Stage 37: Aldeadávila de la Ribera - Mieza

After crossing the road, a well-kept track that runs through open terrain populated with yellow brooms (Cytisus scoparius) and grasslands, always enclosed by stone walls. Granite flatrock outcrops can also be seen frequently.

The Trail reaches a bird observatory with a washhouse, known as Fuente del Mendo. If one gazes up into the sky, one can see the majestic Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus), with their large wing span, gliding away into the vastness of the landscape.

Further on, the path ends in an olive grove. From here, the route continues along a steep, winding, and sometimes rocky track that leads down to the bottom of Arribes.

The descent down the west slope offers a sampling of the vegetation that thrives in this milder, peneplain microclimate, including all kinds of Mediterranean species such as olive trees on terraces, holm oaks (Quercus ilex), Scotch brooms, turpentine trees (Pistacia terebinthus), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), etc.

Hackberries (Celtis australis), a small tree that grows on rocky slopes, ravines, and steep, dry and sunny banks near waterways, also abound in this area.

The trail opens at times, revealing the steep valleys of Ropinal Brook (along which the road to the village of Aldeadávila runs) and the River Duero, into which it empties. The path eventually reaches the paved road at the Km 8 milestone, at the edge of the village of Salto de Aldeadávila.

The route runs down the main street of the village towards the south edge, where it continues down a flight of stairs that lead to a charming wooden bridge on Ropinal Creek.

From here, the peneplain on which Mieza sits is about 3.5 kilometres away. This stretch runs mostly on a narrow, upward path that climbs from 250 m to 650 m above the sea level. The climb is challenging, but the surrounding landscape and views are well worth the effort.

Vegetation grows abundantly on the north and west face, owing to the thermal conditions and greater humidity of the narrow canyon through which the River Duero runs. The rich variety is unheard of in other parts of the Duero Nature Trail through Arribes. Holm oaks, gall oaks (Quercus faginea), strawberry trees, turpentine trees, Montpellier maples (Acer monspessulanum), hackberries, willows (Salix sp.), brooms, white-leaved rockrose (Cistus albidus), wild asparagus (Asparagus acutifolius), common ivy (Hedera helix), etc., salute the opposite bank in Portugal, with its perfectly manicured, terraced olive groves and orchards. The peaceful, wide Duero looks on in the shadow of the impressive, vertical rock walls of Canada do Cozo in Portugal.

During the climb, one can take advantage of the clearings in the bends to view the landscape, take some pictures, rest and recover.

The last stretch climbs up the ravine carved out by the River Santa Marina, which the route crosses. Past the last viewpoint on the River Duero and the valley, the path widens and is less steep. One can now see private farmsteads enclosed by stone walls in which vineyards, orchards and holm oaks grow.

Further on, the path joins a track from where an offshoot road to the right leads to the spectacular La Code Viewpoint. The route continues to the left towards Mieza, the endpoint of this Stage, which lies less than 1 kilometre away.