Puntos de Interés
Hydrography
Fuente del Duero (Source)
The source of the river Duero is situated on the southern slopes of the Sierra de Urbión, at an altitude of 2,140 metres below the summit of the Muela de Urbión. This site, situated just a few metres from the Urbión peak, is known as "Fuente del Duero" and is in the town of Duruelo de la Sierra, in Soria province.
The source of the Duero is characterised by a high mountain landscape where the typical highland pastures and steep rocky escarpments predominate. The river crosses a difference in height of almost 1,000 m in just 10 km. Consequently, the river's waters flow with considerable force and at a relatively fast pace through a vast wooded area comprising mainly of European red pine (Pinus sylvestris) until they reach the Cuerda del Pozo reservoir.
Up to this point in its course, the Duero River has been a representative example of a high mountain river. The clear waters and stony beds, strewn with large boulders and pebbles, provide ideal conditions for the formation of rapids and backwaters. This enables the continued existence of some species, such as the brown trout (Salmo trutta).
As this river, which has a rain-snow hydrological regime, flows downstream, it follows a sinuous course over sandstones and conglomerates. It gradually grows due to the contribution of numerous streams that form between the escarpments of the Sierra de Urbión. Furthermore, the river Triguera joins the Alto Duero River Reserve downstream from Duruelo de la Sierra.
The Senda del Duero Nature Trail, which originates in the Sierra de Urbión and ends at the Portuguese border in Vega Terrón, spans over 750 km and traverses diverse landscapes. With a total length of nearly 900 km, it is one of the longest trails in Spain.