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Water · Valdemoro-Sierra

River Guadazaón

An upper stretch of the River Guadazaón was declared a River Nature Reserve in 2022, near Valdemoro-Sierra, above the Boniches Triassic aquifer. Almost unregulated and unaltered, it has black pine forest down to the channel, otters, bermejuela fish, native crayfish and dippers. Its main threat is the invasive signal crayfish.

Aerial view of the narrow valley of the Guadazaón between wooded slopes, with the riverbed covered by vegetation
A stretch of the Guadazaón through the woodland, in 2024. Photo: «Ortoimagen», Sistema Cartográfico Nacional (2024) · CC BY 4.0
Municipality
Valdemoro-Sierra
  • River Guadazaón
  • River Nature Reserve
  • Valdemoro-Sierra
  • Otter
  • Cabriel

An almost intact river

In its headwaters, near Valdemoro-Sierra, the Guadazaón runs in a confined channel without dams: there is no regulation, discharge or abstraction of significance. The Council of Ministers therefore declared it a River Nature Reserve on 29 November 2022. It flows over the Boniches Triassic aquifer, and the banks are so steep that there is no riverside woodland: the black pine forest descends to the water.

Here live the otter, water vole, bermejuela, barbel and trout, native crayfish, water snakes and birds such as the kingfisher and dipper. The biggest problem is the signal crayfish, an invasive species occupying almost the entire stretch.

Plan your visit

Before you travel

Paths from Valdemoro-Sierra cross or follow the channel: do not introduce crayfish or fish from elsewhere, and clean your footwear if coming from another river.

Combine with

Los Casares and La Balsa de Valdemoro-Sierra.

Frequently asked questions

What is a River Nature Reserve?

A river stretch in very good condition which the Ministry protects to conserve it. The Guadazaón reserve (ES080RNF173) was designated by a Council of Ministers agreement of 29 November 2022.

Which animals live there?

Otters, water voles, bermejuela fish, Mediterranean barbel, trout, native crayfish, water snakes and birds such as kingfishers and dippers, among others.

Carry on from here

Lands and landscapes

From here, follow the memory of the land

These readings connect River Guadazaón with the stories, the work and the villages around it.

Where it is

Location of River Guadazaón Alcalá de la VegaArcos de la SierraBeamudBonichesBuenache de la SierraCampillos-ParavientosCampillos-SierraCañada del HoyoCañeteCarboneras de GuadazaónLa CiervaCuencaFuentesHuélamoHuérguinaHuerta del MarquesadoLaguna del MarquesadoLas MajadasPajarónPajaroncilloPalomeraPortillaSalinas del ManzanoSalvacañeteTejadillosTragaceteUñaValdemecaValdemorillo de la SierraValdemoro-SierraVillalba de la SierraZafrillaArcas PNSC-S5: Subida al Castillo de HuélamoPNSC-S8: Fuente de La Ardilla-Estepares (Micológico)PR-CU 105: Sendero de la casa de CuraPR-CU 108: Monteagudillo y el embalse de la TobaPR-CU 109: Vuelta a la ModorraPR-CU 112: Beamud - Molino de Juan RomeroPR-CU 113: Ruta cicloturista de ZafrillaPR-CU 16: Sendero de la fuente del TejoPR-CU 20: Ruta de los CastillosPR-CU 21: Ruta de la fuente de MarimingoPR-CU 29: Ceñajo de Los Calatrava, Peña Rubia y Las TorcasPR-CU 37: Sendero del Escalerón y La RayaPR-CU 38: Sendero de los ArroyosPR-CU 39: sendero de la VegaPR-CU 66: El Rodenal de BonichesPR-CU 7: Ruta del MasegarPR-CU 83: Sendero de las LagunasPR-CU 87: Sendero de la Cañada Real de los ChorrosPR-CU 88: Sendero de la Colada del Barranco de la PalancosaSendero interpretativo de la laguna del MarquesadoSL-CU 15: Sendero de la Laguna del Marquesado Valdemoro-Sierra
In colour, the municipality. The place does not yet have a verified location, so no point is drawn. Municipal boundaries: © IGN (CC BY 4.0). Route lines: simplified official tracks; source and GPX on each page.
Where the data on this page come from

«Source consulted»: the primary source has been read. «Reference located»: the source has been identified but not yet read. «Open question»: the figure needs confirmation.