Burgomillodo: Hiking, Gorge and Reservoir

Burgomillodo is shaped by the landscape of the Río Duratón and activities on the Embalse de Burgomillodo. The trails and attractions offer different options for planning your trip: you can explore hiking trails, discover the gorge and its wildlife, or consider a canoe trip on the water. The history of the surrounding area and its local landscape features also form part of the town’s character.

Gorge landscape and wildlife

The Parque Natural Hoces del Río Duratón stretches along the gorges formed by the Río Duratón, from Sepúlveda to the Embalse de Burgomillodo. In some places, the gorge is more than 100 metres deep. Its high cliffs are home to almost 250 breeding pairs of griffon vultures, as well as numerous Egyptian vultures, golden eagles and peregrine falcons. The natural park thus combines striking changes in elevation with a diverse population of birds of prey.

Burgomillodo also has distinctive landscape features of its own: numerous junipers and savin junipers grow on Monte El Enebral, some of them several hundred years old. A geological tourism route to aeolian sand deposits includes a stop in Burgomillodo lasting approximately 30 minutes. Alongside the river landscape, trees and sand deposits are therefore also points of interest.

Hiking trails with different characteristics

The Senda de la Vega is a linear hiking trail between the bridge at Burgomillodo and the recreational area in Carrascal del Río. It is 4.5 kilometres each way and is classified as easy. The trail runs outside the boundaries of the natural park and is therefore not subject to park restrictions. For planning purposes, both the distance in each direction and the trail’s rating and location outside the park are important distinctions.

Near Burgomillodo, the Camino de acceso a San Frutos starts at the San Frutos car park. This interpretive walking trail is 925 metres each way and is rated as having low difficulty. Compared with the Senda de la Vega, it is considerably shorter and explicitly interpretive in character. Both details can help you factor the different trail lengths and focuses into your trip planning.

San Frutos and the history of the surrounding area

Near Burgomillodo, the Priory of 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. Also nearby, a viewpoint on the Camino de acceso a San Frutos offers views of the Embalse de Burgomillodo. The reservoir forms one boundary of the Parque Natural Hoces del Río Duratón.

Another local trace of the past lies at Los Muladares in Burgomillodo. Remains of a Romanised indigenous settlement and a Roman villa were discovered there; the site is not signposted. The monastery ruins, the view of the reservoir and the unmarked archaeological site represent different aspects of the history and landscape in and around Burgomillodo.

Activities on the Embalse de Burgomillodo

Burgomillodo is one of the major centres for water sports, kayaking and rowing in Castilla y León. Situral – Canoe Routes offers a canoe trip on the Embalse de Burgomillodo, downstream from the bridge at Villaseca to the dam. The stretch on the water is approximately 8–9 kilometres long and is covered at a relaxed pace, with the necessary breaks.

The canoe trip itself is estimated to take about three hours. Including arrival at the facilities and the return there, the total duration is usually just under four hours. The time spent on the trip and the time for the entire outing are therefore two different planning considerations. Before planning, check the current times and route details with Situral, as route information may change.

The Presa del embalse de Burgomillodo is a gravity dam made of concrete on the Río Duratón. This adds a specific infrastructure feature to the reservoir’s scenic and recreational appeal. Whether you plan your stay around the hiking trails described here, the area around San Frutos or activities on the water, the options differ in trail length, character and time required.

Discover more destinations: Villacastín, Caballar, Castro de Fuentidueña, Nava De La Asunción, Corral de Ayllón, Matabuena, Fuenterrebollo, Fuentepelayo.

For the broader travel overview: Segovia.