The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Reserva Natural De Las Lagunas De Villafáfila

It is the largest lagoon in the Lagunas de Villafáfila Nature Reserve.

The Roman Bridge of Villarigo is located east of Villafáfila, near Laguna Salina Grande and Laguna el Puente. This bridge, dating from the High Roman Empire (27 BC - 305 AD), has three arches of unequal size, with the central arch twice the size of the side arches. Although it has been extensively rebuilt, it retains its original structure with strong ashlar voussoirs. The bridge was part of a network of Roman roads that connected various settlements and facilitated crossing the Villafáfila lagoons. Today, the bridge is a point of historical and architectural interest in the region.

Laguna Salina Grande is located in the Villafáfila Nature Reserve, in the province of Zamora. This lagoon is the largest in the reserve and is an ideal place for birdwatching, especially during winter and spring. In winter, thousands of geese and ducks congregate there, while in spring, a wide variety of waders can be observed. One of the most interesting routes to explore the area is the circular trail that passes by Laguna Salina Grande, the Otero de Sariegos bird observatory, and the Roman bridge in Villafáfila. This route offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy the reserve's wildlife and landscape.

Otero de Sariegos is an uninhabited village located in the municipality of Villafáfila, in the province of Zamora, Castile and León. This place is known for its natural lagoon, which attracts numerous tourists and birdwatchers due to the diversity of species found there. Historically, Otero de Sariegos has been linked to salt production since prehistoric times. The name "Sariegos" is believed to come from "saliegos," referring to salt producers. During the Middle Ages, salt exploitation reached its peak, and the area was filled with small villages dedicated to this activity. Although currently uninhabited, the site remains of interest for its historical and natural value.

This monastery complex, where Cistercians once prayed and worked day after day, even as a ruin still provides impressive evidence of the magnificent architecture. This monastic order (the order's Latin name is "Ordo Cisterciensis") takes its name from the French town of Citeaux in Burgundy, where the first monastery was founded in 1098. It is a reform branch of the Benedictines.

Even if we always use the term “St. James Way” in the singular in the German language, there is no such thing as “one”. Rather, it is a network of many Ways of St. James that runs through several European countries and then concentrates on a few main routes in Spain (the most famous is the "Camino Frances", which leads from the Pyrenees through the north of Spain). However, in order to get from the south of Spain to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, a different route is required, which JavierCR and DennisKe have already described briefly.

Leaving Granja de Moreruela you reach an important crossing of the Vía de la Plata: towards the north, Astorga and the Camino Francés; Towards the northwest, Sanabria and Ourense. In which direction are you dreaming?

Spectacular stone bridge with 9 symmetrical arches that crosses the Esla River. It was built in 1920 to connect the trade route between the Zamora regions of Tierra de Campos and Tábara. The bridge is located on the Jacobean route known as Camino Mozárabe Sanabrés, which allows pilgrims to cross into Zamora and Galicia beyond.