Parque Natural del Río Alagón & Dehesa Walk
The stretch of the Alagón River immediately below Coria's walls is a wildlife corridor of surprising richness — white storks fish the shallows, Eurasian otters patrol the reed beds at dusk, and the flanking dehesa of cork oak and holm oak is one of the most biodiverse habitats in Europe. A well-marked riverside path lets you walk into it within five minutes of the cathedral.
The Riverside Trail
The Senda del Río Alagón begins at the foot of the northern wall, where a dirt track drops to the riverbank and follows the water west for around 4 km before looping back through the dehesa. The full circuit takes about two hours at a gentle pace and is almost entirely flat — suitable for all fitness levels.
In spring the path is bordered by wild orchids and rockrose in bloom, and the air smells of cistus and warm granite. Griffon vultures from the Sierra de Gata regularly soar overhead, and black kites hunt the river surface throughout summer.
Wildlife Highlights by Season
February to August is stork season: dozens of pairs nest on the town walls and cathedral, and you can watch them fishing in the shallows from the riverbank at close range. April and May are the peak months for breeding waders and purple herons in the reed beds.
Otter activity is highest at dawn and dusk from October to March, when water levels are higher and the banks are quieter. Look for their spraint (droppings) on prominent rocks at the water's edge as evidence of a healthy population. Bring rubber boots after rain — the bank can be muddy.
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