The Puente de Los Cabriles hiking trail begins next to the road that connects Encinasola with Cumbres de San Bartolomé and follows a path running parallel to the road until it reaches the Abrevadero del Pilar de Acá watering hole. Here it joins the Colada del Camino de la Conteienda track where there are information panels about the role of livestock and transhumance throughout this border region with Portugal.

The path briefly follows the old Camino de la Conteienda, with olive groves and small orchards on both sides where you can see typical old constructions of the area such as the "bujardas", ancient circular sheepfolds that served as a shelter for livestock.


The hiking trail turns off to follow the access road to the Ermita de Rocamador which we keep on our right while our route begins the long descent in search of the Rivera del Múrtigas. Along this road, the horizon narrows, squashed between successive series of hills and promontories, witnesses of the erosive processes that have shaped this part of Sierra Morena for millions of years.

A singular characteristic of this part of our route is the rocky surface made up mainly of outcrops of quartzite, greywacke and massive slates, with hardly any stretches of soil or loose materials. The vegetation in this section denotes the intervention of man over the centuries and, in particular, his dedication to breeding livestock. Xerophytes predominate such as Montpellier cistus, rockrose, lavender and rosemary, while the more hygrophilous species are confined to the banks of the Arroyo de las Conteiendas stream and other small waterways that accompany us along the route. On the slopes it is common to see flocks of sheep and goats, signs of the pastoral tradition of the region.


The last stretch of the descent coincides with a another change in the landscape that now becomes less abrupt and more open. The rocky outcrops disappear and the panoramas are now much more open and spacious. On both sides of the road there are meadows of holm oaks and olive groves. In the lower areas, eucalyptus trees accompany us until we reach the Múrtigas riverbank and a few metres ahead, the Puente de los Cabriles bridge, the end of our route.

The bridge, unexpectedly large and spectacular, dates from around the 15th century and at the time it served to connect the population of Encinasola with the border region of Las Contiendas. The name "los Cabriles" alludes to the ram-like figures that decorate the upper part of the cutwaters on the pillars.

From here, you can go down to the riverbank and enjoy the magnificent gallery forest that runs on both sides of the river. Ash trees, poplars, willows and majestic white eucalyptus offer shade and shelter to a multitude of birds, reptiles and small mammals.