River Eresma Nature Trail

In Altos de la Piedad, in a rest area opposite Segovia's hospital complex, is a stone cross and information panels on the route. After enjoying the views, the route crosses La Piedad Street at the pedestrian crossing and reaches a clearing used as a car park. The Trail skirts around the motocross circuit along a clearly marked gravel path that leads to the riverbank.

Leaving the circuit behind, a protection fence runs along a steep embankment to the right of the path that is increasingly populated by conifers, primarily Arizona cypresses (Cupressus arizonica) and pines (Pinus pinea). An opening in the fence allows the route to descend through the trees to Mirador del Último Pino, with interesting views of the ravine and the city of Segovia on one side, and on the other, the Cathedral and the Alcázar, constant companions throughout the journey.

Back on the Trail, the route arrives at Mirador del Alcázar, with sweeping views of Eresma and Clamores valleys, the historic city centre of Segovia and the area of Zamarramala and Las Lastrillas. The Sanctuary of Fuencisla and the monasteries of El Parral and San Vicente are located in Eresma Valley.

There are also other interesting views from the Mirador del Alcázar, including the districts of San Lorenzo and San Marcos, and the road leading to the church of Vera Cruz, a 13th century Romanesque temple declared National Monument in 1919, and whose origin is shrouded in mystery. The temple has what appears to be a circular (dodecagonal) layout. Although its construction was originally attributed to the Templars, it has subsequently been linked to the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

From Mirador del Alcázar, the route continues down a steep stone staircase. There is an alternative route via a gentler slope next to an area of reforestation pines. The whole area is protected under the Special Landscape Protection Programme for Clamores-Pinarillo Valley, which prohibits building. Before going down another flight of (less steep) masonry stairs leading to Eresma, an information panel explains the views that can be seen from this point.

There is another sign next to the San Lázaro Bridge, near the River Eresma, indicating the distances to various points of interest. There is a large rest area in the nearby shrine of Nuestra Señora de Fuencisla, and across the bridge, is the Arco de San Lázaro or Fuencisla, which served as a gate to the city.

Without crossing the river, the road runs along the left bank, where various bird species nest on the cliffs to the left, and a typical gallery forest can be found on the right: poplar (Populus sp.), brambles (Rubus ulmifolius) and a few willows (Salix sp.). The stone benches along the path are an invitation to sit and listen to the sounds of the river.

After crossing the River Eresma by a footbridge, extreme caution should be taken as this part of the route runs parallel to the road where vehicles pass. On arriving at La Pilarcita rest area, next to the namesake chapel, the route crosses the road, past an industrial estate, and turns onto a country road.

From here, the road passes through pastures and farmlands, with flocks of birds flying overhead every now and then, including starlings (Sturnus unicolor) or vultures (Gyps fulvus) and an occasional kite (Milvus milvus). It passes close to a livestock farm and a riding school, opposite which is the Zorroclin rest area. The agricultural landscape is interrupted by a small pine stand and several poplar groves that grow in places close to the river Eresma or on a rocky outcrop.

The Nature Trail continues again from this point, running for a kilometer parallel to the Valle del Eresma Greenway Nature Trail (which uses the old Medina del Campo-Segovia railway platform . Some of its milestones can still be seen), and crossing the bridge over Valdelobones Brook.

Poplars will be a constant companion as the Trail heads towards the river. A cliff to the right is home to crows (Corvus corax). Near the village of Hontanares de Eresma, the route crosses the SG-V-3122 at a pedestrian crossing near a horseshoeing stand. The village can be easily accessed from here.

The Hontanares Park rest area is located across the road. Further on, the route skirts around a sports centre and continues through fields of crops to the Hontanares station rest area. Here ends the Trail, at the information panel on the old railway line. From here, the Valle del Eresma Greenway Nature Trail can be reached once again. This trail continues along the old railway until Nava de la Asunción.

Although the Nature Trail ends at the rest area, just a few metres away are the remains of the old railway station, of which only the railway stop still stands, and hidden in the vegetation is the changeover point.