Alagón River, River system in Cáceres and Salamanca provinces, Spain
The Alagón River is a river in the Spanish provinces of Cáceres and Salamanca, flowing westward through the interior of the Iberian Peninsula before joining the Tagus River. Along its course, several dams in Cáceres Province shape the surrounding landscape and regulate the flow of water.
The river has its source on the southern slope of the Sierra de Herreros, where it rises from a spring recorded in geographical surveys of the 19th century. Over the following decades, dams were built along its lower course to control flooding and generate power for the surrounding region.
In Montehermoso, women traditionally panned for gold flakes in the gravel beds of this river, a practice passed down through families over generations. Visitors to the area can still learn about this local tradition, which reflects how deeply daily life along the river was shaped by its resources.
Spring and autumn bring mild weather and good water levels, making them the most comfortable times to visit the river. The area is easy to reach by car, and walking paths near the banks allow visitors to move along the river at their own pace.
In its lower course, the river passes through a narrow natural gorge called the Salto del Caballo, where rock walls close in tightly on the water just before it reaches the Tagus. This section looks and feels completely different from the open valley stretches further upstream.
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