How to visit and hike through the Hoces del Río Riaza (Segovia)

El Hoces del Río Riaza Natural Park is one of Natural spaces most splendid of the Segovia province.

It is located in the northeastern corner of the province, very close to the borders with Burgos and Soria, and also very close to the E-5 highway, which we all know as NI, so it is easily accessible.

This parque natural protects a 12-kilometer stretch of the middle course of the Riaza River and its main attraction is the set of sickles and gorges formed over time by water erosion.

Also, of course, it is important flora and fauna of the area, as well as some historical surprises that are discovered at the bottom of the ravines, on the banks of the Riaza.

And we must not forget the surrounding attractions, already outside the limits of the natural park, but which we can visit, at least some, on our excursion to the sickles.

In that sense, it is very common to combine a walk through the Scyces of the Riaza River with the visit to Maderuelo, a small town full of charm that is located next to the river a very short distance from the park.

Where to access the Hoces del Río Riaza Natural Park

Keep in mind that there are several entrances to the park and that we must choose the one that best suits us according to the type of excursion we want to do or the area we want to visit.

For example, if we want to go to the entries found in Valdevacas de Montejo y Montejo de la Vega de la Serrezuela, it is advisable to go through Fuentemizarra.

Here you have to stop at the Romanesque church of Our Lady of the Ejido, which has interesting capitals.

The path continues along the hermitage of Our Lady of Hornuez, solitary in the middle of a splendid juniper forest; Here we will see some of the largest sessile junipers in Spain.

Montejo de la Veja de la Serrezuela maintains much of its historical essence, with remains of the wall and castle, in addition to the underground cellars and the old bridge over the Riaza River.

On our recent excursion to Hoces del Río Riaza natural park We decided to combine it with a visit to Maderuelo, a very interesting town that also provides a good base for exploring the area as it has several restaurants and accommodations.

Maderuelo It is located on a hill that dominates the course of the Ríaza.

For a few decades the river has been dammed and what we see from Maderuelo is the tail of the Linares del Arroyo reservoir. To get an idea, it should be said that the part of the river we want to visit is located downstream of the reservoir dam.

From Maderuelo, better access for hiking in the park is for he Canteras parking lot, a different entry than the two mentioned above.

To get to this place you have to follow the SG-945 highway, from Maderuelo towards Aranda de Duero, and take a detour signposted as Foot of Prey.

This detour is the road that leads to the dam, but since that place has restricted access, you have to leave the car in that parking lot and start the walk from there.

This descent is spectacular as it offers fabulous views of the gorges. It is like an open balcony at the bottom of the gorge.

This is the hiking route through the Hoces del Riaza River

Upon reaching the river, the hiking route takes us along a perfectly conditioned path that runs through the bottom of the sickle.

We can begin to distinguish the different types of vegetation we pass by.

On the one hand we will see different stretches of riparian forest next to the water, with poplars, poplars and elm trees. Elsewhere we find oaks, junipers y gall oaks.

On the other hand, the river is the habitat of aquatic birds such as mallards, loons y herons. The roe deer They also approach the river in search of places to drink.

A curiosity about this route is that at one point you pass under the immense structure of a viaduct, now in disuse.

This is one of the areas where we will see the most spectacular cliffs, rock walls cut into peaks that are very attractive.

These limestone cliffs provide a perfect shelter for all types of rock birds and there are griffon vultures, kestrels, Egyptian vultures, royal eagles y azores.

These sickles are so important for birds that a vulture shelter which was the first project for the custody of the territory of Spain, a pioneering experience that was a great success.

Romanesque church San Martín del Casuar

In a moment we will take a small detour to the right to discover the great surprise of this walk, the Romanesque church of San Martín del Casuar.

From the 11th century and was part of the town of Covasuar, which was donated by Fernan Gonzalez al monastery of San Pedro de Arlanza.

The ruins of the Romanesque church, surrounded by willows and wild rose bushes next to the river, have the same color as the cliffs of the Sickles.

The enclave, where vultures and centuries fly over, is delicious.

As we have already said, we We arrived at this church from the Las Canteras parking lot., but we will also find it if we start the walk at any of the other two entrances.

In fact, several of the trails that run through the park converge here.

In any case, we recommend that you make the effort to reach this church since it is the historical counterpoint to a route that is eminently natural, and we confirm that it is worth it.

From here we begin the way back since, unless it is organized in some way with two groups and we exchange keys, we will always have to return to the entry point in search of the car.

How to obtain authorization to visit the Hoces Río Riaza park

A very important fact to keep in mind when organizing this excursion is that, to protect baby vultures that nest in sickles, Access to the Hoces Río Riaza park is limited between January 1 and July 31.

To enter between those dates you have to request a free authorization at the Park House (At Montejo de la Vega de la Serrezuela), at 921 532 459 or at cp.roaza@patrimonionatural.org .

In the Park House It can be obtained detailed information on all hiking routes that can be done within the park, as well as in other nearby areas.

Otherwise, on this excursion you must follow the logical advice of this type of activity and be well equipped with appropriate footwear, sunscreen, some food and, above all, plenty of water.

It would also be advisable to avoid months of extreme weather.

In spring we will witness the splendor of the vegetation that emerges on the banks of the Riaza, which in autumn acquire their characteristic colors.

Map: how to get to the Hoces del Río Riaza Natural Park

La main access route to the Hoces del Río Riaza Natural Park It is the E-5 or NI highway that crosses the northeast of the province of Segovia and provides different access points to our destination.

You have to take exit 116 if you come from Madrid and 154 if you come from Burgos, and you can also enter the area through Ayllón if you come from Barcelona or Zaragoza.