a new gate that we have to go through.

As soon as we do so, a narrow trail begins on our right that we have to follow. A trail that quickly leads us to another wide path that will be in charge of guiding us from now on.

This path continues to make us gain height with every step, while we enjoy the forest around us.

At the few crossroads we will pass, we will not have to leave the course of the path we are following. Another lonely gate warns us of the next end of the forest that is accompanying us.

The first fields we will pass through allow us to contemplate part of the unmistakable landscape of the Valderejo Natural Park.

Here we will also have the first opportunity to detour to the Path of the Purón, and shorten the route we are taking. Our path, almost hidden under the grass that covers it, continues its course, now much more comfortable.

We began to lose altitude gently, leaving a few crossroads behind. But soon we will have to face a new ascent that warns us of the winding route ahead.

This part of the itinerary forces us to be attentive to the different crossroads we encounter.

Another wide field and a new detour quickly come our way, inviting us to shorten our route. A route that continues on its current invariable course, surrounded by the vegetation of the area.

After a while we arrive at a new junction where, now yes, we have to take a detour and follow the path on our right. A path that continues to force us to make an effort to overcome the slope it presents us with.

This area is leading us towards our goal without it still being seen in front of us. We have to be careful because there will be several crossroads where we will pass without deviation.

A new wooden gate marks the beginning of the steep descent that lies ahead.

The stony path we descend along allows us to contemplate a spectacular landscape.

An old and battered wire fence cuts us off, forcing us to look for the place where we will have to cross it.

Shortly after saving the fence the path reaches its end, leaving us in a wide and green meadow. The route at first follows the limits of this meadow, leading us to an old electricity hut.

If we look closely, under the vegetation of the meadow we can sense the path we are following. Just before we reach the electricity pole we will be forced to leave the official route for a moment.

In this area the route follows the old cart track that used to run through these fields, and which is now almost hidden by the vegetation.

This forces us to leave it for a few meters and follow a trail that runs not far from the official route.

This trail quickly brings us back to the old path to continue descending towards Ribera.

But once again a post indicates the moment to detour and leave this, almost disappeared, path.

This new detour brings us back to another meadow that allows us to see in front of us the path towards which we are heading.

We can either go to it by crossing this field or, as soon as we enter it, turn right and follow the line drawn by the fence that borders it.

In any case, both possibilities lead us to the dirt track that will take us to the uninhabited area of Ribera (1h 45min).​

From Ribera to Lalastra 3,8 Km

A series of signs indicate where the different paths that coincide here lead to.

We leave on our left the bridge over which the Path of the Purón continues towards the spectacular gorge, to join this path but in the opposite direction, towards Lalastra.

To return to Lalastra, we will follow the Path of the Purón River, as the Path of Portilla ends when we reach Ribera. The riverbed accompanies us on this quiet and beautiful stretch of the route.

Soon we will begin to face the slope that we have to save in order to return to our starting point. Little by little we are going up the narrow gorge carved by the river.

Luckily, although with notable ramps, the slope is not as constant and demanding as in the previous descent.

We left behind the course of the Purón River to wade the Polledo stream, either by the bridge that crosses it or, if the flow allows it, by the same path we are following.

Without ceasing to gain height almost at no time our route brings us closer to another important point of the itinerary.

Here we will have to choose between following the marks of the trail and facing a steep slope, or not abandoning the path that in exchange for some more distance gives us a kinder unevenness.

If we decide to follow the marks, we will see ourselves travelling a typical mountain trail, somewhat broken up in some areas and with a not inconsiderable slope at this point of the route.

After overcoming the slope, the trail takes us back to the path we had abandoned before, to continue together towards Lalastra.

At that moment, we came across one of the detours we passed through in the fields of Portilla, which communicate both paths.

Here, of course, we continue on our way without deviation, leaving this crossroads behind. We still have some slopes to cover before we reach the end of this entertaining route.

Once outside the protection of the forest we will be able to contemplate a magnificent perspective of the rockers that characterize this natural park.

The slope to be overcome reaches its end just at the same place where the first of the detours that we had left behind at the beginning of the tour joins us.

From here begins a rapid and short descent that brings us closer to the limits of the town towards which we are heading.

Not without first leaving on our right the path along which the Path to Portilla runs, which we meet again.

Together we only have to follow our steps to cover the last meters that separate us from Lalastra (2h 50min) and the parking lot where this hiking route ends.

Technical data sheet of the route

Distance. 10.6Km

To this figure we will have to add the distance to get closer to the deserted area or to the gorge, depending on our destination.

Time. 2:50h

There are many possible variations of itinerary that this route presents to us and that we will have to take into account, if we vary the proposed route.

Time of year

We are in a natural park that has an important colony of birds, which considerably increases the attractions that the route already has. If it has rained the previous days it is very probable that we will find very muddy areas of the route.

Required equipment

The apparent simplicity of the route cannot make us fall into the error of not equipping ourselves correctly. Footwear and clothing appropriate for hiking, sufficient food and water, walking sticks and protection from the sun, among other things, are inherent in every route we take. It's not out of the question that we carry our GPS with us on the track. The path is signposted at all times but there are areas that can confuse us. Consult our list of material and equipment for hiking. Read more.

Difficulty. Medium

Physical

For a person accustomed to this type of activity, the itinerary is uncomplicated. Facing the ramps that we have to overcome with the necessary calm and time, we will be able to enjoy a quite pleasant day. If we change the direction of the route, the physical difficulty increases, since the difference in level is concentrated almost entirely in the same stretch.

Severity of the environment

A few slippery areas are at first sight the greatest danger we will encounter. But we must not forget that part of the route is embedded or flanked by the walls of the gorge it runs through, with the consequent exposure to possible falling stones. Another factor to take into account is the considerable vertical drop that we will have in some sections of the wide return trail and that should not go unnoticed.

Orientation

The route is signposted almost at all times. It is certain that in the proximities of Ribera the itinerary becomes more complicated to follow given the vegetation that covers the course of the old road. Another factor that can make us doubt are the innumerable signposted paths that we will find.

Coordinates UTM Datum WGS84

Profile of the route

Cartography, maps and tracks

This sketch of the route is not made to scale nor does it contain all the information relating to the area, it is merely indicative.

This schematic with the path is approximate and has been created from the derived cartographic base © Instituto Geográfico Nacional "Cuadrante 110-4, 25.000"

Senditur has manipulated the tracks to correct the aberrant points that may exist, caused by problems with the reception of the GPS signal. In any case the tracks are always approximate. SENDITUR encourages you to use the new technologies within your reach, using them as support and consultation in your activity, not basing the realization and orientation of the same only and exclusively on them, since they may see their functioning altered by very diverse causes, not functioning correctly and their indications may not be precise.