Beyond the Camino de Santiago: the pilgrimage route from Madrid to an incredible monastery in Cuenca

Hiking enthusiasts find Spain a perfect destination for discovering incredible places . Within the region, you can hike through the mountains, forests, valleys, and charming villages, as well as coastal trails. Perhaps one of the best-known is the Camino de Santiago , a route with different variations that attracts thousands of people each year seeking to experience it.

For those looking for an alternative to this pilgrimage route, there is another one in our country: the Camino de Uclés . There is a close relationship between both routes, since they have similar characteristics. In this case, it starts in Madrid and its destination is the Monastery of Uclés , a historic building that was created in the 10th century by the Order of Santiago in the province of Cuenca .

The Uclés Way route

This route begins at the Church of the Holy Apostle in the capital. It continues to the Almudena Cathedral , the place where the credential for this route is first stamped, and continues to Rivas-Vaciamadrid . The first cross leads to the monument to Velázquez, the former Knight of the Order of Santiago. This path is 26.6 kilometers long.

The second stage is from Rivas to Morata de Tajuña, a 26.5-kilometer route that runs along the greenway of the former Tajuña Railway. The next stage runs from this town to Carabaña, a town known for its medicinal mineral waters and a spa that is both nationally and internationally renowned.

The last section of this greenway leads to Estremera . Along this 15.5-kilometer route, you can visit the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios , a 16th-century building declared a Historic-Artistic Monument.

The fifth stage delves into the Alta Mancha region of Cuenca, reaching Barajas de Melo . Here you'll find the parish church of San Juan Bautista , built in the 15th century with an incredible Plateresque façade.

The route through the villages on the banks of the Gritos River in the heart of Cuenca

And finally, the route between Barajas de Melo and the Monastery of Uclés is approximately 22.9 kilometers . It's the last stop before reaching this spectacular building that perfectly combines Plateresque, Herrerian, and Churrigueresque architecture.

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