Badajoz province is the largest province in Spain. It is a sparsely populated area dominated by a few rugged sierras and immense expanses of water from the damming of the River Guadiana. The scattered villages are historic, some with dolmens, Roman ruins, castles and remote hermitages. The walking is very good but avoid the hot months as there are fewer forests and routes in which to find shade. The exception is the Sierra Morena around the town of Monesterio where the sierra is very wooded with sign posted routes on woodland tracks. However, these are in varying stages of repair — some are excellent but some have their directional signs fallen and while the post is a useful indicator that you are on the right path it may not help in deciding which way to go next. Best to take a map or a handy GPS device.

One of the hillsides that make up part of the Sierra de Aguafría in the larger Sierra Morena

Near the summit of one of the ridges in the Sierra Grande de Hornachos

Top photo: View of the Castle of Hornachos (Walk 28 'The Sierras of Extremadura')