| From Montalbán to the Peñarroyas neighborhood (5.5 kilometers), follow the road on the left bank of the Martín river, around the cultivated land.
The road ends in Peñarroyas. This village belongs to Montalbán, and is an example of country architecture. Heading northeast, after passing through the village, we will get to a street division where we will take the left fork. The Saint Antoine pillar (peirón de San Antón) marks the end of the urban center. The street turns into a path going uphill towards the spectacular Peñas Rodenas, on the left side of the Martín river. The path soon becomes a wide cobbled road that runs uphill parallel to the rock layers of sandstones. These layers give us an idea of the different phases of sedimentation that have created the Peñas. A number of information boards will help us identify the different and impressive points of geological interest of the Peñas.
The Portillo (850 m. above sea level), a lookout from a rocky balcony above the Martín river, offers us an amazing view of the valley.
From the Portillo, we will start an easy descent along a cobbled path to another lookout. Here, we can find reptile tracks tracing back to the Triassic period, more than 200 million years ago. We will then reach the bed of the Martín river, and from this point we will have to cross the river repeatedly, both to get to the Tajar waterfall (also Cañuelo ravine waterfall), and to continue the route along the Peñas Royas canyons. The canyons channel the Martín river, to a stagnation point-the Bolletes pools . It is recommended to have a spare pair of shoes in your backpack. This part of the route is not recommended if the river has risen.
From the Bolletes pools we will take the path to Peñarroyas, passing by rock engravings, and traditional farmyards with floors paved with reddish tiles. |
Classification:
Circular excursion. 
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