La Fregeneda – Camino de Hierro and Arribes del Duero

The Camino de Hierro in La Fregeneda runs through 20 railway tunnels and over 10 bridges. Tunnel No. 1 is more than 1.5 km long.

When searching for a holiday apartment in La Fregeneda, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on booking websites.

Nature

La Fregeneda is one of the municipalities in the province of Salamanca located within the protected Arribes del Duero Nature Park. The Duero and the Águeda form steep Arribes slopes along the northern and southwestern boundaries of La Fregeneda, respectively. La Fregeneda has a Mediterranean-continental microclimate in which almond trees, orange trees, olive trees and prickly pear cacti find their natural habitat.

Hiking and trails

Visitors to the Camino de Hierro must validate their ticket at the visitor reception centre at the Vega Terrón quay before being taken to the starting point of the long route at the old railway station or to the start of the short route in La Fregeneda.

The Camino de Hierro is intended exclusively for hiking. The short route begins in the municipal area of La Fregeneda, is just over 9 km in total and joins the route at the Puente de los Poyos.

Tunnel No. 3 of the Camino de Hierro may be closed during certain periods because of the bats’ hibernation and breeding; in this case, an alternative route is available.

Public transport reaches the municipality of La Fregeneda; from there, it is 6.5 km to the starting point of the Camino de Hierro at the Vega Terrón quay. The Camino de Hierro can be reached from Salamanca via the C-517 through Vitigudino and Lumbrales, from Ciudad Rodrigo via the SA-324 and the C-517 through Lumbrales, and from Portugal via the N 221.

Culture and history

The Church of San Marcos Evangelista was begun in the Gothic style in the 16th century and completed in the Baroque style in the 18th century. La Fregeneda’s attractions include the international railway bridge on the route between La Fuente de San Esteban and Barca d’Alva.

The Arroyo de las Almas archaeological site in the municipal area of La Fregeneda comprises around 600 engraved motifs dating from the Upper Palaeolithic to the present day. The oldest engravings include 21 figurative depictions; their execution using an incised technique suggests that they date from the Magdalenian period. The site also includes 137 schematic engravings dating from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age.

Día del Almendro in La Fregeneda is a festival celebrating the blossoming almond trees and Spanish-Portuguese ties, which has been held there since the early 1960s. Traditional programme items planned for Día del Almendro 2024 included a symbolic almond tree planting and an eco-nature fair featuring almonds and other products from both sides of the border.

The Duero leaves Castile and León at La Fregeneda and, after crossing the border into Portugal, continues to flow calmly and remain navigable. Large river cruise ships travelling along the Douro from Porto dock at the Vega Terrón quay in La Fregeneda. The Mafeito viewpoint is considered accessible.

More destinations to explore: San Pedro De Rozados, Pinedas, Pereña De La Ribera, Trabanca, Tenebrón, Parada De Arriba, Madroñal, Aldehuela De Yeltes

For the overarching travel overview: Salamanca.