🎵 Audio guide
The Árrago River Trail is a linear, out and back route which includes part of the GR-10 walking trail through the valley on the eastern bank of the Árrago river. It passes through a mix of cultivated land, meadows and forests, always accompanied by the riverside vegetation which, in some areas, forms a complete canopy over the river. On the other side of the river there are old, abandoned plots of land taken over by Mediterranean vegetation and pine trees on the slopes.
The trail begins next to the Pilas bridge (Puente de las Pilas) which we leave on our right. We take a concrete track which leads us through olive groves, meadows and stands of oak trees on the way to the area known as Eras. There are magnificent views of Cadalso and the Almenara to enjoy along the way.
Leaving the shade of an oak forest, we arrive in Eras and continue on the GR-10 trail. We leave behind the built-up area and are rewarded with beautiful views of the mountains and the intense green of the riverside forest which marks the path of the river. We continue on the trail which passes through forest and meadows.
Before crossing the Pilas stream, the trail gets closer to the river as it forms a wide meander, then it peels away again. We continue through cultivated plots of land, meadows and small stands of oak and holm oak trees. We leave the GR-10 and turn right onto a track which takes us closer to the river.
The track narrows and becomes a footpath which gets closer to the river. We pass through an area of gravel which attests to the increased flow of the river in periods of rain. We continue on a livestock path.
Between the abundant riverside vegetation which in some parts, covers the river with a lush green vault, there are more open areas with exposed slate rocks. These capriciously shaped rocks have been rounded and eroded by the force of the water and dominate the River Árrago and its surroundings.
The trail follows the river which makes a sharp left turn before splitting in two, creating a tiny island formed by slate rock. There are little cascades, surrounded by a lush forest in the foothills of the mountains.
We continue along the green route of the river until we reach the track which ascends into the hills from the main Cadalso to Descargamaria road. We turn left onto this track and head towards the road. We then turn left onto the road and begin the return leg of the trail.
Once again on the GR-10 walking trail, we follow it to the Eras area. After 700m we turn left off the road onto a track which passes through cultivated plots of land and brings us back to the point at which we detoured from the main track to take the footpath closer to the river.
Return leg and views. Although the trail is the same, the downhill return to Cadalso gives us the opportunity to enjoy beautiful views of the Árrago valley on the way down to the village.