The Duero River, which since its source has been adopting multiple functions, reaches the west of the provinces of Zamora and Salamanca to become a sculptor and border with Portugal.
For thousands of years it has been carving the granitic rock to sculpt canyons that reach two hundred meters deep. Allied with the mild Atlantic climate, they form a generous ecosystem and overflowing biodiversity in terraced landscapes where olive trees, orange trees or vineyards grow, majestically flown over by griffon and black vultures, golden eagles or black storks.
Contemplating the river from the Mirador del Fraile and admiring all the splendor of the Natural Park from above is an experience impossible to forget. Projected in the air above the canyon, it offers a fabulous panoramic view of the Aldeadávila dam just below, the Portuguese shore and the comings and goings of hundreds of vultures that pass just a few meters from the platform.
Nearby, from the town of Masueco, a local road with magnificent views begins that leads to the bottom of the canyon, where it is possible to swim on the artificial beach or take a relaxing excursion aboard the boat that travels the river to the Aldeadávila dam.
Towards the north, the Natural Park holds many surprises in natural corners of extreme beauty with waterfalls such as the Pozo Airón, the Pinero waterfall or the Remolino, but the most spectacular is the Pozo de los Humos. The Uclés River on its way towards the Duero overcomes a free fall gradient of more than fifty meters, giving life to a fascinating natural spectacle.
Upstream you reach the Zamora town of Fermoselle, where the river, also canyoned, outlines a more open horizon that favors crops. Here again, nature and history go hand in hand, inspiring poets like Miguel de Unamuno or simply to invite you to walk the narrow streets of Fermoselle, visit a winery excavated in rock and finish by visiting the Arribes del Duero Natural Park House installed in the old convent of San Francisco.
