Cerezo De Abajo: Landscape, Trails and Cultural Heritage

For a winter perspective, the first thing to consider in Cerezo De Abajo is its location on the northern foothills of the Somosierra. The differences between short walks, longer routes and cultural sites can be clearly considered side by side here.

Other local destinations: Castillejo De Mesleón, Riaza, Santo Tomé Del Puerto.

Landscape

The Río Cerezuelo rises in the Sierra and irrigates Cerezo de Abajo and the surrounding areas. Griffon vultures, cinereous vultures, common buzzards, and red and black kites can be seen above Cerezo de Abajo. Covering around 20 km², Cerezo de Abajo has Pyrenean oak forests (Quercus pyrenaica), holm oak forests with centuries-old holm oaks (Quercus ilex), riparian forests, stands of narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), meadows and agricultural land. You can distinguish this landscape by its watercourse, forest types, open areas and birds.

The Encinar Monumental de Cerezo de Abajo contains many centuries-old holm oaks. It was preserved through the traditional use of the area as a communal dehesa; the trees provided shade for livestock and their acorns served as feed.

Trails and Routes

The Senda de Mansilla is a 2.5 km long hiking trail that connects Cerezo de Abajo with the hamlet of Mansilla via paths running parallel to the Río Cerezuelo. The Senda del Encinar is a 3 km circular route that begins at the Iglesia de San Román and passes through the Encinar de Cerezo de Abajo.

The Senda del Encinar initially follows the riverside vegetation of the Arroyo del Chorrón and then enters the Encinar de Cerezo de Abajo. The Senda de la Dehesa runs along paths and meadows through Montes de Utilidad Pública. It has a low level of difficulty and can be walked year-round.

The Ruta en BTT por el Duratón is a 54 km circular mountain-bike route approved and signposted by IMBA. The different route lengths and trail types help you consider the connecting path, circular route and mountain-bike loop separately. When comparing them, route length, trail form and the year-round option help you distinguish between the different routes.

Culture and History

La Rondalla de Cerezo de Abajo was founded in 1990 to revive songs traditionally sung at local festivals. The Iglesia de San Román Abad is a single-nave religious building with a polygonal apse in the post-medieval Gothic style. Inside are a Romanesque baptismal font, two Baroque altarpieces and a main altar dating from the 17th century.

The Romanesque portal of the Iglesia de San Román Abad, with three archivolts, was transferred from the church of San Marcos de Mansilla. The Ermita de San Marcos de Mansilla was rebuilt in 1956 after only sections of the walls remained.

Local Cuisine

Hotel-Restaurant Langa offers Segovian cuisine and the restaurant’s own cuisine in a typically Castilian setting. La Chasca de la Dehesa was completely renovated and opened for year-round restaurant operations.

To the main travel overview: Segovia.