El Arribes del Duero natural park It is a protected area located in the autonomous community of Castilla y León, located next to the border with Portugal. It is located between two provinces, Salamanca and Zamora. In the Portuguese part, this park was already protected in 1998 under the name of the International Douro Natural Park. In the Spanish zone it was protected in 2002.
The term arribes comes from the Latin ad ripa-ae, which means shore. This natural park is formed by the course of several rivers, such as the Agueda, Duero, Huebra, Tormes, Uces and Esla. This word refers to the rocky forms of the banks that are formed by the passage of water. It is a natural environment in which we have many things to do and see.
Routes in the Arribes del Duero
In this natural park there are lots of hiking trails that can be done, some quite short and some long. The vast majority run through the flatter areas, so they are not very difficult. Those that approach the arribes proper are those that have higher altitude in some points. Route GR-14 and GR 14 1 is the one that runs through the park from north to south for about 200 kilometers, linking towns, but some parts or other smaller routes can be done. Everything is signposted and we simply must respect the natural environment and the indications that exist.
El Sendero de las Merchanas is a route that runs for nine kilometers and what can be done with children. On this circular route you can see the forts and follow a masonry wall. The Salcelle-Aldeadavila route has 30 kilometers and is highly recommended for the beauty of the landscapes. There are several viewpoints near the river to contemplate the arrivals.
La Horsetail route It has a distance of 9 kilometers and in it you can see the Cola del Caballo Waterfall. You can also see the mouth of the Uces river in the Duero, so it is a small route but with points of interest. On the route from Pereña to the Mirador del a Ermita you travel six kilometers where you can see the canyons of the rivers and you also go to the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Castillo with views of the Duero and Mount Berrocal. The route from Mieza to Cerezal is 70 kilometers long and is designed for bicycles. These are just some of the many routes that can be followed in Arribes del Duero.
Villages in the park
Within the natural park there is no shortage charming little towns who have a quiet way of life. Some routes run between them but we can always visit them arriving by car.
Ahigal of the Oil It is a small town whose main activity is the production of oil. In this town there is a church with an old altarpiece from the XNUMXth century created by Felipe Cervera, who was a student of the famous Churriguera.
Aldeadávila de la Ribera It was called by Unamuno as the heart of the Arribes and that is how it is known. In this town you can visit the Ecotourism Museum Las Majadas Arribeñas where you can learn about the way of life of the goatherds. El Picón de Felipe is the viewpoint of the town from which you can see the river and the dam. This town also has its own artificial beach where you can go canoeing or get on cruise ships. In the park you can also see other towns such as Argañin with the church of San Bartolomé, Barruecopardo, Bermellar with the bridge over the Huebra river and the Celtic forts, Cabeza del Caballo or Fariza.
Viewpoints
There are many viewpoints located in this natural park, some located on the hiking trails and others that can be accessed by car. The Mirador El Torojón is located in the town of Fermoselle, with great views over the town and Arribes del Duero. This town also has the El Castillo viewpoint. The Mirador Las Fallas is located in the center of Villarino de los Aires, where there is also the Mirador del Duero, with a picnic area to rest. The Mirador El Salto is near Saucelle, to be able to see the Arribes and the dam. The Penedo Durao Viewpoint is in Freixo, in Portugal, and has the best views of the natural park.
River cruises
One of the experiences that is most recommended in Arribes del Duero is take a great river cruise to enjoy those canyons and privileged views of them. Cruises can be taken from various points. The Fermoselle cruise departs from Bemposta in Portugal. The Arribes del Duero environmental cruise departs from the Miranda do Douro Environmental Biological Station and is one of the most recommended. The Vilvestre river cruise is located in the La Barca area, a few kilometers from Vilvestre. These are the three points to be able to see these landscapes on a river cruise.