Jerte Valley

The Jerte valley runs about fifty kilometres between two mountain walls, and its terraces hold roughly a million and a half to two million cherry trees, mostly the Picota variety, which has protected designation status and is distinguished by having no stalk when picked. For about ten days in late March or early April the whole valley turns white as the trees flower simultaneously, an event the local authorities call the Cerezo en Flor and which draws heavy traffic and a programme of village events. Predicting the exact dates is difficult and depends on the winter; the flowering moves up the valley as altitude increases, extending the window. Cherries are harvested from late May into July, sold along the roadside.

The landscape

• The white flowering - two million cherry trees blooming within days.
• The terraced slopes - stone-walled terraces up both valley walls.
• The Picota cherries - the stalkless local variety, harvested from late May.
• The village programme - the Cerezo en Flor events through blossom week.

When to go

Late March to early April for blossom, though the exact dates shift by a fortnight between years and are announced only days ahead; late May to July for cherries. The valley is busy and traffic heavy during blossom.

Good to know

Blossom timing is genuinely unpredictable and a trip booked in advance can miss it entirely. Roads through the valley become congested during the flowering weekends. Accommodation books out months ahead for that period.

Nearby

The Garganta de los Infiernos reserve is in the valley; Yuste and La Vera lie south.