Sepúlveda and the Hoces del Duratón Natural Park: a guide to the Two Rivers route
In the province of Segovia, standing on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by deep canyons, is the medieval town of Sepúlveda. Declared a Historic-Artistic Site and listed among the most beautiful villages in Spain, it is an open-air museum of Romanesque architecture and also the main gateway to one of the most striking natural areas in the Iberian Peninsula: the Hoces del Río Duratón Natural Park.
Sepúlveda is less than an hour and a half from Madrid and 55 minutes from the city of Segovia, which makes it a good base for rural and nature tourism in central Spain. Here you can go from cobbled streets full of history to walking trails that wind beside the river.
The Two Rivers route: a circular walk through history and nature
Among the many walking routes in the area, the Two Rivers route (Senda de los Dos Ríos) stands out for being easy to reach, for its scenery and for its monuments. It is a circular walk of about 5.4 kilometres, of low to medium difficulty, and takes around an hour and a half. It works well for families or groups of friends. You do not need to travel anywhere remote to start: the trail begins in the town itself, so it combines a medieval town with time in nature.
From the heart of the town to the viewpoints
The route officially starts at the Casa del Parque (the former Church of Santiago) and heads to the Plaza Mayor of Sepúlveda, the centre of the town. From there you walk along Calle de la Barbacana. This first urban stretch leads to the Puerta del Ecce Homo, a well-preserved medieval gate in the town walls.
After passing through the gate, the route climbs along Calle de los Santos Justo y Pastor. The climb is rewarded when you reach the Church of the Virgen de la Peña, a 12th-century Romanesque church that houses the patron saint of the town and its surrounding area. Just behind the church is one of the best viewpoints in the area: a natural lookout over the first gorges of the River Duratón, where you can watch griffon vultures, the main wildlife of the park, in flight.
Down the Roman road and the Puerta de la Fuerza
After the views from the higher ground, known geologically as “lastras”, the path descends towards the river. It goes through the Puerta de la Fuerza, a defensive gate that was important in the town’s military past. From here the terrain changes, and you go down along the line of an old Roman road, walking on the same stones that have linked the valley for centuries.
The descent ends at the Puente de Picazos bridge, where you cross the River Duratón. The view changes completely: from the aerial views at the viewpoint, you move to riverside woodland, walking beneath the limestone walls of the canyon.
The river path: between the Duratón and the Caslilla
The route continues along the left bank of the river, going upstream. This is the part where the vegetation is thickest. After a short climb you reach the ICONA footbridge, which gives one of the best views of the gorge for photographs. The path stays by the water, passing the old dam of the Fábrica de la Luz, a trace of the area’s industrial past, until you reach the Puente de Talcano bridge.
The walk then goes on to the second river, the Caslilla. Here, near a parking area, look out for some stone steps on the left that let you go around the rock formation known as the Silla de Montar a Caballo (the “horse saddle”), shaped by erosion over the centuries.
Back to the walled town
The last stretch is a gentle descent to the River Caslilla, which you cross by the Puente de Palmarejos bridge. From the riverbank, a steady climb up the hillside takes you back to the town. You re-enter the fortified town through the Puerta del Castro and then the Puerta de Duruelo. These old gates lead you back to the Plaza Mayor, completing the circuit.
Where to stay in Sepúlveda: resting in the heart of Segovia
Sepúlveda is worth more than a quick visit. The town is at its quietest when the sun goes down and silence settles over the Hoces del Río Duratón and the town walls. Deciding where to sleep in Sepúlveda lets you turn a day trip into a stay, with the evening light and the calm of the mornings.
Accommodation in the area is notable for its local character. Several places have restored old noble houses where exposed stone, wooden beams and a fireplace create a rustic, elegant feel. They are a good option for resting after a day of walking or birdwatching in the natural park.
Hotels and guesthouses in Sepúlveda
- Hotel Rural El Cañón del Duratón en Villaseca de Sepúlveda
- Hospedería los Templarios Sepúlveda
- Hotel Puerta Sepúlveda
- Posada de San Millán Sepúlveda
- Hotel Rural & SPA Puente del Duratón Sepúlveda
- Hotel Vado del Duratón Sepúlveda
Where to stay in Sepúlveda
Location matters if you want to get the most out of your visit. Many places to stay are in the old town or at natural viewpoints, and offer a calm that is hard to find in other destinations.
When choosing where to stay in Sepúlveda, you can wake up to views over the canyons and the Romanesque churches. Being so close means you can enjoy the local food without rushing, with roast lamb (lechazo) as the main dish, and walk back to your room under the stars. Whether you choose a hotel with character or a more private stay, sleeping here means a restful night surrounded by history and nature.
Book your stay in a medieval town
Wake up facing the Hoces del Duratón. Book your stay in Sepúlveda and stay a short walk from the natural park.