Hoces del Duraton

The Duraton has cut a deep, tightly meandering canyon into the limestone plateau north of Segovia, and part of it is backed up by a reservoir, which is why the water sits flat and green between vertical walls; the river runs for 27 kilometres in the canyon, and the area became a natural park in 1989. The griffon vulture colony here, 575 breeding pairs in the 2003 count, is regarded as one of the largest in Europe, and the birds circle below the level of the viewpoints, which is an unusual angle to watch them from. The hermitage of San Frutos stands on a spur inside a meander, a twelfth-century Romanesque priory, partly ruined, built over a seventh-century Visigothic foundation on a rock platform with the river on three sides. Kayaking is possible but capped by permit, and the stretch nearest the colony closes during nesting.

What you'll find

• Ermita de San Frutos - a partly ruined Romanesque priory on a rock spur inside a river meander.
• The vulture colony - griffon vultures circling below the clifftop viewpoints.
• The meanders - the river doubling back on itself between vertical walls.
• Kayaking the reservoir - flat water between the cliffs, by permit only.

When to go

April to June has the most bird activity and the greenest plateau; September and October are quieter with lower water. Nesting closes the stretch nearest the colony through the first half of the year, so check before planning a paddle. Kayak permits are capped daily and go quickly for summer weekends. Mornings give the best light in the canyon.

Things to know

The viewpoints are short walks from car parks, so this is a series of stops rather than a hike. Access to San Frutos is by a rough track with a small car park at the end. Kayak permits sell out and the closure period catches people out. In dry summers the reservoir drops and leaves muddy banks below the cliffs.

Nearby

Sepulveda's old town stands above the gorge; Segovia and its aqueduct are an hour south.

Key facts