the railway essential information The “Iron Road” route consists of the 17 final • The itineraries have their closing times: make kilometres of the old railway line from La Fuente sure you know them. de San Esteban to Barca d’Alva. This service was • When on the route have your ticket to hand and known as the Duero Line and was built between a document to identify you by. 1883 and 1887 to encourage the connection be- • Children must be accompanied by an adult. tween and Oporto. • It is compulsory to wear a reflective safety vest Over 2.000 workers took part in the operation and also the use of a torch. which was a tough challenge, mainly on this final • Take plenty of water, suitable footwear, sun section as a result of the technical solutions which protection cream, and some food. a route of tunnels had to be implemented in order to overcome the • Walk along the side passageways and observe rugged relief of the area. the rules. and bridges The 20 tunnels and 10 metallic bridges stand out • Take the high temperatures of the summer and some of the latter are of the Eiffel school; months into account. together with other heritage elements they led • The mobile telephone signals are inadequate. an experience of to the declaration of this great work of civil engi- • Wet sleepers may be slippery. contrasts neering as an Asset of Cultural Interest in the year • Pets may not be taken. “Camino de Hierro” is a pedestrian route running 2000. along a section of railway line that has been clo- sed to trains and prepared for hiking; it combines the grandiosity of the most representative civil engineering of the 19th century with a rare na- tural beauty. On this path you will discover the vertigo of brid- ges suspended over impossible gorges, the half- -light of tunnels drilled in the living rock, and the extent of landscapes which form part of a unique ecosystem. This bold proposal offers you something diffe- rent, an experience of the contrasts of light, pers- pectives, and sensations. In short this is a journey of stone, iron, and water.

the surroundings Set in an area of exceptional ecological value, the Arribes del Duero nature reserve, “Camino de Hierro” is an opportunity to discover the great to be taken into river canyons and the interesting fauna and flora account the route they hold. • Take care throughout the route, especially in The complete route is 17 km from the station of The surrounding area is waiting for you with other tunnels and on bridges. to the Vega Terrón river quay. You proposals to make your visit an unforgettable one. • Make proper use of the torch. can follow it in its entirety (about 6 hours) or take • To make observations it is better to stop. a shorter route to tunnel number 3 and return to • Tunnel number 3 may be closed at certain times the start which will amount to 8 km there and back owing to the bats’ breeding season - Use the (about 3.5 hours). Arribes Travel Club: alternative path. At the beginning, some 500 metres from the sta- Experiences, interpreted visits, boat trips, tra- ditional menus, handicrafts, tasting sessions... • During your visit please follow the rules and tion we pass through tunnel number 1, the long- www.clubdelviajeroarribesdelduero.es indications given by the control and information est on the route with a length of over 1.5 km. On Route of the Hill-forts and boar stone statues: personnel. coming out of it a succession of other tunnels www.salamancaterritorioveton.com • You are in a nature reserve, please respect the and bridges begins which mark the way on a path Arribes Wine Route: environment and avoid making noise. which gently slopes downwards. www.rutadelvinoarribes.com • There are places where you can leave your The itinerary runs alongside the impressive crags Route of Viewpoints, cruises, museums... Ayuntamiento Ayuntamiento rubbish; do not leave your litter on the route. and the course of the River Agueda until it runs de La Fregeneda de www.salamancaemocion.es/es/destinos/lasar- • At certain times of the year the fire risk is high; into the Duero at the only river quay of Castilla y ribes do not light a fire or smoke under any circum- León. House of the Arribes del Duero Nature Re- stances. Once you get there a means of transport will take tickets only on the Internet serve: www.patrimonionatural.org • Your safety depends on your behaviour; be you back to the start of the route; consult the www.caminodehierro.es sensible. timetables. PORTUGAL Muelle fluvial de Vega de Terrón Km. 17 International Bridge Embarcadero Bridge Tunnel 20 Km. 16 Duero River

Tunnel 19 Tunnel 18 CAMINO DE HIERRO Las Almas Km. 15 La Fregeneda Bridge rev Ri adÁeu g Salamanca C-517 Km. 14 Los Riscos Km. 13 Bridge Km. 12

Tunnel 17 Tunnel 15 Tunnel 16

Los Poyos Km. 11 Fregeneda Bridge train station information of Tunnel 14 Km. 0 Tunnel 13 La Fregeneda interest Km. 10 Tunnel 12 Distance: • “Camino de Hierro”: Station of La Fregeneda - Tunnel 11 Vega Terrón Quay: 17 km (one way) El Lugar Km. 1 Bridge Km. 9 Tunnel 10 Tunnel 1 • Short route: Station of La Fregeneda - Tunnel C-517 number 3 (alternative path) - Station: 8 km there and back

Tunnel 9 Duration: Tunnel 8 Km. 2 Km. 8 • Iron Road: 6 hours approx. PORTUGAL • Short route: 3.5 hours approx. Km. 7 Pingallo Bridge Difficulty: Km. 3 Average. Descending path alongside the railway Tunnel 7 track. El Poyo Valiente Bridge Km. 6 Tunnel 5 Recommended seasons: Spring and autumn. Tunnel 6 Tunnel 4 Tunnel 2 Take care: Poyo Rubio Km. 4 Bridge Km. 5 People who suffer from vertigo. Return transport: El Morgado *Alternative path A means of transport will take you back from N Bridge Short route the Vega Terrón Quay to the Station of La Tunnel 3 W Fregeneda (included in the ticket).

E MIDE (Excursion Information Method) Camino de Hierro S Timetable 6h 3 to 5 Severity of the environment We advise you to take: Accumulated ascent 0 m 1 Orientation in the itinerary Tunnel Tourist information 1 Plenty of water

Accumulated descent 330 m 3 Difficulty of access 2 Sun protection cream Bridge WC 3 A hat or cap The Route Horizontal distance 17,0 km 3 Amount of effort needed River quay 4 Some form of food Kilometre point Route type Crossing 5 Clothes and footwear suitable for hiking Parking 6 Alternative path A reflective safety vest and a torch Service for returning All-year-round conditions; estimated times according to the MIDE criterion, without stops. Local road to the station DL S 252-2020