La Yecla Gorge by the Walkways

La Yecla is a limestone gorge of about a kilometre, deep and narrow, through which the Helechal stream runs, about 3 km south of Santo Domingo de Silos. It is walked on metal walkways hung over the water, and it is the quickest and easiest way to look into the Sabinares del Arlanza-La Yecla Natural Park.

What you see

The gorge was formed by dissolution and collapse of the rock, in a landscape of limestone escarpments and eroded synclines. From the car park, a short path goes down into the canyon and follows it along walkways less than two metres wide, between vertical walls that let in little sun. Below you can see shafts, giant potholes carved by the water and small falls.

On the cliffs nests one of the largest colonies of griffon vultures in the province of Burgos, and Egyptian vultures, peregrine falcons and Bonelli's eagles also fly around. According to the Camino del Cid, first thing in the morning it is easy to see the vultures leave the walls.

Duration, difficulty and season

It is about 15 minutes of easy walking, and in half an hour you can do it calmly, stopping to look. It is a good plan for children, but it has no adaptation for wheelchairs or for people with reduced mobility. Entry is free and open. With small children, hold their hand on the walkways and leave the pushchair in the car: a baby carrier is better.

The season changes the visit a lot. In summer the stream carries little water and the gorge looks less impressive. In winter there may be ice on the stairs and on part of the walkways: go with shoes that grip and watch where you step. The Burgos Tourism Board recommends leaving this stop, like the other outdoor visits in the Arlanza, for the months from May to October.

Getting there and parking

From Silos you leave along the BU-910 heading south. The road goes through some tunnels, and the car park is at the exit of the tunnels, beside the start of the path. By car it is a few minutes from the village.

What to combine it with

La Yecla adds effortlessly to a morning or afternoon in Silos: the monastery's cloister, apothecary and museum and, at 19:00, Vespers in Gregorian chant. If you want something more active in the same park, the via ferrata at Arauzo de Miel is to the south, about 15 km from Silos. The Camino del Cid includes the gorge in its Exile route (ruta del Destierro), which can be done on foot or by bike, and in Silos the safe-conduct of travellers following it is stamped.