Parque Natural de las Hoces del Río Duratón

The essentials of Parque Natural de las Hoces del Río Duratón

  • • Griffon vulture colony of over 300 pairs, one of the largest on the Iberian Peninsula
  • • Kayaking through Cretaceous limestone cliffs reaching over 100 metres in height
  • • Otters and brown trout along willow and ash riverside woodland on the valley floor
  • • Sepúlveda: historic ensemble with five Romanesque churches and 11th-century walls
  • • Beginner-friendly kayak descent from Burgomillodo with pick-up service included
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Description

The Hoces del Río Duratón Natural Park protects one of the deepest river canyons on the Castilian plateau. The Duratón river, a tributary of the Duero, has cut through Cretaceous limestone over millions of years to form a gorge reaching over 100 metres in depth, with near-vertical walls that host a griffon vulture colony of more than 300 pairs. The park covers around 5,037 hectares in the province of Segovia, between the municipalities of Sepúlveda and Burgomillodo, and was declared a natural park in 1985.

Kayaking or canoeing through the gorge is the activity that best conveys the scale of the canyon. From the water, with vulture columns circling against the skyline above, the sense of being inside an active geological structure is far more immediate than from the cliff tops. The river runs gently along most of its course, making the descent accessible to people without prior paddling experience. The main launch and take-out points are at the Burgomillodo reservoir and the recreational area near the Puente de la Fuentona.

The park's wildlife is dominated by cliff-nesting birds. Beyond the griffon vulture colony — one of the most significant on the Iberian Peninsula — Egyptian vultures, peregrine falcons and various corvid species are regularly recorded. On the valley floor, beneath willows, ash and poplar, brown trout and otter inhabit the river. On the plateau above the gorge, holm oaks and junipers — the latter particularly abundant in the Sepúlveda area — give the landscape a drier, more austere character.

Sepúlveda, the nearest medieval town to the park, holds a declared status as a historic-artistic ensemble. Its 11th-century walls, five Romanesque churches and medieval street plan survive largely intact. The local gastronomy centres on roast suckling lamb cooked in wood-fired ovens, a practice with centuries of history in this part of Castile. Combining a day on the river with a visit to Sepúlveda gives the most complete picture of the territory.

Access is mainly from Sepúlveda, around 110 km north of Madrid via the N-110 or the AP-1 motorway. No regular public transport serves the launch points, so a car is the standard option. Local activity companies manage kayak and canoe hire with drop-off pick-up included. The best period for river descents runs from April to September. Autumn adds the bonus of riverside vegetation in gold and amber tones contrasting with the grey limestone walls.

Practical information

Everything you need to know for your visit to Parque Natural de las Hoces del Río Duratón

How to get there

How to get there

By car Public transport
From Madrid, take the AP-1 or N-I to Aranda de Duero then the N-110 to Sepúlveda (approx. 110 km). From Segovia city, about 60 km via the SG-205 road. No public transport serves the launch points. Activity companies collect participants from Sepúlveda.
Area Information
Natural park declared in 1985, one of the first in Castile and León, managed by the Junta de Castilla y León. Reference town: Sepúlveda (1,000 inhabitants), a declared historic-artistic ensemble. The area has a long tradition of active tourism centred on kayaking.
Geography
The Duratón river has carved a canyon up to 100 m deep through Cretaceous limestone on the Castilian plateau. The 5,037-hectare park lies in Segovia province, between Sepúlveda and Burgomillodo. The plateau above sits at around 1,000 m altitude.
Flora & Fauna
Griffon vulture (300+ pairs), Egyptian vulture, peregrine falcon, otter and brown trout. Ash, willow and poplar riverside woodland on the valley floor. Holm oak and juniper scrub on the plateau. Cliff flora includes saxifrages and rockroses.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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No. The descent through the Hoces del Duratón has a gentle current and requires no prior experience. Local companies provide a brief technique briefing before launch and accompany groups on the water. The activity is suitable for families with children from around 5-7 years of age, depending on the operator.
The standard route from the Burgomillodo reservoir takes between 2 and 3 hours on the water, plus transfer time to and from the launch point. Many companies include transport from Sepúlveda in the price, which simplifies logistics for groups arriving in a single vehicle.
Griffon vultures are resident year-round, but nesting activity peaks between March and June. Large groups soaring above the cliffs and perching on ledges are a common sight during that period. From the kayak, the angle towards the nest sites is very different from the cliff-top viewpoints and gives a better sense of the colony's scale.
Yes. Trails along the plateau offer views down into the gorge, including the viewpoint at the Romanesque Ermita de San Frutos — a 12th-century chapel set on a promontory above the canyon — and several bird-watching stations. The paths are suitable for moderately fit walkers with modest elevation changes.
Sepúlveda has five Romanesque churches, with San Salvador being the oldest in Castile with three apses. The 11th-century walls still encircle much of the old town. The local cuisine centres on roast suckling lamb cooked in traditional wood-fired ovens, a centuries-old tradition in this area. A weekly market is held in the main square on Fridays.