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Arribes del Duero Natural Park

The final section of the Senda del Duero Nature Trail traverses the border between Portugal and Spain, situated to the west of the provinces of Zamora and Salamanca. This stretch encompasses the Arribes del Duero Natural Park, a distinctive natural area safeguarded by a multitude of conservation bodies since the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León designated it as such in 2022.

The Arribes del Duero Natural Park is afforded triple protection, being included within the Iberian Plateau Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, the European Union's Natura 2000 Network, and designated as a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The term Arribes is derived from the Leonese language and refers to the gorges that have been carved out by the river. As it encounters granitic materials, the river is unable to continue its descent unless it is confined between the rocks, resulting in the formation of spectacular canyons that can be admired from the numerous viewpoints that have been constructed on both sides of the Duero.

Some of the most emblematic birds of the Iberian Peninsula nest on these walls, such as the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and the black stork (Ciconia nigra); the latter is in danger of extinction in Spain.

Furthermore, the Arribes del Duero is the point at which large rivers originating from the northern plateau, such as the Esla and the Tormes, flow into the area. This makes it an optimal location for hydroelectric exploitation, with up to six reservoirs and 11 power stations situated both within and outside the Natural Park. It should be noted that this does not include the Portuguese installations situated on the opposite bank of the Duero. The specific topography of the park, resulting from the Duero river and its tributaries, gives rise to a distinctive microclimate throughout the region. This is characterised by higher summer temperatures than those observed across the Castilian-Leonese plateau, and milder winter temperatures, with fewer days of frost. The prevailing climatic conditions have facilitated the cultivation of typical Mediterranean species and the production of a distinctive grape with its own designated origin.

A diverse array of flora flourishes among the peaks and pastures of the region, with the gall oak (Quercus faginea) serving as a dominant species within the forests. This oak species coexists with cork oaks (Quercus suber), holm oaks (Quercus ilex), hackberry trees (Celtis australis), and Mediterranean scrub. The area is home to a variety of flora and fauna, with small packs of wolves (Canis lupus signatus) among the more notable inhabitants. The most characteristic fauna is associated with the rocky areas and cliffs near the river. Up to 14 species of bats, otters (Lutra lutra), badgers (Meles meles) and newts (Lissotriton boscai) find shelter here, while the crystal-clear waters are home to such rare species as the sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) and the Duero bogue (Pseudochondrostoma duriense).

Today, the inhabitants of the villages situated within and in the vicinity of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park derive their livelihoods from the burgeoning field of ecological tourism. The park's intrinsic appeal has facilitated the growth of the regional economy, which has been adversely affected by demographic decline over recent centuries. The settlement of the population in many of the villages of the Arribes del Duero can be attributed to several factors, including the activities of hiking, bird watching, sport fishing, sailing and the gastronomic culture of the region.