Dry-stone shepherd huts complex in the mountains of El Torno.
Municipality
El Torno
Suggested visit time
Not available
Access
On foot
A group of traditional pastoral shelters located in the mountains above El Torno, known as “Las Vaquerizas”. These stone huts were built using the dry-stone technique with a false dome structure, without mortar, and served as shelters for shepherds and cattle herders working in the highlands of the valley. Many date from the 19th and 20th centuries, although the building technique is much older. They represent an important example of vernacular architecture connected to traditional livestock farming in the Jerte Valley.
Address
Sierra de El Torno, zona de Las Vaquerizas, El Torno (Cáceres)
The huts are located in the mountain area known as the Vaquerizas commons, at some distance from the towns of El Torno and Rebollar. Access is usually on foot via forest tracks and livestock paths in the mountains, often as part of hiking routes or guided excursions, so it is advisable to seek prior information from tourist offices or specialised accommodations about the most suitable itineraries.
The visit is especially appealing in spring and autumn, when temperatures are milder and the surrounding chestnut and oak woodlands display their best colours. In summer, it is advisable to avoid the central hours of the day due to heat, while in winter adverse conditions such as cold, rain or fog may occur in the highlands.
MEDIA
Resource access level
It is recommended to visit the huts as part of organised routes or by following detailed itineraries, wearing mountain footwear, appropriate clothing and carrying sufficient water. Visitors should not dismantle or move stones from the structures, should not light fires inside them, and must respect this ethnographic heritage by avoiding climbing onto the roofs.
Access follows mid-mountain paths that may include slopes, loose stones and mud, making it unsuitable for those without hiking experience. In foggy or adverse weather conditions, orientation may become difficult, so extra caution is required and visitors should avoid leaving main tracks without proper preparation.