How to visit the Río Dulce and Hoz de Pelegrina natural park (Guadalajara)

If we want to make a weekend excursion awarded by the Guadalajara province in which we can combine a nature tour With a visit that includes a rich cultural heritage, one of the best options is to go to Sigüenza.

Sigüenza It was for some centuries one of the most important episcopal seats of the Peninsula.

Proof of this is its monumental complex, where the Cathedral and the Castle stand out, and where we will discover many corners full of charm.

The good thing is that just 10 kilometers away we can enter the Río Dulce Natural Park.

How to visit the Río Dulce natural park in Guadalajara

In fact, part of this park is located within the municipal area of ​​Sigüenza.

El sweet River has carved in part of its route a narrow canyon.

La combination of vegetation, the capricious shapes of the boulders and abundance of wildlife They make this park an ideal place for a good immersion in beautiful and pleasant nature.

In addition, many of the walks that can be done in the park do not present any difficulty and can be done even with small children.

The park can be accessed from different entrances.

One of the most frequented is the small town of pilgrim, which is located on the edge of the ravines carved by the sweet River.

You can also make a walking route from Sigüenza itself, but it may be too long for some.

How to get to the Hoz de Pelegrina

Therefore, for a quiet half-day excursion we can recommend the tour of the bottom of the Hoz de Pelegrina, which is the most attractive part from a geological and landscape point of view.

If you travel by road on the A-2, between Madrid and Zaragoza, you can reach the area by taking different detours, but if you want go to Pelegrina, we have to exit the highway at exit 118.

We then enter an area of ​​very attractive landscape and, in fact, this route of about 11 kilometers is considered panoramic road.

In a moment we will see a stone structure on the left side and there we have to make our first stop. There is parking on the right side.

Felix de la Fuente Viewpoint

This is the viewpoint dedicated to Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, the great naturalist who introduced several generations of Spaniards to Spanish fauna with his documentaries.

This viewpoint is dedicated to his memory since the Dulce River canyon It was one of his favorite settings to shoot his films.

Looking out from the viewpoint we can get a good idea of ​​the Pelegrina's Sickle which we are going to go through next and which is located just below this place.

Thus we see the canyon completely covered with vegetation in its lower part and several rocky cliffs.

The view is also a small lesson in geology as it allows you to see not only the effect of river erosion over the millennia, but also the forces that generated folds and faults in the rock strata.

If we continue a couple more kilometers, we will reach pilgrim, the beginning of tour of the bottom of the canyon carved by the Dulce River.

About 700 meters before arriving we will see a parking area on the left. It is the place to leave the vehicle.

What to see in Pelegrina, natural park of the Dulce River

Although the main reason for coming to pilgrim is to walk the sickle that opens at your feet, it is advisable to spend some time to visit the town.

Here we can visit the Church of the Holy Trinity, which was built in the 12th century at the impulse of the Bishop of Sigüenza. The building was heavily renovated in the 16th century.

The exterior is very modest. but inside the altarpiece, with very attractive and colorful details although partially damaged.

It is also curious headboard coffered ceiling.

If we cross the hamlet we reach the castle, whose remains dominate the complex, and which was the summer residence of the bishops of Sigüenza.

From here we see the end of the Sickles of the Dulce River before opening into a wide valley.

En pilgrim We can also visit the Dulce River Park Interpretation Center, which is normally open on weekends, holidays and long weekends.

Here we can learn about the flora, fauna, geology and history of the area, as well as the different routes we can do in the park.

What is the hiking route through the Hoz de Pelegrina like?

The most frequented is the one that runs along the bottom of the Pelegrina's Sickle, and in the streets we will see the indications that must be followed to start the tour.

Although the route is quite flat, at the beginning you have to descend about 70 meters of elevation to reach the bottom of the gorge.

The climb on the way back will be the only really notable one that we will find along the entire way.

Once At the bottom of the gorge we will continue along the river bank, which can be crossed at two points, by a bridge and by a series of flat stones.

The usual thing is to reach the latter to return along the opposite shore, and then return to the beginning shore over the bridge and return to Pelegrina.

Gollorio Waterfall in Hoz de Pelegrina

One option is to lengthen the route by going up the slope opposite Pelegrina to the Gollorio waterfall.

In this case the rise is already considerable depending on our physical condition or if we go with small children.

As you advance along the bottom of the sickle you see the abundant quantity and variety of trees that proliferate in the park, from willows, poplars and ashes near the river, to maples, oaks, oaks, junipers and junipers in higher areas.

We will also see plantations of fruit trees and elms. And bushes of rosemary, thyme, lavender and the so-called rock tea.

From time to time we will pass by stone structures that were mostly used as corrals to keep animals.

If we are lucky and look closely, we can see eagles, Egyptian vultures and vultures crossing the sky above us.

About 800 meters away we will see the bridge that crosses the river.

We can choose if we want to continue along this shore and return along the other, or take the circular route in the opposite direction.

It is probably better not to cross the river because then we follow the flow of most visitors, especially if we come on a weekend, and the walk will be more comfortable.

Peña del Buho in Hoz de Pelegrina

From time to time we will pass by the foot of vertical cliffs created by river erosion.

More or less over the bridge is the Owl Rock, one of the most spectacular rock formations.

Further ahead we will reach a small house, called the Felix's Hut since it was used by the team Rodriguez de la Fuente to store your equipment during filming.

The usual route along this side of the river ends at the point where we can cross it over a series of stones.

If sweet River If it came too large, this would be impossible and it would be necessary to return from the same side.

But, in general, all walkers cross it and return on the other side.

This stretch has some small ups and downs and offers some different features from the road on the other side.

It also allows you to have another perspective of the cliffs that make up the sickle.

We then arrive at the bridge that we can cross to take the way back to Pelegrina.

This route described is about four kilometers round trip. As already said, it does not offer any difficulty and can be traveled easily.

This small excursion allows us to enjoy nature without complications.

Most of the route is so comfortable that we can safely contemplate the rock formations, vegetation and fauna while we walk.

Map: how to get to the Río Dulce Natural Park

El Dulce River Natural Park It is located near Sigüenza, in the Guadalajara province, an hour and a half drive northeast of Madrid.