And if you'd prefer to travel the route on horseback, here's an offer including accommodation, breakfast, thermal spa access... A luxury experience at the best price.
Embark on a journey steeped in history - we present this Imperial Route, the very path Emperor Charles V followed in 1556 from Laredo to his retirement at the Monastery of Yuste.
After his abdication in 1556, Charles I of Spain and V of Germany began his journey from Flanders to Laredo, where he disembarked on 28th September that same year, before continuing to the La Vera region in Extremadura. Suffering from gout, Charles V apparently found La Vera's climate and tranquillity ideal for his convalescence.
On 3rd February 1557, Charles V reached his destination, taking residence in the monastery he'd commissioned: the Monastery of Yuste. He remained there until his death in September 1558.
Imagine walking through the same places as the Emperor, discovering his story, seeing where he stayed and dined, even witnessing reenactments of events from his journey.
What took the Emperor three months has become today a route of significant historical interest, divided into stages you can complete in various ways - most commonly by hiking - adapting them to your schedule.
What is the Route of Charles V?
The Route of Charles V is a joint project supported and promoted by the Spanish municipalities through which the Emperor and his retinue passed en route to his retirement. This route recreates the journey and events surrounding the first Spanish monarch of the Habsburg dynasty.
The Route spans 457 kilometres from Laredo to the Monastery of Yuste. This cross-country journey from Cantabria to Extremadura passes through the Basque Country and Castile and León. Designed primarily for walking, some sections are particularly enjoyable by bicycle.
Your adventure begins in Laredo. There you can experience reenactments of the Emperor's landing and the medieval market still celebrated during festivals on the third weekend of September.
From there, the path leads to Medina del Pomar in Burgos, passing through Colindres, Limpias, Ampuero, Rasines, Ramales de la Victoria, Soba, Lanestosa and finally Medina. You can complete this section independently or join a hiking group, as it's one of the routes defined by the Government of Cantabria in collaboration with local councils.
For adventurers seeking more than hiking, there's caving in Rasines at the Caves of Río Silencio, with 51km of galleries. Don't miss the Covalanas Cave or Cullalvera Cave in Ramales, featuring prehistoric paintings.
Beyond Burgos, another stage begins through Palencia, passing Torquemada and Dueñas. After Palencia, the route enters Valladolid via Cabezón de Pisuerga, Valdestillas and Medina del Campo.
Continuing through Castile and León to Ávila and Salamanca, the route passes Horcajo de las Torres, Peñaranda de Bracamonte, Piedrahíta and Barco de Ávila.
Entering Extremadura via Tornavacas, the Route reaches its final stretch through Piornal, Garganta la Olla, Jarandilla de la Vera and finally Cuacos de Yuste. This final push can also be done separately via the Charles V Crossing organised by mountaineering clubs from La Vera and Jerte regions, running from Tornavacas to Cuacos.
The journey culminates at the Monastery of Yuste, designated a National Heritage Site in 2007. Here you'll discover more about its history and the Palace-House Emperor Charles V commissioned for his final years. He died here in 1558 from malaria.
Each route section offers several fascinating trails, with options varying in difficulty and featuring different landscapes and monuments.
Proposed European Cultural Itinerary
Recently, the Cooperation Network of Charles V Route Cities and Municipalities began proceedings to nominate this Laredo-to-Cuacos de Yuste journey as a "European Cultural Itinerary".
This designation, awarded by the Council of Europe to transnational routes (hence allowing participation from Belgian, Dutch and Portuguese institutions), recognises paths used by ancient civilisations or significant to cultural/economic movements. The aim is promoting cultural heritage within a European framework.
A story transformed into adventure and an adventure rich with history. Choose a single stage or undertake the complete multi-day route - a perfect leisure alternative combining adventure sports with cultural enrichment.
