Stage 10: Aranda de Duero - Roa

The winding path, which also provides pedestrian access to Allende Duero Industrial Park, has many benches where one can rest. It is enclosed with railings to prevent people from falling into the river. They also serve as a wonderful viewpoint to contemplate the river, vegetation and fauna.

The Trail leaves behind the enclosed path near Aranda de Duero WWTP, where the waters are discharged back into the river after proper treatment.

EThe route continues along a straight and easy farm road parallel to the Duero. The factories and humanisation, typical of a city the size of Aranda de Duero, begin to fade gradually in the distance. Soon after, the landscape starts to be tinged with different colours in different seasons. The fields of grain glow green and gold, and vineyards add a touch of brown in the autumn.

At the junction with another farm road, the route turns left, then crosses the Valladolid-Ariza railroad, now in disuse, to continue towards Roa. Caution should be exercised owing to heavy traffic.

At the next interStage, the route turns right (west), then turns left at the next junction, heading towards Riaza Canal, a hydraulic work that supplies water for irrigation. This canal comes from Linares Reservoir. Although it was commissioned in 1945, it has been recently modernised to provide pressurised irrigation.

After crossing the canal, the route turns right, and then left to reach Castrillo de la Vega, where one can see numerous farm tools on threshing floors. A hill close to the town is riddled with cavities that are home to several wineries, a testimonial to the winemaking tradition of this land.

The route crosses Castrillo de la Vega downstream, and continues until the market gardens located in the western Stage of the town. As the route drifts away from the town, the landscape changes to fields of grain and orchards.

Gradually, the northwest bound route approaches again the river, passing next to poplars (Populus sp.) farmed for lumber, as well as native vegetation, including stone pine (Pinus pinea) and holm oak (Quercus ilex). Despite the numerous twists and turns and farm roads, the signs along the route clearly indicate which way to go.

Starting from Km 13, the Stage ventures through areas in which lagoons have been created in former aggregate sites. The different stages of colonisation provide a great opportunity to observe water-related plant and animal species. These small ponds are used as resting places by a rich community of mostly migratory birds.

The route runs amidst tree stands and farmlands, mostly rain-fed, until it merges for a short stretch with the BU-120 road from Aranda de Duero to Roa that ends at Berlangas de Roa. At the edge of the town, on the right, is a rest area with shade. Further, on the left and inside the town, is a fountain.

The road traverses through the entire village and, on the opposite edge, takes the first track to the right, next to a winery and its vineyards. The landscape is tinged in different shades and textures according to the season: grey and brown in winter, with bare vineyards and ground; dark and light greens in spring and summer; and, gold and red in autumn.

Leaving the vineyards behind, the route reaches the banks of the River Riaza, covered by dense vegetation. A barely visible stone bridge, covered with climbing plants, can be glimpsed.

Traversing through the natural vegetation of the flood plains and market gardens, which thrive in the cool climate and alluvial soil, the route reaches a road and a bridge on the River Duero, from where one can see the town of Roa, nestled high up the slope.

This short, steep climb offers the reward of reaching Roa, the endpoint of this Stage.