Georuta 4: San Pedro Bridge - Zaorejas Viewpoint

<< Stop 1: The route starts at the San Pedro´s BridgeThere is an experimental area on the side of the road. Follow the road in the direction of Zaorejas and after 600 metres, you will arrive at the the tuffaceous building of St. Peter's Bridge, which is crossed by the road. 

We start in a very popular spot in the Alto Tajo where converge two of the most representative rivers in the Park, the river Rooster and the Tagus. To contemplate this confluence on the days after a storm is most curious, as the waters of the Tagus remain clear and those of the Gallo are chocolate-coloured, this is due to the fact that the Tagus flows through limestone materials while the Gallo flows through clayey soils.

<< Stop 2: If you continue 300 metres further along the road, you will find on the left hand side the Tagus trackwhich is signposted. We can take the track to the foot of the waterfall where we can park at the side of the road, then we will have to go back to the road or continue a few metres, park in a small lay-by and walk along the track to the waterfall in about 15 minutes.

<< Stop 3: We arrived at the waterfall of the Stairway From here there is a path marked with a beacon and yellow and white markings (PR) that leads up the side of the canyon. The path crosses a steep slope and in 5 minutes reaches a viewpoint where there is a plaque. From here we can better understand the role that water plays in shaping the landscape.

<< Stop 4: We continue up the path until we reach another viewpoint where, next to a handrail, there is a panel. We will have one of the best views of the Ciño Negro ravineThe waterfall, which has very special characteristics as it is a river valley that is being filled in by a travertine, the waterfall itself.

<< Stop 5: The path continues its ascent. At a bend in the path you will find a marker that will lead you to a slab. This place is very fragile and is in continuous formation, so do not leave the path to avoid degrading the tuff.

<< Stop 6: We continue climbing until we reach the meadow at the top of the Ciño Negro valley. The path enters the valley. Walking towards the escarpments along a path, in a few minutes you will reach another plaque next to a large walnut tree where you can contemplate the rock formations of the ravine, which, if they were to grow in size, would be called enchanted cities.

<< Stop 7: Following the path, you will reach the ruins of a farmyard, almost at the foot of the escarpments. There you will find a small pond with a plaque. This lagoon usually has water all year round and is part of the formation of the travertine building. In times of abundant water, the water infiltrating from the top of the limestone moorlands raises the height of the water table, which allows the water to flow into this small lagoon, precipitating the calcium carbonate that has been washed away and thus forming new tuff.

<< Stop 8: Located in the Zaorejas viewpointIt can be reached by car or on foot. If we choose to walk it will be necessary to go backwards from the Stop 7 a hundred metres, cross the stream and take the forest track. Follow it up for 3 kilometres (approximately 45 minutes) and always turning right at the two crossroads of tracks you will come across, you will reach the viewpoint. If we prefer to go by car, we follow the road in the direction of Zaorejas. At kilometre 4.800 the concrete track that leads to the viewpoint starts (it is signposted).

This viewpoint is a privileged place to contemplate the canyons of the Tagus and the Gallo and the travertine building of El Campillo, which, with its three different terrace levels, represents the episodes of the Tagus river's fluvial confinement. Furthermore, from this viewpoint, in a northerly direction, it is an ideal point for the observation of rupicolous birds. Rock thrushes, red-billed choughs, griffon vultures and with luck, the odd Egyptian vulture, peregrine falcon or even golden eagle. It is undoubtedly a place for birdwatchers and birdwatchers who love ornithology.