The Network of livestock trails of the Community of Madrid
Cattle trails are ancient roads traditionally used for cattle transit, which constituted the fundamental infrastructure of Castilian transhumance in the Middle Ages.
The main livestock trails are royal glens, very long routes that cross the Iberian Peninsula with a predominant north-south direction, and there are also other minor categories of livestock routes classified according to their width.
The set formed by the royal ravines and other Spanish cattle trails constitute a unique historical heritage in Europe and in the world, which is necessary to preserve and promote.
The territory of the Community of Madrid, as the geographical center of the peninsula, is crossed by four royal ravines, as well as by a large number of other livestock trails (cordeles, sidewalks and lava flows) that together total 4.104 kilometers in length and more than 13.000 hectares of surface (1,6% of the territory of the region).
The cattle trails are public domain assets, and as such, they are inalienable (they cannot be sold), imprescriptible (they do not prescribe with the passage of time) and unattachable (they cannot be seized).
The actions of the Community of Madrid in matters of livestock trails are especially aimed at:
- Ensure its conservation and adopt the necessary measures for its restoration and protection.
- Ensuring the biodiversity and genetic exchange of the flora and fauna of the Community of Madrid through cattle trails, as well as contributing to the preservation of native breeds and the use of grazing resources.
- Promote and encourage contact between urban and rural areas.
Types of cattle trails
Two large groups of cattle trails can be distinguished:
- Those intended primarily for cattle transit, which are classified according to their width in:
- Canadas: Up to 75 meters
- Strings: Up to 37,5 meters
- Sidewalks: Up to 20 meters
- Casting: Any livestock route of less width than the previous ones
- Those associated with rest of herds on their journeys:
- landings
- watering holes
- Sheepfolds
Cartography of the livestock routes of the Community of Madrid
From the IDEM Geoportal You can access all the geographical information of the Community of Madrid and Vías Pecuarias through its Catalogue:
- Consultation of thematic viewers
- Download cartography in shape format and consult metadata
- Access to wms display services
Access the IDEM catalog to consult and download the cartography of Livestock Routes of the Community of Madrid
You can also download a map in "KMZ" format (*) to view it with the free program Google Earth. Steps to follow:
- Download the file "kmz".
- Open it with Google Earth.
- Once opened, you can enter the name of your municipality in the "Fly to" option (located in the upper left corner). You will see the information on the related livestock routes by clicking on each of the red lines.
(*) Cartography exclusively for informational purposes
Inventory of Livestock Routes
The cattle routes constitute a unique heritage that it is necessary to know in order to preserve and protect it as it deserves.
The set of all the livestock routes constitutes the so-called Inventory of Livestock Routes of the Community of Madrid, which includes the classification of each livestock route, determining its existence, width, layout and other general characteristics. This Inventory is carried out by virtue of the provisions of Law 8/1998, of June 15, on Livestock Routes of the Community of Madrid.
Catalog of Livestock Routes of the Community of Madrid
Cattle trails are categorized into two types:
- of natural interest, are the routes of the Network of livestock routes of the Community of Madrid or sections of them that run within the limits of the protected natural spaces of the Community, as well as those that are of special value in terms of nature conservation and , especially, those that preserve or connect the protected natural spaces of the Community with each other.
- of cultural interest, those routes of the Network that present special cultural or recreational value.
The Catalog of Livestock Routes of natural and/or cultural interest includes those routes that have been declared as such.
Native breeds in the Community of Madrid
The name of the breed comes from Colmenar Viejo, in whose term the most important nucleus of animals of the breed has traditionally been settled. It is very localized in the northern part of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, occupying areas of outstanding altitude, with a very dry climate and very low temperatures in winter.
Based on its morphology, mainly related to the characteristics of the fleece of the wool and the pigmentation presented, the breed is framed in the Churro Trunk.
The Colmenareña sheep is subject to an extensive exploitation regime, leaving to graze practically every day of the year, grouping in flocks of size between 150 and 250 reproducers. Its high rusticity and great capacity to adapt to an environment of extraordinary hardness are remarkable, for which it has had to adopt ellipometric shapes in order to reduce its nutritional needs.
Censuses in Madrid 2017: 6.190 animals in 27 farms
The name of the breed comes from the blonde hue that its individuals have on their heads and limbs, and from the town of El Molar in Madrid.
Its most direct ancestor could be the Latxa breed with a blond face, with which it bears a lot of similarities in character.
Its area of occupation is located in the Northwest of the Autonomous Community of Madrid. It is an area where, as a result of the unfavorable weather and poor soil, pastures are scarce and of low quality.
It is exploited in grazing, generally in areas of meadows, pastures and scrub. In summer it takes advantage of the stubble in the exploitation area. It is grouped in herds of 150-200 sheep, led by the owner of the cattle, who acts as a shepherd.
Censuses in Madrid 2017: 1.451 animals in 9 farms
It is a general criterion to attribute bos taurus ibericus, or black cattle from the center of the peninsula, the direct origin of the breed. Starting in the second half of the XNUMXth century, the geographical area of the large Iberian black bovine was reduced to the Central Plateau, giving rise to the Serrana group, which received different names as a result of its geographical settlement.
It is a breed widely distributed throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Specimens can be found in Castilla y León, Extremadura, Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, La Rioja, Aragón, Andalusia, Valencia, Catalonia, up to a total of 20 provinces. In general in mountain areas, mountains and meadows.
Closely linked to transhumance activity between mountains and extremes, it is perfectly adapted to extensive exploitation, with an effective capacity for weight gain or loss, depending on the availability of food.
Its meat, which has historically recognized quality, is currently protected by the IGP “Carne de Ávila” and “Carne de la Sierra de Guadarrama”.
Censuses in Madrid 2017: 4.242 animals in 61 farms
The breed is named after the Comarca del Guadarrama, a geographical area located in the Community of Madrid and Castilla y León, where the main nucleus of animals of this racial entity is exploited. Also known as Guadarrameña, del Moncayo and Guadarrama and goat from the Center of Spain.
In general, the Guadarrama goat breed occupies medium-difficult mountain areas in the Central System, in the northwestern part of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, frequently in abrupt terrain of the mountains and extends through areas of the mountains of Segovia and Ávila.
The exploitation system responds to the mixed type. The herd spends the night in the goat herd, where it receives the complementary ration, based on concentrates and hay, when the situation requires it. In general, these are family farms that group between 100 and 300 goats. The main objective of their farm is milk production.
Censuses in Madrid 2017: 6.821 animals in 22 farms
It is widely distributed geographically throughout Spain, since, among other issues, it is linked to fighting cattle as a halter.
Located in the dehesa, it is linked to areas of low production in grasslands like other native breeds, linked to the soil, maintaining this ecosystem and a biosustainable use.
Culturally deeply rooted, not because of what is linked to the bullfighting race and work in the field and in the bullrings, but also because of the use in yoke of carts, especially oxen, which are linked to folklore and religious festive manifestations.
Extensive regimen for females with use of pastures and intensive regimen for calves destined for fattening for meat production.
Pronghorn in Colorado: Censuses in Madrid 2017: 899 animals in 12 farms.
Berrenda en Negra: Censuses in Madrid 2017: 292 animals in 11 farms.