Arribes and Sierra de Francia 🇪🇸 - Vultures, Rain and La Alberca
Sven Walther
Arribes del Duero
Back to nature again: we head a little further west into the Arribes del Duero nature park.
The weather is still not entirely on our side, but right on cue at the end of the working day a rain-free window of two hours opens up. Perfect for a short walk to the gorge.
The gorge of the Arribes
The landscape is deeply impressive - and griffon vultures circle above us everywhere. Nature’s own cinema.
Griffon vultures as far as you can see
The village of Mieza feels completely deserted. Out of season there really seems to be almost nobody here: windows and doors are boarded up, waiting for spring.
Mieza waiting for spring
Reversing through the village
We drive towards the mountains in pouring rain. On arrival the car park turns out to be very steeply sloped - so we go back two villages. Partly in reverse through a narrow village, with a lorry coming the other way.
Not every street is meant for us
In Navarredonda de la Rinconada my current night shift creates the chance to hike during the day. And for that the weather finally shows some mercy: blue sky and sunshine.
Blue sky at last
We hike up to the Pico Cervero at 1,465 metres, in places against a still fairly strong wind - with a superb view.
Pico Cervero, 1,465 metres
La Alberca
With the weather still wet and gloomy we look for a pitch with an electricity hookup again. That takes us deeper into the Sierra de Francia, to La Alberca.
And where exactly have we ended up? A beautiful old village that is evidently a very popular holiday destination among Spaniards. The historic centre has a charm all of its own.
La Alberca
The historic centre
There are excellent walking routes all around, and we take on three of them. On Friday Saskia walks the big northern loop - in the rain. On Saturday we head south together, and this time the weather plays along.
Out in the Sierra de Francia