As the summer heat gives way to autumn’s golden palette and the air turns crisp, the inland regions of the Iberian Peninsula undergo a transformation. This is the perfect time to step off the beaten tourist path and immerse yourself in a different reality, where time flows more slowly. In 2025, more and more people are choosing leisurely walks along the ancient drover’s roads known as Cañadas Reales. These centuries-old routes, once trodden by countless flocks of sheep, have become portals to the past, offering a unique combination of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant traditions.
The revival of these historic routes is being spearheaded by the ambitious “Caminos de la Merina” project. Its main goal is not just to map forgotten trails, but to breathe new life into them, turning them into hubs for meaningful tourism. The initiative is a whole ecosystem uniting farmers, artisans, rural hotel owners, and local producers. Together, they create a unique experience for those who seek not just rest, but a genuine encounter with the soul of pastoral Spain. The project features four main routes, each with its own character and set of activities.
One of these routes is the Silver Cañada, stretching for 500 kilometers. Walking along it is more than just trekking. It’s a chance to visit the Textile Museum in Béjar, where the secrets of wool processing are preserved, or to see for yourself how traditional manufactories operate, their way of life unchanged for centuries. Near Trujillo, you can immerse yourself in authentic rural life for a day, get acquainted with the daily routines of livestock farmers, and understand just how closely their fate is tied to the land.
The western Leonese cañada is even more impressive—more than 700 kilometers long. The range of activities here is remarkable. In León, enthusiasts can join the Spinners’ School and master the ancient art of turning sheep’s wool into fine thread. For the more adventurous, sheep shearing workshops are organized—a task that requires both skill and strength. And when night falls, you can head to the Segurilla Observatory to gaze at the stars, far from city lights, surrounded by the very silence that has enveloped herders for centuries.
Cañada de los Chorros, better known as the Cañada de Cuenca, stretches for 400 kilometers from the mountains of Serranía de Cuenca to the foothills of the Sierra Morena. This route is rich in cultural sites and gastronomic discoveries. Along the way, you can visit small local museums that highlight the importance of sheep farming in the region. There are also innovative startups here that find new uses for wool, turning it into designer goods and building materials. And of course, it’s impossible to pass by the cheese dairies that produce the famous Manchego cheese, protected by its origin.
The fourth major route, the Cañada de Rioja, also covers more than 400 kilometers. It crosses La Rioja, Soria, Guadalajara, Madrid, and Toledo before reaching Andalusia. The highlight of this route is the chance to join an authentic livestock migration. Several days on foot alongside vast flocks of sheep, under the guidance of experienced drovers, is an experience that can change your perspective. The road is also lined with family-run cheese factories and traditional wineries, where you can sample local products infused with the taste and aroma of the land.
This autumn, Spain’s ancient roads invite travelers to a leisurely journey. It’s an invitation to slow down, discover nearly forgotten crafts, savor local flavors, and immerse yourself in landscapes that are living historical records. Traveling along the Cañadas Reales is not only a way to explore the country’s natural and cultural heritage. It’s also a way to support sustainable tourism, which helps preserve the unique character and vitality of rural Spain, the heart of the Iberian Peninsula.
