 This ancient custom of carrying the herds in winter to the valley of Alcudia, remains at a lower level today, as transhumance routes for livestock have been replaced by modern means of transportation such as rail or road.Families who live in the valley in winter are known as "Serranos" as they come from the mountains (sierras) in Guadalajara, Soria, Teruel and other provinces.The economy in Mestanza was based on mining and grazing with occasional help from hunting.