The project began as an initiative to promote local tourism by utilizing the abandoned sandstone quarries along the reservoir.
Sculptures like 'El Chamán' and 'La Monja' were designed to harmonize with the natural fissures and textures of the rock face.
The artists used simple tools including chisels and hammers to manually carve each face into the native stone.
The site is situated on a peninsula within the Buendía Reservoir, which is one of the largest in Spain.
The project remains an ongoing endeavor, with additional carvings occasionally added to the peripheral areas of the route.
La Ruta de las Caras is a 1.5-kilometer hiking trail located in Buendía, Cuenca, featuring 18 sculptures carved directly into sandstone cliffs. The carvings, ranging from 1 to 3 meters in height, were created by artists Jorge Maldonado and Eulogio Reguillo starting in 1992. The route overlooks the Buendía Reservoir and integrates human-made art with the surrounding pine forest landscape. The sculptures depict diverse figures, including religious icons, mythological beings, and symbolic faces. The trail is circular and involves moderate elevation changes on natural terrain. The sandstone substrate of the site is sensitive to weathering, necessitating a ban on touching or climbing the carvings.
The 'El Chamán' sculpture offers the most iconic perspective with the reservoir visible in the background.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good grip, as the trail surface consists of loose dirt, pine needles, and sandstone debris.
Carry sufficient water, as there are no potable water sources or kiosks along the trail itself.
Follow the clearly marked directional posts to ensure you see all 18 carvings in the intended sequence.
Do not attempt the trail in heavy rain, as the sandstone paths become slippery and the clay-heavy soil can become muddy.
Do not touch, climb, or scratch the sandstone sculptures; stay strictly on the marked path to prevent soil erosion.
