Route of the Viewpoints in the Arribes del Duero

Staying at Posada Doña Urraca, in the heart of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park, means enjoying every day one of the most impressive environments in Castilla y León. This protected landscape (home to birds such as the griffon vulture, the golden eagle or the black stork) combines nature, history and spectacular viewpoints that reveal the greatness of the Douro from multiple perspectives.

In addition to the comfort of our accommodation and the traditional flavor of our restaurant, the surroundings are undoubtedly one of the main reasons to visit Fermoselle. Trails, viewpoints, centuries-old olive groves and steep valleys make this area a perfect destination to enjoy as a couple, with friends or with family.

In this guide we invite you to explore the Viewpoints Route, a calm, accessible and magical experience. A selection of the must-see viewpoints to fall in love with the Arribes del Duero.

1. Falla Viewpoint: wide views towards Spain and Portugal

Located in a high area, this viewpoint offers one of the most complete panoramas of the Arribes. From here you can see:

• The Duero canyon
• The Portuguese village of Bemposta
• The traditional orchards full of fruit trees and olive trees

It has benches to rest, take iconic photos for social media or simply admire the landscape. In addition, archaeological remains revealing ancient settlements and the remains of a castle have been found in the area.

Author: A pie de campo

2. Peña del Cura: the olive grove trail

A must-stop if you visit Fermoselle. The route starts from the Camino de los Arrieros and leads to a natural balcony where the olive groves stretch all the way to the Douro River.

It is a route:

• Easy
• Well signposted
• Around 3 hours
• Full of holm oaks, granite rocks and photogenic corners

By making small detours you can reach the Viewpoint of the Douro Meander or the village of Pinilla de Fermoselle.

Author: Ruthirus

3. Castle Viewpoint: the historic balcony of Fermoselle

Undoubtedly the best choice, as from here you can enjoy a full panoramic view of the village and the course of the Douro River forming the natural border with Portugal.

This viewpoint is located in Fermoselle itself, specifically at the Castle of Doña Urraca. Access is via Antonio Regojo Street, better known as 'the Castle Slope', starting from the Main Square.

As it is the highest point of the town, it offers impressive views where you can see:

• The catamaran pier
• The olive and almond trees covering the slopes
• The silhouette of the Arribes canyon

Author: Senderismo proactivo

4. Terraplén Viewpoint: the essence of the terraces

To access it, you must find Terraplén Street, as indicated by its name: a narrow but charming street near Fermoselle's Main Square.

This viewpoint faces west, making it possible to appreciate the classic terraced farming system of the Arribes del Duero covered with crop fields and a great variety of trees. If you are not from the area, the terraces are a type of step-like platforms arranged along the slope.

The Terraces. Author: jjgonzalo.

5. Las Peñas Viewpoint: panoramic view of the historic quarter

It is one of the many viewpoints found in the historic center of Fermoselle. Accessible from Corral Concejo Street, this viewpoint allows you to enjoy a different view of Fermoselle.

You will see:

• The traditional houses in the lower area
• The ruins of the old Romanesque convent of San Francisco
• The Eras neighborhood and El Seco slope
• The Arribes del Duero and the Douro in the background

Convent of San Francisco. Author: Tiobabu

6. Torojón Viewpoint: the most photogenic in Fermoselle

This viewpoint is one of the most visited in Fermoselle. To reach it, you have two options:

• Along a comfortable path from Peñas Street (suitable for children or people with reduced mobility)
• If you are looking for the charm of the landscape, even if it means climbing steep stairs, choose a path that runs over a granite rock. Another difficulty is that the path is not signposted; all I can say is that the starting point is at the end of a street with a very peculiar name: 'El Guapo'. From here, you will need to ask the locals for directions.

Once you reach the viewpoint, every effort will be worth it as you contemplate a unique panoramic view. At a glance you can see:

• The urban center
• The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
• The clock tower
• The remains of the Castle of Doña Urraca
• And if you lift your gaze, the Duero canyon and Portugal

It has stone benches ideal for resting and enjoying a snack with an unparalleled view.

Hanging houses. Author: jjgonzalo.

7. Fraile Viewpoint: pure adrenaline in the Arribes

Located next to the Aldeadávila dam, the Fraile Viewpoint is one of the most striking viewpoints in the entire park.

It stands out for:

• Its platform 300 meters above the river
• Its grating floor, which adds excitement
• The views of the narrow Douro
• The presence of griffon vultures and golden eagles soaring over the area

Getting to it is not easy. The route includes stairs and stone ramps, but the reward is unforgettable. As you walk, vultures and eagles will accompany you, making every stop worthwhile.

And while you're in the area, I recommend extending your visit and strolling through the streets of Aldeadávila de la Ribera. Lose yourself in its narrow, cobbled streets with medieval names such as Cilla, Atalaya or Remoria. Visit historical monuments like the magical Palace of the Marquis of the Horseman, the Church of San Salvador and its numerous hermitages.

You can also head to Masueco and admire its hidden waterfalls or the famous Pozo de los Humos, with a 50-meter waterfall coming from the Uces River.

Author: Toniagusti.

8. Escaleras Viewpoint: route between mills and vineyards

Near Fermoselle, this route showcases ancient mills covered by vegetation and views towards Portugal.

The path is simple and linear until you reach a sign where you must choose between two routes:

• Ordial Path:
  Continue along the route you’re on. It is a trail with small difficulties due to the abundant vegetation, but in exchange it offers the privilege of seeing several historic mills that retain their charm.
• Penao Path: If you prefer a quieter route, this is the ideal option. Along the way, you will find several points of interest without needing detours. Among them are: the Penao Fountain, where you can enjoy impressive views of the village, and the Hermitage of Santa Cruz, a small sanctuary where many residents gather every year.

In the end, both routes lead to the same destination: the Escaleras Path, where you can admire firsthand the effort and dedication of the locals in caring for their vineyards.

Another iconic place, full of history, is the Casita de los Carabineros, from where smuggling from Portugal was once monitored. Right behind it is its viewpoint, an exceptional spot to admire the beauty of the surroundings. From there you can see the La Raya region and the Arribes del Duero Natural Park, the border territory with Portugal.

I recommend doing this route especially in spring, when the landscape fills with unique colors and aromas thanks to the blooming of lavenders, rockroses, junipers and other species that carpet the area.

Casita de los Carabineros. Author: jbizarricas.

9. Gran Meander of the Douro Viewpoint: nature in its purest form

This viewpoint belongs to GR-14, the Douro Trail. Therefore, you can reach it from several points simply by following the route. The viewpoint is located on the stretch between Fermoselle and Pinilla de Fermoselle.

Following this route is very easy, as it is well signposted with red and white GR-14 markers and a large panel of the Douro Trail.

The marked trail allows you to delve into the unique nature of the area and enjoy its charm. Along the way you will find:

• Hermitages
• Fountains
• Historic bridges
• A large presence of birds of prey

From the very first steps, you will be able to see the Douro River on your right and the vast fields full of holm oaks.

Once at the viewpoint, take your time and enjoy the views of the river in all its splendor. No matter how many viewpoints you visit, none will offer you such breathtaking views of the Douro drawing its enormous curve in the heart of nature.

Author: José Rey Martín

10. Requejo Bridge Viewpoint: an engineering jewel

Also known as Puente Pino due to its proximity to the village of Pino de Oro, it has a viewpoint on the roadside belonging to Aliste. At this point, the Douro no longer forms the border with Portugal, flowing exclusively through the province of Zamora.

Without a doubt, this viewpoint, inaugurated in 1914, is one of the most incredible engineering works in all of Spain. Its builder was inspired by none other than the famous Eiffel school to connect the two Zamoran regions: Sayago and Aliste.

At night, it becomes one of the best places to admire a clean, silent starry sky.

Pino Bridge. Author: Jesús Camarero.

11. Hullón Bench: the most Instagrammable corner

In Villadepera you will find one of the most famous benches in the area. The views of the calm Douro, next to this wooden bench, have starred in countless photos on social media.

To reach this viewpoint, you must take the path that connects Villadepera and Moralina.

Walking the 4 km route is a challenging task, so I recommend covering the first kilometers by car to a small parking area.

From the viewpoint, once the photos are taken, enjoy the privilege of watching the Douro in its calmest state thanks to the Castro dam.

Author: Verdenosa.

Enjoy the Arribes del Duero from Posada Doña Urraca

Exploring this Viewpoints Route is only part of everything you can experience in the Arribes.

At Posada Doña Urraca (Fermoselle) we offer you:

• Charming accommodation
• Local gastronomy
• Detailed information about routes and activities

We look forward to seeing you in the Arribes del Duero!