The Ham Route from Salamanca to the Southern sierras displays a region of poor soil fertility. The Phoenicians, who, around 1000 years BC, colonised the southern and south-western corner of the Iberian peninsula and brought with them, amongst other things, domesticated white pigs. Interestingly, these pigs got together with the wild boars of the area and created a strain of hog now known as Cerdo Ibérico or Cerdo Negra.
In this mountainous land of southern Salamanca province, Guijuelo and surrounding villages are routinely producing the same traditional fare as they have done for centuries. The Cerdo Ibérico , the Black Iberian Pig.

Great landscapes, Great people, Great route
The Ham Route around Guijuelo goes through very typical villages. We start from Salamanca, alternatively from Baños de Montemayor. Guijuelo is the real start of our ham route, how could it be otherwise, it is the Mecca of the purest, finest cured Ham on earth. There will be a ham cure factory visit, a culinary treat, followed by the visit of four other traditional villages.

During the coldest days of winter, we propose a cultural experience for visitors who want a true insight of the traditional "matanza".
During spring and summer, we keep going along this route, going through two more traditional villages of the sierra. We will combine a scenic route with a culinary adventure. If time allows, in summer, we 'll have a bath in tourist free spots of Alagon river.

Did you know that...
The effect of the outdoor rearing period of pigs influence the iberian ham characteristics. The importance of the fattening conditions of pigs is reflected in the current grading system of Iberian ham.

And that...
The acorn diet is uniquely composed of acorn (for bellota ham and to some degree Serrano ham). It is high in fats and oils, and the fact that the free-range lifestyle of the Iberian pigs creates deposits of fat within the muscle
tissue, gives way to a meat product that is sweet-tasting. Variety of meat that can be prepared out of the pig as every single bit of the hog is used.

Itinerary: Guijuelo, Fuenterroble de Salvatierra, Frades de la Sierra, Monleón, Miranda del Castañar, Sotoserrano.