The hiking trails in and around Burgomillodo vary considerably in length and destination. The Senda de la Vega leads to the recreational area of Carrascal del Río; nearby, there is also the Camino de acceso a San Frutos. Gorges, the Embalse de Burgomillodo and a canoe route complete the picture. If you are looking for accommodation for your stay, these different highlights can help with your planning.
Hiking: a route or a short walk
The Senda de la Vega is a linear hiking trail between the bridge at Burgomillodo and the recreational area of Carrascal del Río. It is 4.5 kilometres each way and is rated easy. The distance each way is important for planning: anyone who walks the entire trail there and back will cover 9 kilometres in total. The trail lies outside the boundaries of the natural park and is therefore not subject to park restrictions.
A shorter option nearby is the Camino de acceso a San Frutos. This interpretive footpath starts at the San Frutos car park, is 925 metres each way and is rated easy. The two trails therefore offer different time and distance scales: a linear hike between two places and a shorter walk that starts at San Frutos.
San Frutos and local history
Nearby Burgomillodo, the Priorato de San Frutos, now known as the Ermita de San Frutos, preserves the remains of an old monastic complex. It is located on a bend in the Río Duratón. A viewpoint along the Camino de acceso a San Frutos offers a view of the Embalse de Burgomillodo. The reservoir forms one boundary of the Parque Natural Hoces del Río Duratón.
There are archaeological traces in Burgomillodo itself, too: remains of a Romanised indigenous settlement and a Roman villa were discovered at Los Muladares. The site is not signposted. This is a different kind of historical evidence from the visible landscape and the surviving monastic remains at San Frutos.
Gorge landscape and nature
The Parque Natural Hoces del Río Duratón extends along the gorges formed by the Río Duratón, from Sepúlveda to the Embalse de Burgomillodo. In places, the gorge is more than 100 metres deep. The high rock faces are home to almost 250 breeding pairs of griffon vultures, as well as numerous Egyptian vultures, golden eagles and peregrine falcons. The approximate number of breeding pairs and the variety of species mentioned convey different aspects of this rocky habitat, without implying that individual birds will be spotted.
Another local landmark is Monte El Enebral in Burgomillodo. Many junipers and savin junipers grow there, including some that are several hundred years old. The Presa del embalse de Burgomillodo also stands on the Río Duratón: a concrete gravity dam. Natural rock formations, ancient trees and a structure on the river therefore come together in the same landscape.
Burgomillodo is also a stop of about 30 minutes on the geological tourism route to aeolian sand deposits. Aeolian refers to deposits transported by wind. This geological perspective adds another explanation of the local landforms to the river and gorge landscape.
Canoeing on the reservoir
Situral – Rutas en canoa offers a canoe route in the Parque Natural de las Hoces del Río Duratón on the Embalse de Burgomillodo. It runs downstream between the bridge at Villaseca and the dam. The route on the water is approximately 8–9 kilometres long and is covered at a leisurely pace, with the necessary breaks.
When planning your time, allow for the difference between the paddle itself and the full itinerary: the canoe trip takes about three hours; including arrival at the facilities and the return there, the total time is usually estimated at just under four hours. As route details may change, check the arrangements in advance if you are planning the trip.
Discover more destinations: Sebúlcor, Tizneros, Pelayos del Arroyo, San Cristóbal De Segovia, Castroserna De Abajo, El Espinar, Cabezuela, Turégano
For the wider travel overview: Segovia.
