Stage 9: Langa de Duero - Aranda de Duero

The Trail runs through the River Duero Valley, where the numerous market gardens that have brought fame to the town of Langa coexist with cereal, safflower and sunflower farms, poplar groves and orchards. Nearby slopes have been colonised by Spanish juniper (Juniperus thurifera).

The road comes to a junction and turns right to continue through the River Duero flood plains. The winding green coppices along the banks spread down the slopes to the path leading to several interesting natural rock formations known locally as "chimeneas de hadas”. These strange geological formations were moulded by water. Usually, as the water rushes down the slopes it cuts gullies. Water will erode any rock that it cannot move, sculpting it into unique, fanciful shapes.

Further on, there are mixed forests of English poplar (Populus nigra) and juniper, an interesting combination that is typical of the Burgalese Duero. Active and abandoned agricultural farms alternate in a landscape of roses (Rosa sp.), sage (Salvia sp.), Spanish juniper and poplar.

The route continues to a conveniently signposted junction, where it takes a narrow path that runs parallel to the River Duero. One can feel the quiet and calm of water running through the reeds (Phragmites australis), rushes and small groves, accompanied by the chirping of Chickadees (Parus major), Blue Tits (Parus caeruleus), Eurasian Blackbirds (Turdus merula) and European Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis). A nearby recreational area provides the opportunity to enjoy this environment.

Riparian forest gives way to repopulation maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), and stone pine (Pinus pinea) when the route reaches the hamlet of El Quemado on the flood plain. As the route approaches a meander, one can see the town of Zuzones perched above the river.

Further on, the path returns to the main road, known as Camino del Quemado, and continues northwest. Near a diversion dam, the route turns onto a path through stone pines, and continues along the River Duero. One can rest at La Vid Rest Area.

The path returns to the stone wall surrounding the Monastery of Santa María de La Vid, and skirts around it to reach the gate of the monastery and the town of La Vid. The town has a recreational area and a fountain with drinking water. Leaving the town behind, the route takes an underpass on the N-122 road from Valladolid to Soria, and traverses through a meadow before venturing back into a poplar-juniper riparian forest.

The road winds up to Guma, a small town perched atop a hill above the Duero. From the viewpoint, one can see a weir that diverts part of the flow to the Guma Canal used for irrigating the surrounding lands.

At the edge of Guma, the route crosses over the canal and heads southwest through fields of grain, corn and vineyards irrigated with water from the canal. Special attention should be paid to the signs, as the route turns left and right many times.

The path leads back to the River Duero through cornfields. A narrow path appears along the lush riparian forest with a high ecological value. The canopy, which exceeds 20 metres, consists of poplars, silver poplars (Populus alba), willows (Salix sp.), elms (Ulmus sp.), ashes (Fraxinus sp.) and alders (Alnus glutinosa). There is also a rich groundcover of cattails, reeds, rushes and gladioli. A large variety of bird species take refuge in this forest, including Song Thrushes (Turdus philomelos) Common Chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita), Herons (Ardea cinerea), Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and Common Coots (Fulica atra).

The path arrives at Vadocondes Recreational Area, next to Puenteseco Bridge, with tables where one can rest. The route traverses through Vadocondes along its main street to a bridge on the River Duero. The history of the town, declared a Historical Site in 2008, is inextricably bound up with the river.

Immediately after crossing the bridge, the route turns left along the right bank of the river. It passes under a beautiful iron bridge over the abandoned Valladolid-Ariza railroad. The route takes the left fork at the first junction, and the right fork at the next. The landscape alternates between sunflowers, potatoes and cereals, which grow bountiful in the rich soils of the floodplain.

Following the signs on the Trail, the route reaches La Calabaza Forest on the outskirts of Aranda de Duero; a dense pine-oak Mediterranean forest where the inhabitants of Aranda practice sports and take a stroll.

The route continues west towards the endpoint, skirting around La Calabaza Forest and Guma Canal. However, it passes first next to the Shrine of San Isidro, where a paved road begins.

Here, forests give way to farmlands. The route turns onto the second path that emerges on the left, in the direction of the River Duero.

Once near the river, where the river has carved a large meander, the road turns right, through farms dotted with poplars. However, the landscape changes as the route advances, with market gardens, holiday estates and swimming pools dominating the area. At a fork, the route takes the path to the left surrounded by poplars.

The wide and easy path to Navafrías or Colonia provides quick access to Aranda de Duero via Conchuela Bridge. This Stage ends with a stroll along La Isla Park, situated on the banks of the River Duero.