San Felices is located in the Natural Park Arribes del Duero. The rich landscape offered is a result of the contrast of the plain, planted with cereals and pastures, with deep canyons and steep cliffs where the boxed Agueda river runs on its way to Portugal, to rejoin the parent Duero . The Agueda is possibly the only river in the Arribes retaining today its river ecosystem, through which we can imagine what formerly was the region of The Arribes, in terms of its rich landscape and unspoiled nature . The river runs through a terrain with deep cut and granite cliffs, narrow lanes and bridle paths that lead to beautiful places of difficult access, and its unique Mediterranean microclimate, have provided a varied vegetation in which are abundant oaks, juniper, beech, ash, maple, poplar... and cultivated almond trees, vines and olive trees. The broom thickets, lavenders, thorns, hawthorns, creasing and bolts that populate the hillsides have kept safe hunting reserves. Thanks to the tranquility of these places, more than two hundred species of vertebrates have found refuge to live and reproduce. The Agueda Arribes host a bird reserve, mostly protected. Black storks, vultures, eagles, booted eagles, golden eagles, owls... fly over steep cliffs on the deep canyons that fluvial erosion has caused. Breeding also in these places are otters, genets, badgers, foxes and wild boar. Its numerous cuts and balconies allow ample panoramic viewpoints, the waterfalls of the river and streams offer splendid landscapes where recreate the view, listen to the murmur of water and breathe the sweet aromas, with which the rich vegetation perfumes these fields. It is here on this side, where wayfarer can discover and develop a sense of peace and freedom that comes from a virgin land.



Castelmao Castro, Bridge of the French

and the Mesa del Conde (County Board):

By doing a nice hiking trail we would meet”La Mesa del Conde” (The County Board), Castelmao Castro and the Bridge of the French. The route called GR.14.1 is marked with two parallel stripe beacons with a red and white on top (when the lines appear crossed over, then it is a path that does not correspond to the route). This route starts at Hinojosa de Duero, goes through Sobradillo, Ahigal de los Aceiteros and San Felices de los Gallegos to the Bridge of the French, Puerto Seguro and ends up in La Bouza. If we start at San Felices, we offer a landscape of orchards on both sides of the road with their crankshafts or zanguaños. Passing the first mile with ashes cresting a lush valley, below is a pipe where two roads diverge, we chose the left that will take us to the Castro. Most of the remaining miles pass between two stone walls and granite ledges until you reach the area known as "arribes del Agueda" (above the Agueda), then we will find the Castelmao Castro. The fort appears to have housed the Vettons town since the fourth century BC until the fourth century A.D. Defensive structures of the reservoir are located in its northern end. In a first line of defense features a powerful kneeling stone frieze of ninety feet long by forty wide. In a second line stands a mound facing strong base manufactured drywall with blocks of irregular size. The walling does not close over this side of the fort. After seeing this interesting site, our steps go back to a previous trough now taking the other road, to the left from the direction in which we come, to take us to our next destination: The French Bridge, the only vestige of the French army by the village. In this way we will surround the olive crop to reach the top of the "arribes del Agueda", we go down a rocky path that winds down the hillside. The arrival to the bridge will offer spectacular views of the river and its "arribes" (upper part) with a sky filled with birds of prey and often by vultures. On arrival we may observe the granite ashlar with three eyes on the bridge, formed by arches. The central arch span is twice those of the sides, with granite parapet. If you feel still in the mood you may follow the path and climb up the other side of the “arribes” over towards Puerto Seguro. And finally, the route that gives name to our Travel Center, La Mesa del Conde, is at an approximate distance of the town, about 3-4 kms. (2 miles), Starting on the same road to the fort and the bridge but , immediately to the right side which will take us to the destination. We shall also meet ashes area and gardens with crankshafts, starting quickly after ancient olive groves that have been turning into oak. To our right is always with us a stream that is gradually more and more boxing. If we keep attention we shall see numerous huts or stone walls and terraces. At the end of the road, the entrance to a private estate that has a small plateau wherefrom we see the beautiful landscape of the County Board. The adventurous can descend a few meters down a rocky path from which one can see a deep cut in the ground and a waterfall more than 70 m. High, a character of the landscape. This place was a favorite for hunting by Count Don Sancho, who gives name to this beautifulplace.