The best gravel rides around Embalse de El Vicario

Homage to Our Lady of the Atalaya. Located halfway between the Antennas and the Mirador.

Picnic areas next to the water tanks. Plenty of picnic tables in the shade.

Beautiful views from here, of the golf course, where today's rains have caused the ponds to fill with water.

A good place to rest after the climb. The La Atalaya Forest Park in Ciudad Real has several playgrounds and picnic areas that are perfect for enjoying with family or friends. In addition, the park offers a very pleasant natural environment with hiking trails and sports areas. It is a perfect place to spend a full day surrounded by nature.

The Iron Bridge over the Guadiana River, also known as the Austrias Bridge, is a significant engineering work in the history of Ciudad Real and the region of Castilla-La Mancha. It was built to be part of the railway line that connected Ciudad Real with Badajoz, being an important route for transport and communication in the first half of the 20th century. The construction of the bridge began in 1921 and was completed in 1927. Its design and construction were carried out by the company Material para Ferrocarriles y Construcciones S.A., which used advanced techniques for the time. The bridge is made up of an iron metal structure, supported by masonry pillars, which gives it its characteristic name. During the Spanish Civil War, the bridge played a strategic role and was damaged due to its importance for the movement of troops and supplies. It was later repaired and continued in use until the railway line was decommissioned in the 1960s. Today, the Iron Bridge is a protected monument and a testament to the region's industrial heritage. It is a popular place for walks and hiking trails, allowing visitors to appreciate both its historical value and the natural views of the Guadiana River and its surroundings.

The Malvecinos bridge is located in the northwestern quadrant of the municipality of Carrión de Calatrava, at km 6,500 of the CR-211 provincial highway that goes from Carrión to Fernán Caballero. Since the Middle Ages, its dam-bridge was one of the most notable historical passages of the Guadiana River in this area, forming part of the route of the Cañada Real de la Plata. Unfortunately, its current state is critical due to the uncontrolled growth of vegetation, which has made urgent intervention necessary for its conservation and to avoid its ruin. The Tablas de Calatrava Naturalist Association has promoted a rehabilitation project in four phases to preserve this historical heritage. We hope that this unique enclave in Alto Guadiana can be protected and restored! 🌉🌿

Ruins next to the road junction that takes us to Cerro de San Cristobal on the left. To the right would take us to Carrión de Calatrava. All facing the Malvecinos Bridge.

In 1941, the nationalization of the Iberian gauge network meant that the facilities became dependent on the newly created RENFE. During the 1970s, the route was electrified and entered service on November 28, 1975. Over time, the original Miguelturra station was demolished and replaced by a new facility dedicated to logistics functions, without passenger service.