Viewpoint of the Riaza Gorges

The Mirador de las Hoces del Riaza is a scenic observation point located in Maderuelo, in the province of Segovia, within the environment of the Natural Park of the Riaza River Sickles. From this enclave, the fluvial canyon carved by the Riaza River dominates, one of the great geological features of the protected area, with limestone cliffs and a strong presence of birds of prey. The main interest of the viewpoint is in the reading of the landscape: the gorges, the river and the mosaic of slopes and meadows that make up this sector of northeastern Segovia, very close to Burgos. The area is known for the abundance of griffon vultures and for being an outstanding refuge for rock fauna, which makes the visit a good opportunity to observe the link between relief, vegetation and birdlife. Its relevance is not only panoramic, but also environmental, because it is part of an area declared a Natural Park for its natural, scenic and wildlife value. In the local guides it appears as a nature resource linked to Maderuelo and the views over the gorges, useful to understand why this section of the Riaza is protected and why it attracts hikers and visitors interested in wildlife observation.