After passing the San José reservoir, we continue to follow the Douro River closely, approaching the Nature Reserve of the Castronuño-Vega del Duero Riverbanks. We recommend packing your binoculars and visiting this nature reserve, a major nesting and hibernating area for numerous species of water birds.
Along the Douro riverbanks, you’ll be surrounded by a riverbank forest comprising mainly black poplars, willows, white poplars, ash trees and oneseed hawthorn bushes.
In Villafranca del Duero, you’ll have the unique opportunity to enjoy two designations of origin, Toro and Rueda. At this point, you’ll leave the Rueda Wine Route to enter the Toro Wine Route under the watchful eye of the Douro River.
Save your strength for the final uphill section on the way to Toro, as it has a steep incline. The views of the impressive landscape of Vega del Río Duero, which you’ll be able to admire from the ‘Paseo del Espolón’ viewpoint, are well worth it.
Toro offers excellent tourism options and a high level of services. It is a city of great historical value, raised to defend the ford along the river, and a large bridge of Roman origin runs across it.
The most important building is its Collegiate Church. Constructed during the 11th and 13th centuries, it is one of the most emblematic and well-known monuments of the Romanesque world, with a beautiful ribbed dome over the cross and a Gothic portico covered in polychrome sculptures at the foot.
Be sure to combine sightseeing with a wine tasting of the Toro designation of origin at one of its emblematic wineries. Don’t forget to sample the tapas and delicious meats of the area, the cheese from the designation of origin and the sweets made by the nuns. It is with good reason that Toro is located on a certified Wine Route.
Comments: Section 15