El Jerte with children: from the cherry trees to the baths in paradise 2026

Can you imagine being able to see a wonderful snowy landscape in the middle of spring (ignoring the atrocities that the feared climate change is leading to)? It is possible without leaving Spain.

You only need to travel 280 kilometers from Madrid to the west; specifically to the north of Cáceres, where the Jerte Valley is located, the quintessential place to enjoy the blossoming of cherry trees (typical in the region).

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They are so famous that they even have their own festival, declared of National Tourist Interest: “The Cherry Blossom Festival” which this 2020 is celebrated between March 21 and May 1. Why so long? Because flowering is not exact and no one can know for sure what day the flowers will be in their maximum splendor. That depends on the weather. Although, judging by the temperatures, this year will probably be earlier than expected.

This festival is a true delight for all the senses of children and adults, who will be able to see a long white field as far as their eyes can see. It proposes hiking routes, marches, representations of life and an approach to the daily life of the inhabitants of the Jerte Valley who, very kindly, open the doors of their region.

But, nevertheless, this region hides many more paradises apart from the cherry trees. For all those who cannot come on this date, summer is another optimal time to come.

And it is because, although in Extremadura the heat is well known in the summer, in the Jerte Region they are very lucky: they have Los Pilones: 13 natural pools formed by the erosion of water on the granite and which can be reached through a hiking route (quite easy for the little ones) that crosses the Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve.

As if this were not enough, the cultural and architectural wealth of the eleven towns that make up this region and its proximity to Madrid, make it a perfect enclave to spend a weekend or a few days of rest with the little ones.

Spring and Cherry Blossom

One of the must-see attractions for everyone who visits the Jerte Valley is the Cherry Blossom Festival. This celebration, which this year is celebrated between March 21 and May 3, encompasses three well-known festivals: 'The Awakening of the Valley' from March 21 to 26: just at the end of the winter equinox and with the snow still in the mountains, you can enjoy the gorges loaded with the cold water of snowfall, the first migratory birds that return to spend the summer and, of course, the first cherry blossoms. Next, the best-known festival takes place: the 'Cherry Blossom Festival' declared of National Tourist Interest, which this year will take place between March 27 and April 4. Hiking routes to see the white spectacle that the cherry blossoms provide, representations of the typical life of the people of the Valley or different music activities are just some of the plans that can be enjoyed.

And to say goodbye, from April 5 to May 3 the so-called 'Rain of Petals' is celebrated when the trees begin to lose their flowers and turn an intense green.

The pylons

Another of the perfect times to visit the Jerte Valley is the summer season in which you can immerse yourself in the 'Garganta de los Infiernos'. And, although the heat is overwhelming in Extremadura, there is nothing like a refreshing swim in the well-known 'Los Pilones': natural pools created by nature when the water of the Jerte River collides with the granite of the rock. To get to them, you will have to get to Cabezuela del Valle and there take the road by car that will take you to the Garganta de los Infiernos Interpretation Center, where you can park. From here, a short one-hour hiking route (and of little difficulty) will take you to this hidden paradise.

If you cannot go in summer, autumn or spring are the other two perfect times to enjoy the wonders that nature offers in this enclave.

Natural pools

In addition to 'Los Pilones', the region is full of other natural pools that are filled with the waters of the Jerte River and that are perfectly equipped for bathing: they have beach bars, sandy areas, grass... you can find them throughout the eleven towns that make up Jerte.

Cabezuela del Valle

This is the largest town in the entire Valle del Jerte region (it has more than 2000 inhabitants). Its old town is especially interesting, declared a historical-artistic complex, made up of steep streets and blind alleys that are the remains of an old Jewish quarter in the area. In addition, in the streets you can enjoy its numerous hermitages and churches and the Water Interpretation Center of the Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserves, where they explain everything about this curious place.

Cherry Museum

Another place that you can visit in Cabezuela is the Cherry Museum. One of its greatest features is that it is located in a typical construction of the valley where you can appreciate the details of the architecture of this place. Inside, you can learn about the different varieties of cherries (especially the typical 'Picotas del Valle') and there are different interactive resources and representation of all the tasks involved in caring for these trees.

Memory Viewpoint

Approximately two kilometers from El Torno (one of the towns) you can enjoy the immense views of the Valley and the Sierra de Tormantos from a viewpoint that will not leave you indifferent: and it is where the structure that gives it its name is located: melancholic structures (specifically three naked men and a woman) of life size that Francisco Cedenilla Carrasco created in memory of the victims of the Civil War and Francoism. These became, if possible, more famous after appearing in the report 'The Silence of Others'

Ancient chestnut trees

Casas de Castañares is another of the towns that make up the Valle del Jerte region and is surrounded by chestnut trees and oak groves. In its surroundings there are several specimens of chestnut trees that are over 700 years old and to visit them you can take different hiking routes, perhaps a bit tiring for children. The best time to go is in autumn, since the chestnut trees will have their fruits about to be harvested.

Piornal

Another place that you cannot miss is the enclave of Piornal, a small town that is the highest in the entire Valley and in all of Extremadura. Specifically, it is located 1200 meters above sea level, something that makes summer temperatures very pleasant. The town itself is a spectacle for its numerous fountains and its small square, but if it is known for something, it is for the 'El Jarramplas' festival, declared of National Tourist Interest and celebrated between January 19 and 20. If you are going to go, we recommend that you bring plenty of warm clothing and be careful on the roads, as they are often icy or snowy.

The Vera

Without a doubt, you cannot leave the Jerte Valley without visiting its 'sister' region: La Vera. You won't need to go far, since it is practically next to the Valley. There you can run through its towns, walk through the Monastery of Yuste (where Charles V died), visit the castle of Los Condes de Oropesa in Jarandilla de la Vera (today Parador de Turismo) or get lost in its streets that will transport you to distant times. In the summer, you can also take the opportunity to take a dip in some of its many natural pools known by the locals as 'throats'.

Plasencia

Although it does not belong to this or any other community, Plasencia does border the Jerte Valley (and five others). It is located at the entrance to the Valley, although it does not belong to it and there you can delight in its wonderful architecture that passes its two cathedrals (the old and the new), the wall or the multitude of palaces and stately homes such as the palace of the Marquis of Mirabel or the municipal palace. It also has part of what was a medieval aqueduct.