Located less than 30 kilometers from Vinuesa, creating a natural border between Soria, Burgos and La Rioja, is the majestic Pico de Urbión. It is not the only limit that delimits this mountain range, since it separates the basins of two of the most important rivers of the Iberian Peninsula: the Duero and the Ebro. There are many reasons why this steep mountain, which belongs to the Iberian System, attracts the attention of nature lovers.

The Urbión mountain range is abundant in water. The Urbión River, a tributary of the Najerilla that flows into the Ebro River, originates on its northern side. On its southern side, the Duero River is born, which, with its more than 890 kilometers, crosses the Iberian Peninsula until it flows into Oporto, in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Peak of Urbión is located at an altitude of 2,228 meters (8,860 feet) crowning the mountain range that bears its name. It is not the only peak that exceeds 2,000 meters in height. Close to the highest peak are Muñalba, Tres Provincias and Zorraquín. A great relief that allows the Sierra de Urbión to become a frequent attraction for hikers.

Walking to the top or along its slopes; climbing its rocky walls, riding a mountain bike along its trails or paragliding over this incredible natural environment are some of the activities you can do to enjoy the Sierra de Urbión to the fullest.

The Duero sources have become a place of pilgrimage for any lover of the mountain and of inspiration for poets and romantics. Mountaineers can ascend to Pico Urbión by any of the many alternative routes offered by the place. In each one of them you will discover and contemplate natural elements as beautiful as they are unique, so it is not surprising that the ascent is repeated on several occasions, and so you do not miss the opportunity to get to know and enjoy all the natural resources.

One of the most travelled routes is from the previously named Laguna Negra. This route starts from the very edge of the lagoon, at 1,800 meters of altitude, on the left side. During the ascent through this circuit, you will surround an imposing rocky cliff, walk over the Zorraquín depression and discover the Laguna Larga up to 2,228 meters of the Muela de Urbión.

There are many points of interest that can be visited, following the numerous paths that the mountain offers, but without a doubt the greatest attraction it shows are its lagoons of glacial origin, some of them mentioned above. In the areas of greater altitude there are cirques, glacial valleys and moraine accumulations, originated during the Quaternary period.

It is not only a place for those who seek to enter this green sea of pines and slopes dotted with moraine sediments and feel the contact with the purest nature. In addition to being a source of the Douro, it is also an inspiration and muses for literary people. Great authors like Pío Baroja, Miguel de Unamuno or Gerardo Diego have felt the need to talk about this place. This is the case of these verses of this last poet, from Soria, who wrote about the province leaving an interpretation of it as beautiful and musical as his words. These are a strophe he dedicated to Pico Urbión:

But something, Urbión, does not sleep in your fridge,

that, between diapers of your virgin snow,

Without ceasing, the child Duero is born and cries.

Gerardo Diego.