River Tour through the Arribes del Duero Natural Park

Arribes del Duero Cruise

The Arribes del Duero Natural Park has the advantage of being able to be observed from different vantage points. From above, through its impressive viewpoints, on wheels travelling along its paths, or from the water, sailing in a boat or catamaran.

Whichever way you choose, you will be able to appreciate the beauty of its landscapes in their entirety.

In previous posts, we have told you about the viewpoint routes, the waterfall route and the motorbike routes, for example. But we had not yet gone into detail about the river walk, a unique and spectacular alternative for appreciating the Arribes Natural Park from another perspective.

Firstly, we must emphasise that the Arribes del Duero is located in the province of Salamanca and the region of Zamora in Spain, and extends into the neighbouring country of Portugal. The natural border formed by the River Duero with these areas is a distinctive feature of the region.

The great natural beauty of this area has earned it the title of protected area and inclusion in UNESCO's global network.

When we consider its great scenic value, the contrast between its deep canyons and impressive cliffs and the peneplain covered with Mediterranean vegetation, where olive groves, vineyards and various fruit trees can be seen, is particularly striking.

In addition, the Arribes del Duero Park is home to a rich biodiversity, with a variety of animal and plant species. Among the animals that inhabit the area are the griffon vulture, the golden eagle, the Iberian lynx and the European otter, among others.

Now that we have given a brief overview of the characteristics of this protected area, it is time to talk about today's topic: the river walk through the Arribes del Duero. Can you think of a better way to appreciate the wonders of this place than by sailing along the waters of the River Duero?

To encourage you to enjoy this experience, in this post we are going to tell you everything you need to know about it.

Departure points:

This activity can be done any day of the year, as long as the weather forecast is favourable.

The boats have different departure points, such as Miranda do Douro in Portugal or Spanish towns such as Aldeadávila de la Ribera and Fermoselle. All of them offer stunning views and a great cultural and gastronomic experience. You can try traditional local dishes and learn about the history of these lands.

We recommend that, even if you have a reservation, you arrive at the pier 10 to 15 minutes early.

Characteristics of the vessels:

The Arribes catamaran is an exciting and popular tourist attraction that allows visitors to explore the stunning natural beauty of the Arribes del Duero region, which stretches along the border between Spain and Portugal. The best-known boat is the Corazón de los Arribes catamaran, which has a large covered area with enough seating to accommodate passengers and an outdoor terrace area for tourists who want to be even closer to nature.

It is designed with everything necessary to guarantee a pleasant and unique experience for tourists. It has an air conditioning system to create a comfortable environment and is painted in shades of green to blend in with the surroundings.

In addition, one of its main features is its engine, which, as well as being essential for its operation, has a very curious feature, as it is a soundproof engine. Thanks to this device, the guide's informative commentary will not be interrupted.

Of course, in addition to the aforementioned features, the interior is equipped with all the necessary safety equipment, such as self-inflating lifeboats, life jackets and anti-seasickness stabilisers.

Duration of cruises

The duration of these cruises varies depending on the departure point, the places visited and the activities included.

There are trips lasting from one to three hours, and even some that allow you to enjoy the experience for most of the day, with local food and wine tasting included.

Itinerary

A river cruise through this region will immerse you in landscapes of great beauty and drama. As you sail along the calm waters of the River Douro, you will find yourself surrounded by high granite cliffs and lush vegetation covering the rocks.

The winding River Duero, with its clean, crystal-clear waters, offers the opportunity to observe aquatic life and enjoy the tranquillity of the natural environment.

During the cruise, keep your eyes peeled and don't miss the exclusive panoramic views of the canyons, cliffs, flora and fauna typical of the Arribes del Duero.

And if you have the opportunity, book a river trip that includes a guide who will tell you all about your surroundings: the geology, fauna and history of the region, so that you can learn about everything you see in detail.

To ensure you don't miss any interesting facts, the catamaran is equipped with a speaker, a microphone for listening to the sounds of wildlife and infrared cameras so you don't miss a single detail of the tour.

What's more, if you want to take advantage of the route to visit some of the surrounding villages, you can choose from a selection of cruises that make short stops at the picturesque villages along the River Duero. This is definitely a great option, as it allows you to discover villages with a special charm and offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in their culture and sample their local cuisine.

Routes

When it comes to sailing the waters of the River Duero, you can choose between three different routes depending on your starting point, the time you have available, the activities you want to do and your preferred mode of transport.

From Fermoselle

This cruise departs from and returns to Fermoselle.

Specifically, the boat is moored at the Bemposta pier. In this case, we will sail the waters of the River Duero aboard a small boat with a capacity of no more than 30 passengers. This gives us the opportunity to observe the protected environment of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park more closely.

The port of embarkation gives the boat its name, so the Bemposta boat allows you to enjoy approximately two and a half hours of unique landscapes and the flight of different birds native to the area.

During the trip, you will sail through international waters, visiting different places, such as Fermoselle, Bemposta (Portugal) and Sedim, until you reach the most sought-after spot, Picón del Diablo, where one of the deepest canyons in the Duero is located.

To allow you to enjoy the landscape in its entirety, the boat's engine is usually turned off for a few minutes so that passengers can immerse themselves in the peace of nature and listen to the chirping of griffon vultures, golden eagles and Egyptian vultures, some of the birds characteristic of the Arribes del Duero.

From Miranda do Douro

Taking our neighbouring country as its starting point, the Navío-Aula sets sail. At the International Biological Station in the Portuguese town of Miranda Do Douro, there is another option for exploring the Arribes Park, this time with a greater capacity of 120 passengers.

This boat allows you to enjoy a more complete experience, which includes a Port wine tasting and an interactive presentation of the area's wildlife as a final activity on the trip.

The duration varies between one and three hours, depending on the activities included.

As mentioned above, this is a larger boat, so it has two spacious terraces and a glass-enclosed, air-conditioned deck so that passengers can enjoy the trip in comfort regardless of the outside temperature.

Some of the places you can visit during the boat trip are: the Lichens cliff, the habitat of the black stork and the golden eagle, and if you decide to do it in the rainy season, the impressive Peña del Oso and the Winter Waterfall.

Although these types of trips are usually geared towards groups of hikers who have prepared in advance, they are also available for individuals.

However, it is advisable to buy tickets in advance, especially during busy periods, either online through the website or directly at the EBI pier.

A great advantage of choosing this boat to sail along the river walk on the waters of the Duero is that, in addition to enjoying the views and nature of the park, before or after the trip you can visit the pier centre and take part in some of the activities on offer.

Being located in such a privileged location on the border between Spain and Portugal, it is very well equipped with ample parking areas, toilets, a souvenir shop and interactive wildlife activity areas for all ages. Most importantly, the entire site is equipped to welcome senior citizens and people with reduced mobility, making it accessible for everyone to enjoy this experience to the full.

From Vilvestre

If you choose this boat, you will sail downstream for an average of two hours to Mieza, travelling through the waters that separate two Natural Parks: the Douro and the Arribes del Duero.

The journey seems even shorter as you become absorbed in contemplating the ecosystem that surrounds you.

It is impressive to see nature in its purest form through the extensive olive groves, vineyards and orange trees cultivated by man, the hackberry reserves, one of the largest reserves in Europe, or to witness the Pinheiro Solitario up close. There is so much beauty to behold that passengers are left speechless and not knowing where to look so as not to miss a single detail.

When the boat reaches the Aldeadávila dam, look up at the sky and watch a large flock of griffon vultures flying overhead.

With a little luck, they will be accompanied by black storks, Bonelli's eagles or Egyptian vultures that nest in these areas.

On this river walk, you will have the opportunity to pass under one of the most spectacular viewpoints, the Mirador del Picón de Felipe and the Mirador del Fraile, where the route ends. And while you're there, I recommend that you also visit these and other viewpoints to enjoy a panoramic view of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park from above.

Now that you know some of the different options for exploring the Arribes Natural Park from the water, it's your turn to decide: which boat would you like to take to sail the waters of the Duero?

An experience for all ages that will allow you to enjoy the protected ecosystem of Los Arribes del Duero with all your senses.

Are you in?

For more information, please contact the Posada Doña Urraca.