What to do in Zamora

Zamora holds two exceptional hydrological landscapes at its extremes. To the west, the Arribes del Duero form gorges of up to 800 m where the river marks the border with Portugal: griffon vultures nest on the limestone walls, kayaking traces the meanders in silence, and in spring the flowering almond trees above the gorges create a scene found nowhere else in Spain. To the north-east, Sanabria Lake is the largest natural glacial lake on the Iberian Peninsula, at 3.18 km² and 51 m deep. Kayaking and canoeing have a concession on the lake; hiking routes circle the perimeter in 18 km with views of the glacial cirque peaks. The La Carballeda district to the north has mountain biking on forest tracks through sessile oak and chestnut woodland, without the crowds of other cycling destinations. The Vía de la Plata crosses the eastern province between cereal fields and holm oaks.