Las Hurdes

Las Hurdes is a mountainous area in northern Cáceres Province, Spain, defined by narrow valleys, wooded slopes, and small scattered villages. The roads wind over rocky passes and follow river courses, while houses built from slate and granite cling to the hillsides.

The visit of Alfonso XIII in 1922 brought the hidden life of these mountains into public view for the first time, sparking national debates about rural poverty. Later, Luis Buñuel filmed a documentary that drew further attention to the changes in the region.

Inhabitants speak a dialect that mixes Portuguese and Leonese elements, a reminder of the area's long separation from surrounding regions. On feast days, some still wear traditional black woolen suits and hand-embroidered costumes that reflect the remote life once led here.

Guesthouses and small inns offer accommodation across the five municipalities, linked by paved mountain roads. Visitors should expect narrow bends and steep climbs, especially in winter when mist and rain can reduce visibility.

In some villages, old beehives built from cork and stone still stand embedded in rock faces. These constructions once protected the hives from bears that roamed these forests.