Arribes del Duero

Arribes del Duero is a large natural area of river canyon landscape, ca. 106,105 hectares, located in the west of Salamanca and Zamora, near the border with Portugal. In the surroundings of Ledesma, the region appears as one of the gateways to the Salamanca sector of the Arribes, where the Duero River and its tributaries have carved valleys very embedded on the granitic peneplain. The most characteristic features are the cliffs and steep slopes, the natural viewpoints over the riverbed, the strong sensation of broken relief and the contrast between the flat surface of the plateau and the river. The territory also stands out for its biological richness, with a varied fauna and flora associated with this canyon and riverbank environment, and a landscape of great visual and geological value. Its interest is not only scenic: Arribes del Duero is protected as a natural park and is part of the Natura 2000 Network, as well as being a reference area for the conservation of ecosystems, landscape values and compatible traditional uses. In the cartography and tourist information about the region, it is usually presented as one of the most unique landscapes in the west of Castilla y León.