Ascent to Torozo, the rock of the Cinco Villas de Gredos
There are many travelers who visit daily the Peak Port, the high one that, in the municipality of Valley Villarejo, joins the south face with the north face of the Sierra de Gredos. Photography lovers, mushroom pickers, customers of your restaurant, hikers, climbers... If you are one of these last two, you will surely go to the Torozo, the rock that proudly dominates the Cinco Villas ravine.
With an altitude of 2,021 m, it is the westernmost peak of the eastern sector of the Sierra de Gredos. To take the path (marked as PR-AV 37, of about three and a half hours in all, plus what we entertain upstairs or in between) just leave the car in the parking lot that is in the port itself and follow the indications that are on that same side of the N-502 road (to the right if we have climbed from Cuevas del Valle).
Las Cinco Villas, five charming towns to explore and enjoy in slow motion
the hard climb about two hours, being the hardest the first one, since we will have to face a relentless slope. In 20 minutes we will run into the first shelter (of the Majada del Tío Manteca), open to any mountaineer who wants to spend the night and with a source of spring water (untreated) on its left wall. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, so don't count on it. To the right we will see a small path. It is the one that climbers take to go to the base of the rock (about half an hour) to continue the climb from there on one of the routes that are open.
We continue straight ahead, and we will verify that soon the road begins to zigzag. At the end of this zigzag (an hour since we started) the worst will have happened: we will already have enviable views of the area, and the path will become a small path more or less flat that will give respite to the slope. In addition, soon we will run into the Belesa Fountain, whose (untreated) water always runs.
In a matter of half an hour we will arrive at the second refuge (of the Cervunales), with a roof, picnic area and barbecue (forbidden to light it in the hot months) on the outside and also for free use. Over there it will be easy to find a cow grazing on the meadow paths that extend along this stretch of the road. to the right we'll see the top of Torozo, for which we will have half an hour on foot.
It is enough to walk a little more through the meadows until we reach the crest, where we will begin to Go back over the rocks until you reach the geodesic vertex that indicates the peak: El Torozo, 2021 m. At its feet we will find a metal box held by some stones, in case we want to put a letter, message, photo or any memory that we want to leave there as Witness our ascent.
Time to sit down, eat our sandwich, take out our camera and enjoy the panoramic views that we will have of the two faces of Gredos. Just below, on the south face, we can see the Five Villas at the same time. Starting with the town that we have just below on the left, and following the direction of clockwise, are Villarejo del Valle, San Esteban del Valle, Santa Cruz del Valle, Mombeltrán (commonly known as La Villa) and Cuevas del Valle.
When we are satisfied, we will return the same way we came. Now it will take a little less (an hour and a half), especially if we catch a shortcut that crosses the zigzag area in a straight line.
Surprises that our ascent to Torozo leaves us
Once we arrive at Puerto del Pico, the most common is give yourself a prize at La Parada del Arriero. In this restaurant we can go from having a coffee or a beer to paying homage in style, enjoying its privileged panoramic views if we take a table on its terrace (It is best to book in advance and take care of ourselves in health). From Monday to Friday offers menu of the day (except Wednesdays, his day off) and on weekends, a la carte dishes (in addition to sandwiches and portions).
In any case, it is best to order the typical dishes of the area: migas, revolconas potatoes, veneers (bean stew), Ávila steak (it should be shared between two, given its size) or any of the recipes made with boletus (grilled, croquettes, salad...). Among the vegetarian options, there is also gazpacho (in season), grilled vegetables, grilled wild asparagus and tomato and onion salad. The perfect finishing touch for our getaway.