Walking in Monfragüe and surroundings: Ruta Roja (Castillo de Monfragüe)

Ruta Roja (Castillo de Monfragüe) is a circular route within the Monfragüe National Park, in Cáceres province. Featuring a birdwatching viewpoint and ruins of a castle, this walk makes up a good day trip from Trujillo, Plasencia, or even Cáceres.

This article includes a general overview of the route, practical details, my personal thoughts and tips to help you plan and make the most of the walk.

Overview

Ruta Roja (Castillo de Monfragüe) is a 16km long (not FEXME-approved) route that takes five hours to complete and starts in Villareal de San Carlos.

The main highlights of this route are the Salto del Gitano lookout point (a popular birdwatching spot), the rich vegetation on the north-facing slope of the sierra (umbría), the remains of a twelfth-century castle and the views from the castle and the nearby tower.

On the way down from the castle there is some cave art (Abrigo del Castillo de Monfragüe) which can be seen from Wednesday to Sunday on a guided tour prior booking. The on-site information sheet secured to the gate (over an older, probably out-of-date sign) at the time of my last visit (February 2025) directs visitors to get in touch via WhatsApp (+34 681230005) to receive more details on how to book.

Ruta Roja (Castillo de Monfragüe) on a map

My thoughts on this route

I walked a partial version of Ruta Roja (Castillo de Monfragüe) at the end of February, starting off at 10.55am. As I mention below in the tips and practical info section, Monfragüe is a popular school trip destination; I’d recommend setting off early from wherever you spend the night before and start walking by 9am to enjoy a quiet time for as long as possible. During the route, look out for the black ‘itinerario rojo’ signs along the way.

My partial version of the route starts at the parking area below the castle (Parking Castillo de Monfragüe) and follows a path running initially parallel to the EX-208 road, then towards the road. Walk across the road and then along the pavement to reach Mirador Salto del Gitano – a viewpoint with amazing views across the river Tagus to a huge crag where you’ll be able to spot different bird species, including several pairs of black storks and griffon vultures. Make sure you pack some binoculars!

The path then runs parallel to the river towards a bridge across the main road (Puente Nuevo del Cardenal). This is a fairly shaded stretch along what feels like a little tunnel created by small trees and bushes. The path then opens up, leading to a large picnic area just before the bridge. Continue walking past the bridge until you see the next pair of signs. Follow the directions for “Senda de umbría – Casa camineros” and then “Fuente de la Parra”.

The next stretch takes you back near the bridge after completing three quarters of a circle walking uphill past a fountain (Fuente de la Parra), through a forested area along the north-facing slope of the hill, with great views of the river.

At the next diversion, follow the signs for the castle (Castillo de Monfragüe), the views becoming better and better as you climb up. This area was particularly verdant at the time of my visit, compared to other areas along the route. The terrain becomes more uneven and rocky as you approach the remains of the castle; thankfully, there’s a small viewpoint where you can stop, give your legs a break and admire the view before tackling the last stretch.

After climbing up some steps, a series of ramps will take you up to the remains of the castle, dating back to the twelfth century. We decided to have lunch at the top, in the area outside the chapel, and spend some time enjoying the views and watching birds of prey fly over us.

The top of the main square tower is the highest point and affords the best panoramic view. I particularly like the northeastern view of the smaller circular tower, the ridge, and the river, the bridge we left behind time ago now looking tiny from the distance.

The viewpoint at the top of the smaller circular tower nearby doesn’t look like much, but is a good spot for photographing the main tower.

The rest of the way is an easy walk on a paved road down to the car park.

Tips and practical info

When to do this route: Ruta Roja (Castillo de Monfragüe) is suitable for all seasons, but I wouldn’t personally recommend walking during the summer months (mid-June to mid-September). Also, bear in mind: (1) that a big birdwatching fair takes places in Monfragüe at the end of February (dates change) and the area will be busy; (2) Monfragüe is a very popular school trip destination, so start walking reasonably early in the morning, if you want to avoid encountering large groups of children.

Where to park: to complete this route in the same way I did, I recommend leaving your car at Parking Castillo de Monfragüe.

Getting there: Monfragüe is under one hour by car from Plasencia (37min), Trujillo (39min), and Cáceres (54min), so this walk would be a good half-day trip idea from any of those three places. The EX-208 road from Trujillo is quite scenic, particularly the last five kilometres northbound before arriving at the parking area of the castle.

Before/after the walk: you can combine a walk with a guided birdwatching tour in the wider Monfragüe Biosphere Reserve or with a boat tour on the river Tagus, near Serradilla.

Where to stay: if you need a place to stay nearby after completing this route, look for accommodation in Extremadura to find the most suitable place for your trip.