Cross-border hiking trail 2026

Walk along the border between Spain and Portugal, observing stunning nature and heritage.

This time, we’re addressing hiking enthusiasts with the “Cross-Border” route, an exciting trail that runs along the border with our neighbor Portugal and reveals many of the best treasures hidden in the Valencia de Alcántara countryside, both in terms of environment and heritage.

We’re talking about a circular route, about 24 kilometers long and taking approximately 5-6 hours. It’s fully signposted and certified by the Extremadura Mountain and Climbing Federation (FEXME), and for the more experienced hikers, we’ve included a link to its technical specifications. Officially, it takes place every year around the last Sunday of March or the first Sunday of April (we’ve included the poster for this year’s 2026 edition). Hundreds of hikers from all over Spain and Portugal love to do the route on the day itself, as they not only enjoy the hike but also marvel at the explosion of spring along the entire route. So, mark the date on your calendars!

This route starts and finishes at the Santa María de Guadalupe Hostel. The first section takes us into the mountains, reaching the area known as “Casas de la Duda” (Houses of Doubt), a spot right on the border with Portugal, before arriving at the hamlet of El Pino. From here, the route takes us to “El Cortijo de la Paja,” a site that marks the southern boundary of the Valencia de Alcántara countryside. Next, we descend to the hamlet of Jola, where we can cross the stream of the same name. From Jola, we climb back up before descending directly to the “El Jiniebro” area, at the foot of the Aguas Claras Pass. This serves as an approach to the hamlet of La Aceña de la Borrega, from where we continue towards one of the most environmentally and historically significant sections of the route. In this part of the trail, we can enjoy the Berrocal de Data Natural Monument and three of the best-preserved dolmens (El Mellizo, Data I, and Data II). If you’d like to learn more about this part of the route, I’ve included a link to the article we published about this area. In the final stage of the route, we will cross through the village of El Pino again and one kilometer further on we will arrive back at the Santa María de Guadalupe Hostel.

We want to emphasize that, although it’s well worth the effort for its rich heritage and natural environment, and the breathtaking panoramic views that will fill your eyes, this route is for people accustomed to this type of activity, as it includes some particularly challenging sections in addition to its length.

For those who undertake this experience, we recommend finishing by enjoying the fantastic local cuisine in any of the restaurants you’ll find in Valencia de Alcántara and its surrounding countryside, and savoring a leisurely after-dinner conversation with friends, reminiscing about the moments you experienced on the trail.

Finally, if you’re looking for rural accommodation to enjoy this experience and explore the rest of the region, we offer fully equipped and comfortable lodging to ensure you have everything you need during your stay. We’ve included a link so you can check availability and prices. However, we are also available by phone at +34 660 080 648 or by email reservas@arsanpedro.es.