Soria Natural Spaces
Sierra de Urbión
The Picos de Urbión are mountainous escarpments belonging
to the Sistema Ibérico, that rise proudly at the borders
between Soria, Burgos and La Rioja. They are famous because the
river Duero emerges within these mountains, and they also contain
an interesting collection of lakes of glacial origin. Particularly
interesting among the multitude of small natural lakes is La Laguna
Negra ("The Black Pool"), which is surrounded by a splendid
mixed forest of Scots pines and beech trees and also cloaked in
popular legends and traditions.
The only way to reach the heart of the Picos de Urbión
is to walk through their beautiful landscape. The end of the asphalt
road which climbs from Vinuesa - the first town through which
Castilla y León's main river flows - is the starting point
of a path that takes us, in just a few minutes, to the bank of
the Laguna Negra. This path is also the start of the climb to
the top of La Muela de Urbión, which, with an altitude
of 2,300 metres, provides marvellous views over one of Spain's
largest and most important forest regions.
From the small fisherman's hut, the visitor can follow the edge
of the lake round to the left, until reaching a lively stream.
After crossing this, we find a path signed in the direction of
the pass, which gives access to the upper shelf of the cirque.
From above, the traces left by quaternary glacial activity are
clearly visible, and looking at them, it is easy to understand
why this scenery has been a source of such inspiration in local
legends and traditions. We have to follow the edge of the cliff
for several 100 metres until reaching a path with leads to the
Laguna Larga ("Large Pool"), following an old glacial
valley. From this point, we simply have to climb the signposted
gulley to the summit of la Muela de Urbión. The very first
waters of the river Duero emerge close to the summit.
Sabinar de Calatañazor
The Sabinar de Calatañazor is one of the best preserved
junipers woods on the planet. Located on flat calcareous terrain
at 1,000 metres above sea level, this wood contains some trees
of remarkable age and stature: 14 metres high, more than five
metres in diameter, and over 2,000 years old.
In the area surrounding the juniper woods, we find the evocative
medieval silhouette of Calatañazor: one of the most beautiful
and inspirational villages of the whole region. Surrounded by
an impressive precipice and overlooked by the imposing profile
of its castle, Calatañazor's narrow stone streets contain
houses with porticos built of adobe and thick juniper wood beams.
Soria guide