The Silver Route was, in pre-Roman times, an itinerary used for seasonal migrations between the south and the north of the peninsular West. A Roman road began to be constructed in the IInd century BC, in order to connect the cities of Emerita Augusta (Merida) and Astorga, and it became one of the most important routes of communication on the entire Iberian Peninsula. Even today many of the Roman constructions, like bridges, fortresses and miliar stones (granitic rolls that indicate the miles) and ‘mansios’ (places for travellers to rest, and origins of some of the present populations) are still standing up, resisting the passage of time.

Later, the route united Astorga with Gijon in the north, and Merida with Seville in the south. That means that the Silver Route, once it had been finished, was a Roman road that crossed practically the entire western part of the Peninsula from north to south, from Gijon to Seville.

During the period of the ‘Mesta’, the temporary transfer of bovine cattle in search of better grasses, the Silver Royal Cattle Track was located partially on the Roman road, which was used intensively for the transfer of cattle until the appearance of railroads and highways in modern times.

Unlike the Way of Santiago, the Silver Route allows one to go many kilometres, crossing the countryside, walking or by bicycle, without seeing anybody, and to enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes that change gradually while the latitude changes.

The more outstanding natural landscapes of the route are found in Extremadura: the Natural Park of Monfragüe, the mountain range of Gata, and the holm oaks of the Natural Park of Cornalvo, are some examples, in addition to the Salmantine Meadows or the shore of the River Duero in Zamora.

Astorga, Benavente, Zamora, Salamanca, Bejar, Plasencia, Cáceres and Mérida are some of the cities in which this millenarian path has written history in stone, for more than 2000 years.