Fascinating Spain :: Latest News - Natural parks

Garganta de los Infiernos

Fascinating Spain — Sat, 8 Feb 2025 12:08:15 +0100

Located in the heart of the Jerte Valley, the Garganta de los Infiernos Nature Reserve occupies a total of 6,927 hectares of land between the northwest slope of the Sierra de Tormantos, the southwest end of the Sierra de Gredos and the Jerte River itself.

Garganta de los Infiernos is a space of strong natural contrasts. Thus, it is mostly formed by granite and gneiss rocks on which river erosion has drawn a striking landscape of drops, streams, waterfalls and pools.

Among all the terrain of the Garganta de los Infiernos, the area of Los Pilones stands out especially. There are several "marmitas de gigante" or large circular pools that extend along the Serra Gorge, an ancient valley of glacial origin. The Garganta de los Infiernos includes one of the few high mountain ecosystems present in Extremadura.

It extends over the northern slope of the province of Cáceres, where the Cuerda de los Infiernillos and the Cerro del Estecillo stand. At 2,281 and 2,290 metres high respectively, they are the highest points in the protected area.

Vegetation and fauna

The vegetation of the Garganta de los Infernos is divided between areas of deciduous forest (with species such as the melojo oak, hawthorn, strawberry tree, cherry or chestnut). Therefore, these are areas of riverbank where alders, ashes, willows, yews or hollies appear. Finally, there are high mountain areas where the bush and the meadow predominate.

As for the fauna, the mountain goat is the most representative mammal species of the Garganta de los Infernos. Along with it, there are populations of Iberian desman, wild cat or genet. Among the birds of the Garganta de los infiernos, the most important are the birds of prey that are common in the high mountain areas of central Spain. For example, the golden eagle, the peregrine falcon, the kite or the tawny vulture, and other species such as the blackbird, the hoopoe or the black stork.

Hiking and access

There are several signposted routes that allow you to go through the Garganta de los Infiernos on foot. Some of the best known are those of La Umbría, Los Pilones or the Garganta de los Infiernos. In addition, the pool area of Los Pilones is an area of great affluence of bathers from much of Spain during the summer months.

The N-110 road between Plasencia and Ávila is the main entrance to the reserve. On its borders are the towns of Jerte, Cabezuela del Valle and Tornavacas.

Some recommendations to eat and sleep in the surroundings of Garganta de los Infiernos

In Cabezuela del Valle

Rerstaurant El Castillo

Restaurant Tío Pío

In Jerte

Restaurant Napoleón

Bar-Restaurant Valle del Jerte

Restaurant Los Naranjos

Restaurant La Cabaña

In Tornavacas

Restaurant La Covacha

Restaurant Puerto de Tornavacas

In Cabezuela del Valle

Hotel Aljama

Apartamentos El Huerto del Cura

Los Apartamentos Prado del Abuelo

Apartamentos Valle del Jerte

In Jerte

Hotel Los Arenales

Casa Rural El Cerezal de los Sotos

Casa Rural Huracás

Camping Valle del Jerte

In Tornavacas

Casa Rural Finca El Carpintero

Hostal Puerto de Tornavacas

Casa Rural Antigua Posada

Casa Rural El Puente

Calvitero Natura Active Tourism (Cáceres)

Légola Active Tourism (Cáceres)

Visitors' Centre of La Reserva. Ctra. N-110. Km. 369. Phone: +34 927 014 936. GPS coordinates approx. 40º 12′ 21.63″ N – 5º 46′ 23.34″ W.

Arribes del Duero Natural Park

Fascinating Spain — Thu, 6 Feb 2025 12:49:15 +0100

The Arribes del Duero Natural Park extends across 106,105 hectares in the west of the provinces of Zamora and Salamanca, delimiting part of the border between Spain and Portugal.

The main attraction of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park is the extensive series of canyons and cliffs carved into the granite of the area.

Duero riverbed is the main axis of this area, which is complemented by other tributary rivers such as the Huebra, the Uces, the Tormes, the Águeda and the Esla.

The flow of the Duero is used for hydroelectric purposes. Along its course there are numerous reservoirs and dams that, as a whole, are used for hydroelectric purposes. These are called "Saltos del Duero".

With more than 120 kilometres of extension and reaching heights of several hundred metres in some of its points, it constitutes the most extensive group of canyons in all of Spain.

The diversity of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park is spectacular, as can be seen in places such as Paraje de Ambasaguas (where the rivers Tormes and Duero meet), the Peña Gorda rock, or the Pozo de los Humos waterfall; a large waterfall nearly 200 metres high.

Vegetation and fauna

In addition, the Arribes del Duero Natural Park has an extensive historical and cultural heritage in the urban area of the very interesting Fermoselle.

The vegetation of the Arribes del Duero is made up of juniper, gall oak, holm oak and cork oak forests. Along with them, there are species of the Mediterranean climate that are rare in these latitudes, such as vines, olive and almond trees.

The whole area is a nesting ground for birds of prey such as Bonelli's and golden eagles, vultures, Egyptian vultures, peregrine falcons and eagle owls. Among the most frequent mammals, there are communities of otter, marten, fox or wild boar.

Hiking and access

The whole of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park is very popular among hikers. Among the signposted trails that run through it, several sections of the GR-14 (Douro Trail) and the Arribes Greenway, between La Fregeneda and Barca d'Alba, in Portugal, stand out. Cycling and some water activities are also frequent.

From the city of Salamanca, the SA-300 road goes to the park through Ledesma and the C-517 goes via Vitigudino. On the other hand, from the capital of Zamora the C-527 road reaches the aforementioned Fermoselle, located within the territory of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park.

Some recommendations for eating and sleeping around Arribes del Duero

Province of Salamanca

In Lumbrales

Restaurante El Rincón Charro

Bar-Restaurante Florida

Restaurante Apartadero II

In Sobradillo

Restaurante La Tinaja

In Vitigudino

Restaurante El Trinquete

Restaurante La Viña

Province of Zamora

In Bermillo de Sayago

Restaurante Amadeus

Restaurante Sayago

In Fermoselle

Restaurante Casa Mati

Posada de Doña Urraca

Province of Salamanca

In Lumbrales

Casa Rural Julia

Hotel-Casa Rural La Antanilla

Casa Rural El Teso

In Pereña de la Ribera

Camping El Balcón de las Arribes

In Sobradillo

Casa Rural El Mirador de las Arribes

In Vitigudino

Hostal La Viña

Casa Rural Antonio

Province of Zamora

In Cibanal de Sayago

Camping Los Arribes

In Fermoselle

Hostal Casa Mati

Casa Rural Antiguo Casino de los Arribes

Casa Rural La Casa del Regidor

Province of Salamanca

Cruceros Fluviales El Corazón de las Arribes(Aldeadávila)

Rutas en Todoterreno El Arribito (Aldeadávila)

Cruceros Fluviales La Barca (Vilvestre)

Province of Zamora

Turismo Activo Ricobayo Natural (Ricobayo del Alba)

Turismo Activo Aliste y Sayago (Villalcampo)

Province of Salamanca

Casa del Parque El Torreón de Sobradillo. Plaza Castrillo, 58. Sobradillo. Salamanca. Spain. Phone: 923 522 048. GPS coordinates 40º 55′ 8.02” N – 6º 47′ 52.65” W.

Province of Zamora

Casa del Parque Convento de San Francisco. C/ San Juan, 89. Fermoselle. Zamora. Spain. Phone: 980 614 021. GPS coordinates 41º 18′ 59.61” N – 6º 23′ 49.95” W.

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park

Fascinating Spain — Wed, 5 Feb 2025 12:22:22 +0100

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park was created in 1995. Its 14,119 hectares make this unique National Park of Catalonia one of the most representative natural areas of the community. In addition, it has a peripheral area of special protection covering more than 26,000 hectares.

Formed by the valleys of the Rivers Sant Nicolau and Escrita, water is the main protagonist of an area full of lakes, meanders, waterfalls and peat bogs from the aforementioned rivers and their tributaries. With all the attraction and natural diversity typical of the Pyrenees, the park's main tourist attractions are the Sant Maurici pond and the Aigüestortes meadow. The first is a huge stretch of water with easy access from the River Escrita, which is protected by the imposing presence of the Serra dels Encantats, at an altitude of 2,747 metres. For its part, the Aigüestortes meadow (Aguas Tortuosas in Spanish) is a large plain pierced by the sinuous meanders of the Sant Nicolau Riveru.

Vegetation and fauna

The flora of the Aigüestortes park is mainly composed of black pine, oak, ash and beech forests. Its fauna also responds to the characteristics of the high Pyrenean mountains, finding among its most representative species the capercaillie, the golden eagle, the bearded vulture, the wild boar or the roe deer.

Hiking and access

The maximum height of the Aigüestortes Park is 2,982 metres from the Peguera peak. All the land of Aiguestortes Park has a wide and well-defined network of paths. The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici park itself organises excursions and occasional activities.

Most common accesses to the Aigüestortes park are from the towns of Pont de Suert, Boí and Espot. The most common way to get there is by car, and for this purpose free car parks have been set up at the main entrances to welcome the large number of visitors from all over Spain and France. Another option is to get there by bus, taking one of the lines that operate from the surrounding towns.

Some recommendations for eating and sleeping around the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici Park

In Barruera

Restaurante El Ventador

Restaurante La Llebreta

In Boí

Restaurante La Cabana

Restaurante La Taverneta

Restaurante Ca la Pepa

In Coll

Restaurante Casa Peiró

In El Pont de Suert

Restaurante Mesón del Remei

Restaurante Casa Prades

Restaurante Ca Milieta

In Erill la Vall

Restaurante La Plaça

In Espot

Restaurante Juquim

Restaurante La Llupia

Restaurante L’Avet de Sant Maurici

In Pla de l’Ermita

Restaurante Sant Quirze

Restaurante Karpanta

In Tahull

Restaurante El Caliu

Restaurante El Fai

In Barruera

Hotel Farré d’Aball

Casa Rural Hortal

Casa Rural La Comella

Casa Rural Coll

In Boí

Hotel Pey

Apartamentos Arenys de Boí

Apartamentos La Peguera

Camping Taüll

In Caldes de Boí

Hotel Caldas

Hotel Manantial

In Cardet

Casa Rural Torellola

Casa Farré

In Coll

Hotel Casa Peiró

In El Pont de Suert

Hotel Flor de Neu

Hotel Cotori

Hotel Mestre

Camping Can Roig

Camping Del Remei

Camping Alta Ribagorça

In Erill la Vall

Hostal La Plaça

Casa Rural Pernalle

Casa Rural L’Era de ferro

In Espot

Hotel Saurat

Hotel Roca Blanca

Hotel Roya

Camping Sol i Neu

Camping La Mola

Camping Voraparc

In Pla de l’Ermita

Hotel Boí Taüll Resort

Hotel El Bouquet

Apartamentos Pleta Bona

In Tahull

Hotel El Rantiner

Hotel El Xalet de Taüll

Casa Rural Ca de Corral

Association of National Park Guides and Interpreters

Casa del Parque Nacional en Boí. C/ de les Graireres, 2. Lleida. Spain. Phone: +34 973.69.61.89. Coordinates GPS approx. 42º 31′ 19.67″ N – 0º 50′ 0.06″ E.

Casa del Parque Nacional en Espot. C/ de Sant Maurici, 5. Lleida. Spain. Phone: +34 973.62.40.36. Coordinates GPS approx. 42º 34′ 33″ N – 1º 5′ 16.63″ E.

Peñón de Ifach, breathing the Mediterranean at the edge of the world

Fascinating Spain — Tue, 4 Feb 2025 12:33:04 +0100

The Peñón de Ifach Natural Park, declared as such in 1987, is one of the most unique places on the Mediterranean coast. Its 47 hectares of land make the Peñón de Ifach one of the smallest protected areas in Spain, which does not prevent it from being one of the most visited in the Valencian Community.

It is a 332 metre high promontory that rises up in front of the city of Calpe and is linked to it by a narrow natural isthmus. Its mere presence causes a considerable visual impact. In addition, its profile gives shape to one of the most picturesque images of the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The Peñón de Ifach offers beautiful views from its summit; which, on the clearest days, reach as far as the island of Formentera. The Peñón de Ifach was inhabited in past times, and from this human presence some archaeological remains can be seen, such as those of the Roman site of Baños de la Reina. Nearby are also the salt lagoon of the Salinas de Calpe as well as the port and beaches of that town.

Fauna and vegetation

Peñón de Ifach has a remarkable natural diversity. This is concentrated in a small space that makes its vegetation one of its most precious gems. The higher altitudes are covered by rocky species; giving way to a bush and forest population as lower altitudes are reached. A large number of endemic floral species can also be found in the area. Birds are the most notable animal community in the park. Among the nesting and wandering species of the Peñón de Ifach are colonies of gull, cormorant, kestrel and Eleanora's falcon. Its great variety of insects and reptiles stands out. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you bring binoculars to observe them; as well as suitable footwear and a hat for the common sun in this part of Spain.

Hiking and access to the Peñón de Ifach

The ascent to the Peñón de Ifach can be done on foot following a signposted route that, starting from the park's public car park, reaches the summit passing by several viewpoints, archaeological remains and other points of scenic, natural and cultural interest.

The city of Calpe is the only access point to the Peñón de Ifach by land. To reach it you can take the N - 332 road or the A - 7 motorway, through the Benisa and Altea exits.

Cabo de Gata – Níjar Natural Park

Fascinating Spain — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 11:30:44 +0100

The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park is the first protected maritime-terrestrial area in Andalusia. The 49,512 hectares of Cabo de Gata separate the city of Almería from the different localities that make up the municipality of Níjar (the largest in Spain).

Rugged and dry landscape, mostly of volcanic origin, is located on the foothills of Sierra de Gata, a mountain range that runs parallel to the coastline, giving rise to a series of great cliffs that drop sharply down to the sea.

At the foot of these elevations are the picturesque beaches, coves and inlets that have made Cabo de Gata famous as a paradisiacal destination for bathers and hikers from Spain and abroad.

Climate and terrain

The uniqueness of Cabo de Gata comes from its climate and terrain. It has a dry climate and a lack of winter weather, while its soils are not very fertile.

However, the LLanos de la Cañada and Níjar area is the only protected geographical indication for tomatoes in Spain; Tomate de la Cañada. This tomato has special characteristics and is consumed throughout Europe. However, these apparently adverse conditions end up shaping a terrain of contrasts; with a very rich ecological diversity that make it one of the main natural areas of the western Mediterranean.

Among the main places of scenic interest in Cabo de Gata are the beautiful beaches of Los Genoveses, Las Negras, Agua Amarga or Monsul; cliffs and ravines such as Punta de los Muertos or Mesa Roldán and viewpoints such as La Isleta del Moro or Las Sirenas (near the lighthouse and the Castle of San Francisco de Paula).

Arrecife de las Sirenas. | Wikimedia

Vegetation and fauna

Cabo de Gata also has an active ecosystem of salt marshes with great ornithological attractions. Due to its strategic position at the south-easternmost point of the peninsula, Cabo de Gata is an important transit point for birds on their migration to Africa. Here you can find species such as the cormorant, Bonelli's eagle, the wild olive tree and the flamingo; which is very present in the salt flats.

Its vegetation is conditioned by the aridity of its soils, which produce species such as Periploca laevigata and jujube; as well as others such as mastic, Chamaerops and hawthorn.

Hiking and access

Cabo de Gata is traversed by an extensive network of paths that run along inland and coastal routes such as Los Genoveses, Mesa Roldán and Requema. Various companies offer the possibility of active tourism activities such as diving, kayaking, horse riding and cycling routes.

Access to the park is easy from Almería, passing through Retamar and then taking the Al - 3115 road; which leads to the interior of Cabo de Gata. There is also the possibility of travelling by bus to some of the municipalities in the park; such as San José, Rodalquilar, Las Negras or Isleta del Moro.

La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

Fascinating Spain — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 10:16:48 +0200

La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone covers a total of 15,309 hectares of land that make up the best preserved volcanic landscape in Spain and one of the most important in Europe. It was recognized in 1982.

La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park extends around the Olot plain and protects a total of 40 volcanic cones and a score of basaltic lava flows settled on an attractive pre-Pyrenean landscape in which forests, crops, pastures and small human settlements alternate. In La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone, the contrast between the green and ochre tones of its forests and the black and reddish colours of its volcanic lands stands out, among which there are some points of special geological value such as the cones of Croscat, Santa Margarita, Montscopa and Sant Marc or the lava flows of Sant Joan de les Fonts or Castellfollit de la Roca. One of its most emblematic places is the Fageda d'en Jordà, a famous beech forest immortalised by the poet Joan Maragall, which stands on one of the best Iberian examples of lava casts on blocks.

Vegetation and fauna in La Garrotxa

The predominant vegetation in the area of the volcanoes of La Garrotxa are masses of holm oak, beech and oak. On its terrain there are several forests of special interest such as the oak forests of La Moixina and Tosca or the beech forests of La Salut and La Fageda d'en Jordà. In addition, it is very common in La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone the proliferation of cultivation on terraces, especially of fodder and cereal. The Parc de la Garrotxa has an interesting fauna diversity. Within the park of the volcanoes of La Garrotxa appear communities of wild boar, roe deer, fox or wild cat, in the case of mammals, and goshawk, kite, owl or short-toed eagle in the case of birds. In addition, a large number of amphibians and reptiles are found in the Parc de la Garrotxa.

Hiking and access

Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park The Garrotxa Volcanoes Park has nearly 30 signposted itineraries that lead visitors through its main places of interest. It has infrastructures that have been conditioned as recreational and rest areas or several paid parking areas..

The city of Olot is the main point of access to the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone. It can be reached via the N-260 and A-26 roads and once there it is convenient to take the GI-524, which goes into the protected area.

Some recommendations to eat and sleep in the surroundings of Garrotxa Volcanic Zone

In Santa Pau

Restaurant Cal Sastre

Restaurant Can Rafelic

Can Xel Restaurant

Restaurant Portal del Mar

In Sant Esteve d’en Bas

Restaurant Sant Miquel

Restaurant La Casilla

In Sant Feliu de Pallerols

Restaurant El Traiter

L’Estació Restaurant

Restaurant Fonda Finet

In Olot

Ramón Restaurant

Restaurant La Deu

La Quinta Justa Restaurant

Restaurant Les Cols

In Santa Pau

Hotel Cal Sastre

Hotel Can Menció

Casa Rural Can Batlle

Casa Rural Ca l’Esteve

Camping Ecològic Lava

Camping Mas Patxet

In Sant Esteve d’en Bas

Casa Rural Collomer Cullell

In Sant Feliu de Pallerols

Fonda Finet

Casa Rural Can Mau

Casa Rural El Contaller

In Olot

Riu Olot Hotel

Hotel Borrel

Hotel Can Blanc

L’Estació Hotel

Camping Les Tries

Camping La Fagueda

Horse Rides Aventures a Cavall (Besalú)

Balloon Rides Vol de Coloms (Santa Pau)

Segway Aventuranatura (Santa Pau)

Active Tourism A Peu (Santa Pau)

Natura i Màgia Active Tourism (Sant Feliu de Pallerols)

Active Tourism En Ruta Girona (Sant Jaume de Llierca)

Cycling Routes Centro Logístico de Bicicletas (Olot)

Museu dels Volcans (Av. Santa Coloma, s/n. Olot. Girona. Spain. Phone: 972 268 112. Coordinates GPS approx. 42º 10′ 16.34″ N – 2º 28′ 48.48″ E)

Can Serrá (Ctra. Olot – Santa Pau, km. 4. Girona. Spain. Phone: 972 195 074. Coordinates GPS approx. 42º 9′ 17.76″ N – 2º 30′ 57.87″ E)

Can Jordà (Ctra. Olot – Santa Pau. Km. 4,5. Girona. Spain. Phone: 972 264 666. Coordinates GPS approx. 42º 8′ 39.16″ N – 2º 30′ 39.8″ E)

Can Passavent (Volcán del Croscant. Girona. Spain. Phone: 972 195 094. Coordinates GPS approx. 42º 9′ 20.8″ N – 2º 32′ 27.02″ E)

Sierra de Gredos Regional Park

Fascinating Spain — Fri, 3 Apr 2020 13:26:17 +0200

Sierra de Gredos Regional Park is located in the south of the province of Ávila.

Sierra de Gredos is an impressive granite massif that rises in the middle of the Central System mountain range. In 1996 the Spanish Government decided to protect a total of 86,397 hectares of its area.

All over this “roof of Castile and stony heart of Spain” —as Miguel de Unamuno said— there are many natural features of its high mountain ground.

The 2,592 metres of the Almanzor Peak is the highest point in the community of Castile and Leon. Below it, there are heights like the 2,568 metres of the Galana Peak or the 2,391 of El Morezón.

Another of the great charms of Sierra de Gredos Park are its lakes. The most popular ones are those called 'del Barco', 'la Galana' and 'los Caballeros'. The most liked is, especially, 'Laguna Grande'. It is located in the middle of Circo de Gredos (Gredos glacial cirque) and at the foot of the Almanzor Peak. This is the main tourist attraction of the park.

Vegetation and fauna

The extensive woodland of Sierra de Gredos Park extends up to 1,500 metres in height as pine, oak and gall oak forests. Higher up, these species are gradually replaced by bush vegetation typical of the high mountains.

Among its fauna, the Iberian ibex stands out, perhaps the most representative animal species of the mountain range (and one of the most valued hunting trophies in Europe).

Other species with presence in Sierra de Gredos Park are otters, wildcats, shrews, imperial eagles, black storks, Egyptian vultures, cinereous vultures, goshawks or Eurasian sparrowhawks.

Hiking and access

Sierra de Gredos Park is more than suitable for all kinds of active tourism activities such as mountaineering, climbing, hiking, horseback riding, cycling or ski touring. There are several active tourism companies that provide these activities in and around the Sierra de Gredos Park.

The most common accesses to Sierra de Gredos Park are from the N-110 road, which links the cities of Ávila and Plasencia, or from the N - 502, between Ávila and Talavera de la Reina.

The AV - 931 road, from Hoyos del Espino, leads to the Plataforma de Gredos, an extensive car park at an altitude of 1,750 metres, which is also one of the main entrances to the park.

Nearby are towns of historical and landscape interest that are worth visiting. This is the case of Barco de Ávila, Arenas de San Pedro, Candeleda, Mombeltrán and Piedrahita.

Recommendations on where to eat and where to sleep near Sierra de Gredos

In Arenas de San Pedro

El Bodegón de Gredos Restaurant

La Ardilla del Roble Restaurant

In Barco de Ávila

El Fogón del Barco Restaurant

Bellavista Restaurant

In Candeleda

Los Carretero Restaurant

Mesón Jara

In Hoyos del Espino

La Galana Restaurant

La Mira de Gredos Restaurant

In Arenas de San Pedro

Posada del Infante Hotel

Casa Carmela Hotel

In Barco de Ávila

Izan Puerta de Gredos Hotel

In Candeleda

Nabia Hotel

El Camino Spa Country House

In Guisando

El Bosque de la Herrezuela Hotel

In Hoyos del Espino

Cuarto de Milla Hotel

El Milano Real Hotel

Gredos Camping

In Navalonguilla

La Guilera Camping

In Navarredonda de Gredos

Nava Gredos Camping

Gredos Ecuestre Horse Riding (Arenas de San Pedro)

La Peña del Toro Horse Riding (Candeleda)

Gredos a Caballo Horse Riding (Hoyos del Espino)

AMN Active Tourism (Hoyos del Espino)

Escuela Alpina de Gredos Mountain Guides (Hoyos del Espino)

Gredos Guides Active Tourism (San Martín del Pimpollar)

Casa del Parque El Risquillo. Paraje El Risquillo. Guisando. Spain. Phone: +34 920 374 055. GPS coordinates aprox. 40º 13′ 15.26″ N – 5º 8′ 37.34″ W.

Casa del Parque Pinos Cimeros. Carretera de la Plataforma, AV – 931, km. 0,2. Hoyos del Espino. Spain. Phone: +34 920 349 204. GPS coordinates aprox. 40º 20’ 46,5’’ N – 05º 10’ 31,1’ W.

Fascinating lakes in Castile La Mancha to enjoy this summer

Fascinating Spain — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 13:06:42 +0100

Who says nature can only be enjoyed in summer? Castile La Mancha has beautiful landscapes to enjoy anytime of the year. Find out next five lakes you cannot miss in this region of Spain.

Lagunas de Ruidera

The Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park is a protected area and one of the most important wetlands in Castile La Mancha. It was founded in 1979 and declared as Biosphere Reserve. Its lakes are connected by waterfalls. All of them are between Ciudad Real and Albacete.

Blanca, Conceja, Tomilla, Tinaja, Redondilla and Salvadora are some of the lakes in Castile La Mancha you should go. Some of them are more crowded than others. Furthermore, the popular Cueva de Montesinos (Montesinos’ cove), where Don Quijote spent a night, is located in the area. Swimming is allowed in most of them so, if you are brave enough, dare to swim in the cold water!

Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park.| Luis Fernandaez

Lagunas de Villafranca de los Caballeros, Toledo

This Biosphere Reserve is located between Madridejos and Alcázar de San Juan, in Toledo. The Lagunas de Villafranca de los Caballeros are formed by the Laguna Grande and Laguna Chica y Salare. The first one is perfect for swimming in summer. However, the second one is perfect to observe dozens of bird species flying over the landscape.

Villafranca de los Caballeros lakes.

Tablas de Daimiel, Ciudad Real

Founded in 1973 and protected as Natural Park, the lakes of Las Tablas de Daimiel are a place to visit. Located in Ciudad Real, they are one of the most important wetlands of the Iberian Peninsula.

In addition to the amazing views, you can also distinguish the infinity number of bird species (some of them uniques in Europe). The over-exploitation of aquiferous is causing its extinction step by step. So, harry up if you want to enjoy it!

Tablas de Daimiel lakes.

Laguna del Tobar, Cuenca

In the region of the Alto Tajo, in Cuenca, is located the Laguna del Tobar. It is surrounded by pine groves and beautiful villages. The place where you will enjoy a whole day in the heart of nature. There you can go hiking or cycling and enjoy the views.

El Tobar lakes.

Pozas de Marte, Guadalajara

These lakes also known as Cascadas de Aljibe (Waterfalls of Aljibe) are located in Guadalajara. Nestling in the Sierra de Ayllón, two perfect circular lakes have formed in the landscape. Would you like to visit them?

Waterfalls of Aljibe.

Sanabria Lake Natural Park

Fascinating Spain — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 12:49:46 +0100

The Sanabria Lake Natural Park includes 23,365 hectares in the westernmost part of the province of Zamora.

It was created by the Spanish Government in 1978, although it already had some protection since the 1940s.

The Sanabria Lake Natural Park is a vast glacial landscape where there are cirques, valleys, moraines and lakes from ancient times.

The whole area is located around the Sanabria Lake, that is the biggest lake of glacial origin in Spain. It has an extension of 318 hectares and a maximum depth of 53 metres.

The lake of Sanabria has several beaches and it is the main tourist attraction of the area since bathing is allowed. The main river basin of the area is that of the Tera river. It forms on its route a narrow gorge of a great landscape value that goes to other points of interest such as the waterfall of the Ninfas or the cave of San Martín.

Among its cultural values, it is worth to mention the Romanesque monastery of Santa María and the beautiful Medieval city centre of Puebla de Sanabria, located 12 km far from the park.

Vegetation and fauna

The oak tree is the plant species predominant in the park, although there are also other species such as the ash, the willow, the chestnut tree and the holly tree. On high heights there is thicket typical of the mountain.

The water of Sanabria Lake is filled with trouts, much appreciated by fishing enthusiasts. The park has numerous specimens of otter, roe deer, wild boar, golden eagle, peregrine falcon or eagle owl. One of its most representative animal is the wolf.

Hiking and how to get there

The Sanabria Lake is also a leisure centre during the warmest months. In addition to bathing in summer, canoeing and pedaloing are permitted. There are also activities such as the navigation on board of an aeolic-solar Catamaran.

There is a network of trails formed by different paths that route the most interesting nooks of the area. Some of them are the Senda de los Monjes, that has really good views to the lake, the Cañón del Tera and Cueva de San Martín or Las Lagunas de Carros y Sotillo.

The most common access to the Sanabria Lake is from the road A-52 (that joins Madrid with Vigo) taking the diversion towards the ZA-104 in Puebla de Sanabria. The Sanabria Lake has public car parks. You can also get to the surrounding villages by public transport.

Recommendations on where to eat and where to sleep around

In Cobreros

El Pico del Fraile restaurant

In Puebla de Sanabria

Plaza de Armas restaurant

Mesón Abelardo restaurant

La Cartería restaurant

In Ribadelago

Don Pepe restaurant

César restaurant

El Majo restaurant

In San Martín de Castañeda

El Recreo restaurant

El Balcón del Lago restaurant

La Terraza

In Trefacio

El Sendero del Agua restaurant

In Cobreros

El Pico del Fraile inn

In Galende

El Ruso hostel

In Porto

Porto hotel

In Puebla de Sanabria

Parador de Puebla de Sanabria

Posada de las Misas hotel

Posada La Pascasia holiday cottages

La Cartería Posada

La Hoja de Roble holiday cottages

Isla de Puebla camping

In Ribadelago

Don Pepe hotel

César hostel

Los Robles camping

In San Martín de Castañeda

El Balcón del Lago hotel

El Recreo holiday cottages

In Sotillo de Sanabria

Entre Acebos holiday cottages

In Trefacio

El Sendero del Agua hotel

El Rincón de Trefacio holiday cottages

In Vigo de Sanabria

El Folgoso camping

Catamaran Helios Cousteau (Lago de Sanabria)

Horseback riding Sanabria a Caballo (Pedrazales de Sanabria)

Active tourism Trades Aventura (Zamora)

Casa del Parque. Monasterio de Santa María, Plaza de la Iglesia s/n. San Martín de Castañeda. Zamora. Spain. Phone: +34 980 621 595. GPS coordinates GPS 42º 8′ 7,20″ N – 6º 43′ 12,95″ W)

Urkiola Natural Park

Fascinating Spain — Fri, 7 Feb 2020 11:08:59 +0100

Urkiola Natural Park occupies 5,768 hectares between the provinces of Vizcaya and Álava. It is a protected area of the Spanish Government since 1989 and includes the mountains of Duranguesado and the mountains of Aramontz and Aragio.

This area situated on the dividing line between Cantabrian and Mediterranean waters has its main axis in the port of Urkiola.

Its section is abrupt rather than low since its highest peak is located in the mountain of limestone Anboto at 1,337 meters height. This fact contribute to the appearance of diverse karstic landscapes throughout its geography.

The valleys of the lower areas are flanked by rough slopes full of ravines and cliffs that descend from the ridges of their highest heights. This place has several associated legends such as the one that places the home of the pre-Christian Basque goddess Mari in a cave located on top of the Anboto mountain. The human exploitation of these lands throughout history has focused on mining and agricultural activities.

Patrimonial highlights include the sanctuary of Urkiola or Santos Antonios, where San Antonio Abad and San Antonio de Padua were consecrated. As fun fact, Urkiola marks the geographical centre of the Basque Country and the line that divides the waters of the Cantabrian Sea and those of the Mediterranean passes through its roof.

Vegetation and fauna

The beech forest is the main forest in the Urkiola Natural Park, although there are several examples of holly oak or birch (urkia in Basque). In addition, the orchid limodorumabortivun, that it is not very frequent in this area, grows there. Livestock farming makes possible the presence of mares, sheep and cows in the meadows of Urkiola.

Urkiola Natural Park has many animal species such as the Falco peregrinus, the griffon vulture, Egyptian vulture, goshawk, sparrowhawk. As mammals, there are examples of wildcat, marten and polecat.

Fuente: Turismo Durango

Hiking and how to get there

There are several hiking trails signposted. There are divided into two different parts. Those that goes through the Urkiola pass and those going along the Desfiladero de Atxarte.

The road B-623 (between Durango and Otxandio towards Vitoria-Gasteiz) cross the park from north to the south through the Urkiola pass.

Recommendations on where to eat and where to sleep around

Province of Biscay

In Abadiño – Abadiano

Bizkarra restaurant

Landajuela restaurant

Ostendi restaurant

Taberna Zarra restaurant

Santuario de Urkiola restaurant

In Durango

Barria restaurant

Kukutze restaurant

Gorrotxa restaurant

Txantonesa restaurant

Province of Álava

In Aramaio–Aramayona

Sidrería Iturrieta restaurant

Unzueta restaurant

Dukiena restaurant

Añai restaurant

Province of Biscay

In Abadiño – Adadiano

San Blas hotel

Zelaieta hotel

Santuario de Urkiola hotel

Buenos Aires holiday cottage

MuruetaBaseria holiday cottage

In Durango

Gran Durango hotel

Kurutziaga hotel

O Camiño hotel

Juego de Bolos hostal

Province of Álava

In Aramaio – Aramayona

Uxarte holiday cottage

Etxebarri holiday cottage

Muru holiday cottage

Active tourism and rural development Alluiz Natura (Abadiño)

Interpretation centre Toki – Alai. Puerto de Urkiola, s/n. Carretera BI-623. Phone: +34 946 814 155. GPS coordinates. 43º 6′ 3.29″ N – 2º 38′ 46.4″ W)

Cañón del Río Lobos Natural Park

Fascinating Spain — Fri, 7 Feb 2020 10:48:45 +0100

The Cañón del Río Lobos Natural Park takes up 9,580 hectares and it is about 25 kilometers long.

It forms a kind of axis that consists of some lands from the northwest of the Province of Soria and the south west of Burgos.

It is located in a low height mountain range in the middle of the northern third of Spain, delimiting an imaginary border between the Cantabrian Mountains and the highest part of the Duero plain.

The Cañón del Río Lobos Natural Park is mainly made up of a big limestone canyon that has been formed through the centuries by the effect of the river on the stone. The continual action works in two different ways: erosion and dissolution.

This latter is the one that has changed the landscape more gracefully. It has formed attractive concavities whose colours are due to the minerals that contain the water and the rock in the wall interior flanks. The Natural Park Cañón del Río Lobos is found in a rugged terrain that increases the beauty of the location.

Vegetation and fauna

Related to its flora, its most representative tree is the Juniperus thurifera, but there are also pine groves, Portuguese oak or Valencian oak, holm oaks, black poplars and willows. The volume of the river is in some stretches filled with water lilies and other floating plants.

The fauna of the Cañón del Río Lobos Natural Park is usually not visible during the daylight hours as there is no much space to hide in the narrow canyon. There are roe deers, wildboars, foxes, hares (sometimes you can also see squirrels). We recommend you to take binoculars since in its crags inhabit griffon vultures, eagles, common kestrels and peregrine falcons. It is easy to see them flying or in their nests.

Hiking and how to get there

There are several marked itineraries to walk around the Cañón del Río Lobos Natural Park such as the Sendero Ibérico Soriano, the Ruta del Río (that cover the canyon following the riverbed) or the Ruta de las Gullurías.

Furthermore, the Natural Park has inside or in the outskirts important heritage actives like the castle of Ucero and the chapel of San Bartoolomé (linked to the Templars). In the village of Ucero is the cave of the Galiana Baja.

The south entrance to the Natural Park is located in the road SO-920 between Burgo De Osma and San Leonardo de Yagüe. We do not recommend the northern entrance because of the road signs. You should leave the car in the village of Hontoria del Pinar (Burgos) and go to the south.

A third option is the road SO-934 that crosses the park in the middle of its route, between the villages of Guijosa and San Leonardo de Yagüe.

Recommendations on where to eat and where to sleep around

Province of Burgos

In Hontoria del Pinar

El Chato restaurant

Province of Soria

In El Burgo de Osma

Virrey Palafox restaurant

Puente Real restaurant

Mesón Marcelino restaurant

In San Leonardo de Yagüe

Mesón el Portalón restaurant

Mesón San Blas restaurant

Asador Don Rodrigo restaurant

In Santa María de las Hoyas

Las Hoyas restaurant

Los Girasoles restaurant

In Ucero

La Parrilla de San Bartolo restaurant

El Balcón del Cañón restaurant

Province of Burgos

In Hontoria del Pinar

El Chato hostel

Entrada Río Lobos holiday cottage

La Casa del Médico holiday cottage

In Casarejos

Posada Real de Carreteros holiday cottage

El Carrascal holiday cottage

In El Burgo de Osma

Río Ucero hotel

Virrey hotel

Termal hotel

In San Leonardo de Yagüe

Manrique de Lara hotel

Torres hostel

Villa de San Leonardo holiday cottage

In Santa María de las Hoyas

Las Hoyas holiday cottage

El Arreñal holiday cottage

In Ucero

Posada de los Templarios holiday cottage

Mari Carmen - La Makila holiday cottage

Lobo rural apartments

Cañón del Río Lobos camping

Soriaventura active tourism (Soria)

Casa del Parque Natural. Carretera SO-920 Km. 16. Ucero. Soria. Spain. Phones 975 376 590 / 975 363 564. GPS coordinates. 41º 43′ 0.67″ N – 3º 3′ 3.77″ W.

Alto Ebro and Rudrón gorges

Fascinating Spain — Thu, 6 Feb 2020 12:29:59 +0100

Lying in the northwest of the province of Burgos, the Natural Park of Alto Ebro and Rudrón gorges has 45.767 hectares of protected area since it was declared as Natural Park by the Spanish government in 2008.

Through the riverbeds of the rivers Rudrón and Ebro, the park is formed by a characteristic succession of deep canyons and narrow gorges caused by the effect of water and winter over this limestone during the last centuries.

Around the canyons, that in certain sections are even 200 metres height, extend wide moors that sometimes led to impressive viewpoints towards the landscape of the park.

Within the borders of the protected areas, there are several elements of natural interest such as the waterfall of Fuente de Orbaneja, the karastic spring of Pozo Azul in Covanera or the Cueva del Moro. In this latter, the Rudrón river resurfaces after having sunk underground in a previous section of its course.

Vegetation and fauna

There are a wide range of vegetation in the area. Elements from the mediterranean and atlantic climate are mixed with those of the north of Spain such as the holm oak, the beech tree, the gall oak, the willow and the black poplar.

The huge rocky places of its cliffs are a perfect ecosystem to many cliff-nesting birds such as the imperial eagle, the Bonelli’s eagle, the griffon vulture, the eagle owl and the peregrine falcon.

Furthermore, in the mountain areas of northern Spain are mammals such as the roe deer, the badger, the Pyrenean desman and the otter. The quantity of amphibians and reptiles that populate the Alto Ebro and Rudrón gorges is also remarkable.

Fuente: Turismo Castilla y León

Hiking and how to get there

The major attraction for hikers and cyclists is a signposted route through the Ebro gorge. Along the Rudrón river you can cover the plots of its upper reaches or visiting its several attractions such as the Pozo Azul, the Mirador de Moradillo del Castillo or the emergence of its riverbed.

The road N-623 covers the Natural Park of the Alto Ebro gorges from north to south, crossing several municipalities such as Valdelateja or Covanera and leaving behind some secondary branches that go into other points of interest. The protected area is also bordered by roads N-232 to the north and N-627 to the south.

Once there, you may also consider visiting the beautiful nearby towns of Medina de Pomar, Frías and Briviescas.

Some recommendations on where to eat and where to sleep around

In Covanera

Rudrón restaurant

In Tubilla del Agua

La Terraza restaurant

In Pesquera de Ebro

Mesón del Cañón restaurant

Arco restaurant

In Sedano

Molino de Sedano restaurant

In Valdelateja

Santa Centola carvery restaurant

In Covanera

Los Tilos holiday cottage

In Sedano

El Molino de Sedano holiday cottage

In Valdelateja

Valdelateja holiday cottage

Valle del Rudrón holiday cottage

Spa hotel of Valdelateja

Tourist office of Sedano. Sedano City Council. Sedano. Burgos. Spain. Phone: +34 947 150 172. GPS coordinates GPS. 42º 43′ 2.45″ N – 3º 44′ 57.29″ W).

Valle del Sedano “Miguel Delibes” Interpretation Centre. Sedano. Burgos. Spain. Phone: +34 947 150 103. GPS coordinates GPS. 42º 43′ 2.45″ N – 3º 44′ 57.29″ W).

Las Médulas: a fascinating Roman gold mine

Fascinating Spain — Thu, 6 Feb 2020 12:10:37 +0100

Las Médulas is a natural environment that is considered one of the most singular in Spain.

Therefore, it was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997 and Natural Monument in 2002.

Originally Las Médulas were a mining site. Considered the biggest gold mine built by the Roman Empire, it was abandoned in the 3rd century after extracting 800,000 kg gold.

Thereafter, the native vegetation began to gradually cover the hills of red sand. These hills were formed in Roman times by turning over the interior layers of the earth. Thus, they created galleries in which they injected pressurized water with which they crumbled the slopes of the mountains, bringing the mineral to the surface.

The result is an environment with a beautiful landscape in which the ground has been shaped over time in fanciful reddish formations that contrast with the green of the forest that partially cover them.

There are some spots of great beauty such as the lake of Carucedo (it is believed it was made up of stagnant water during mining) or the viewpoint of Orellán, from which you can get a good view of this peculiar environment of the province of León.

Vegetation and fauna

As architectural remains from its industrial and ethnographic past, you can visit the remains of the metallurgic village of Orellan. The vegetation mainly consists of forests of holm oaks, oaks, kermes oak and chestnut.

Regarding the fauna, there are mammals such as wild boars, wildcats, roe deers, rabbits or hares. There are also birds like the northern goshawk or the northern sparrowhawk.

imagen_castilla_y_leon_parque_natural_las_medulas

Hiking and how to get there

Hiking is very common in the Natural Park of Las Médulas. Through a series of signposted routes the visitor can go into most of its nooks. Some of these are the Senda Perimetral, Las Valiñas, Reirigo, Lago or Los Conventos. The Visitor Reception Centre, in the village of Las Médulas, organises guided tours upon request.

The road N-536 from Ponferrada come in the Natural Park through the municipality of Carucedo and crosses the town towards the province of Ourense. Once in the park, the path for heading Las Medulas is well signposted.

Recommendations on where to eat and where to sleep around

In Carucedo

La Parra restaurant

El Castro restaurant

El Lago restaurant

In Las Médulas

Medulio restaurant

Agoga restaurant

Durandarte restaurant

In Orellán

Palleiro do Pe do Forno restaurant

In Carucedo

Las Cabañas holiday cottage

La Peregrina hotel

In Las Médulas

Medulio hotel

Agoga holiday cottage

In Orellán

O Palleiro do pe do Forno holiday cottage

Louteiro House holiday cottage

El Lagar holiday cottage

Bierzonatura active tourism

La Vereda Berciana active tourism

Visitor Reception Centre. C/General, s/n. Las Médulas. León. Spain. Phone +34 987 420 708. GPS coordinates: 42º 27′ 26″ N – 6º 46′ 5″ W.

Archeological Centre of Las Médulas. Camino Yeres, s/n. Las Médulas. León. Spain. Phone: +34 986 422 848. GPS Coordinates: 42º 27′ 39.11″ N – 6º 46′ 5.15″ W.

Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park

Fascinating Spain — Wed, 5 Feb 2020 12:34:10 +0100

The Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, located in the heart of the Pyrenees in Huesca, was declared as National Park by the Government in 1918. It was extended to the current 15,608 hectares in 1982.

The park is formed by four valleys (Ordesa, Pineta, Añisclo and Escuaín) and the calcareous massif of Las Tres Sorores.

This one is at the same time formed by the hills Cilindro, Añisclo and the famous Monte Perdido (at 3,35 m, it is the highest point in the park).

Each of these valleys has its own characteristics, therefore it is a territory with great natural diversity. Thus, there you will find the rough Escuaín Gorges, the huge breach of Añisclo Canyon, the natural beauty of the circo de Pineta or the picturesque vignette of the Ordesa valley. This is the area with the best access and the highest visitor rate.

Vegetation and fauna

The Ordesa Park has a wide range of vegetal and animal species. The pine groves of scots pines, black pines, silver firs, beech trees or Portuguese oaks cohabit with several flower species such as the famous edelweiss.

In terms of fauna, there are several specimen of bearded vultures, golden eagles, capercaillies, Eurasian eagle-owls, barn owls, wildboars, chamoises and marmots. Marmots have a strong presence in the vicinity of the Cola de Caballo.

Hiking and how to get there

From the village of Torla there is an entrance to the meadow of Ordesa. It is usually the started point of the most popular route among the visitors. It follows the riverbed of Aranzas river, continuing by the Gradas de Soaso to the waterfall known as Cola de Caballo.

From Cola de Caballo the orography is rougher, so it is just recommended for the most prepared visitors.

Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park can be accessed from various points of interest. The most popular are Bielsa, Fanlo and Torla. A less frequented option is to go to Escalona, from where the road starts to the valleys of Añisclo and Escuaín.

Those who want to enter through the Pineta valley can consider the comfortable Bielsa as a place to eat. Those who choose the Ordesa valley should eat in the old stronghold of Torla.

During peak season (Holy Week, summer and bank holidays during Pilar festival), the access to the Ordesa Valley is only done by bus that came from Torla regularly. There is also in the village a large free car parking.

Furthermore, during this time of the year, the access road to Añisclo becomes a one-way entrance.

Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park | calafellvalo

Recommendations on where to eat and where to sleep around

La Pradera de Ordesa Coffee shop – Restaurant.

In Bielsa

Pineta restaurant

Bielsa hotel & restaurant

Valle de Pineta restaurant

La Fuen restaurant

In Broto

Pradas Ordesa restaurant

Las Endrinas restaurant

El Perdido bar & restaurant

Arazas restaurant

In Escalona

Revestido restaurant

In Laspuña

Casa Sidora restaurant

Alter&Nativa restaurant

In Sarvisé

Casa Frauca restaurant

In Torla

El Duende restaurant

La Brecha restaurant

Asador la Cocinilla restaurant

A’Borda Samper restaurant

Góriz refuge

In Bielsa

Parador de Bielsa

Bielsa hotel

Valle de Pineta hotel

Pochetas holiday cottages

Bielsa camping

Pineta camping

In Broto

Sorrosal hotel

Pradas hotel

La Posada hotel

El Mirador hotel

In Escalona

Cinca hotel

Revestido hotel

Casa Patricio hotel

In Fanlo

La Era de Satué holiday cottages

Pedro y Lourdes holiday cottages

In Laspuña

Casa Sidora hostel

Casa Cleto holiday cottages

Casa Sallán holiday cottages

In Oto

Oto camping

In Sarvisé

Hotel Casa Frauca hotel

Hotel Viña Oliván hotel

Casa Gallán holiday cottages

In Torla

Abetos hotel

Bujaruelo hotel

Ordesa hotel

Villa Russell hotel

Ordesa camping

Valle de Bujaruelo camping

San Antón camping

Baby carrier backpacks rental

Active tourism Aguas Blancas (Aínsa)

Active tourism Sports EKM (Aínsa)

Mountain guides Esquiruelo (Bielsa)

Ordiso active tourism (Biescas)

Casteret Explora active tourism (Broto)

Aventuras Pirenaicas active tourism (Broto)

Solomonte active tourism (Escalona)

Casa Blas horseback riding (Sarvisé)

Sarvisé horseback riding (Sarvisé)

Compañía de Guías de Torla mountain guides (Torla)

El Parador Visitor Center . Km 5 from Torla to the National Park. Torla. Huesca. Spain. Phone: +34 974 486 421. GPS coordinates 42º 39′ 16.66″ N – 0º 5′ 48.7″ W

El Molino o “Casa de la Bruja” Visitor Center (Tella. GPS coordinates 42º 34′ 28.4″ N – 0º 10′ 59.89″ E)

La Pradera information point (Pradera de Ordesa. GPS coordinates 42º 38′ 57.91″ N – 0º 3′ 36.33″ W)

Escalona information point (Carretera A-138, entrance of Valle de Añisclo)

Bielsa information point. Plaza España s/n. Bielsa. Huesca. Spain. Phone: +34 974 501 043. GPS coordinates 42º 38′ 0.32″ N – 0º 13′ 4.86″ E.

Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park

Fascinating Spain — Wed, 5 Feb 2020 12:14:39 +0100

The Sierra de Cazorla, located in the east of the province of Jaén, gives its name to the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. Its 214,300 hectares make it the largest protected area in Spain.

It was declared as Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO, forming a huge natural territory that stretches to the nearby Natural Parks of Sierra de Castril (Granada) and Calares del Río Mundo y de la Sima (Albacete).

The sierra de Cazorla is formed by a rough sequence of mid-altitude sierras that have their highest heights in the 2,107 meters of the hill of Las Empanadas or the peaks Cabañas and Yelmo, of 2,026 and 1,809 meters respectively.

The sierra de Cazorla has a rugged terrain with great drops, deep valleys, high walls and lush forests. Rivers such as Guadalquivir, Segura, Madera, Tus and Borosa begin to flow within this area.

Vegetation and fauna

The limestone rock that makes up most of the Sierra de Cazorla has undergone long erosive processes that have resulted in several examples of karstic landforms such as the Cerrada de Elías, the Toba, the waterfalls of Los Órganos and Chorro Gil or the cave of Las Maravillas. These minor sierras also house numerous forms of architectural and popular heritage.

Most of the protected area is dominated by holm oak, oak tree, maple tree and pine forests. By the side of the river, ashes, willows and black poplars. It is also important to mention the presence of several endemic species such as the Viola cazorlensis (Violeta de Cazorla).

The fauna of the park is the usual one in these latitudes. Large predators such as golden eagles, peregrine falcons or griffon vultures flight around. On the other hand, Iberian ibexes, foxes, wild boars, deers, roe deers, bucks or European mouflons roam freely through the forest.

Sierra de Cazorla.

Hiking and how to get there

Among the wide range of paths and marked itineraries that cover the Sierra de Cazorla, the most famous might be the one of the GR-247 “Bosques del Sur” (forest of the south), with an amount of 478 kilometres distributed into 21 stages. In general, the Sierra de Cazorla has suitable terrain for all kinds of mountain activities, hiking and even water sports (in the reservoir and some river courses).

The Sierra de Cazorla is located on a land that includes 24 municipalities. Some of these places have a great historical and architectural heritage such as Cazorla or Segura de la Sierra. The road N-322 between Úbeda and Albacete runs close, leaving several detours to the protected terrain.

Find out next some recommendations on where to sleep around Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Úbeda.

Recommendations on where to eat and where to sleep around

In Benatae

Mesón Peñalta restaurant

In Cazorla

Mesón Leandro restaurant

Mesón Don Chema restaurant

La Sarga restaurant

La Yedra restaurant

In La Puerta de Segura

Venta San José restaurant

Casa Paco restaurant

In Orcera

La Montería restaurant

Antonio restaurant

In Quesada

Asador Casa Luciano restaurant

El Curioso restaurant

In Santiago – Pontones

Mesón Escobar restaurant

San Fernando restaurant

Los Monteros restaurant

Mesón El Cortijo restaurant

In Segura de la Sierra

La Tiná restaurant

Mirador de Peñalta restaurant

La Mesa Segureña restaurant

El Mirador de Messía de Leiva restaurant

In Siles

Siles restaurant

Mesón La Serradora restaurant

In Torres de Albánchez

Mesón El Picardo restaurant

Zahara de los Olivos restaurant

In Benatae

El Serbal holiday cottages

In Cazorla

Cazorla tourist hotel

Ciudad de Cazorla hotel

Puerta de Cazorla hotel

Coto del Valle hotel

Puente de las Herrerías camping

San Isicio camping

In Coto-Ríos

La Chopera camping

Fuente de la Pascuala camping

Llanos de Arance camping

In Hinojares

Casería Fuentes hotel

Casas Cueva Cazorla holiday cottages

Tío Jose María holiday cottage

In Hornos de Segura

Montillana camping

In La Puerta de Segura

Los Yegüerizos holiday cottage

In Orcera

La Montería hotel

Cortillo la Julia holiday cottage

In Pozo Alcón

La Bolera camping

In Quesada

Sierra de Quesada hotel

Rural & Personal holiday cottages

In Santiago – Pontones

Río Zumeta inn

Mirasierra hotel

Refugio del Segura rural apartments

El Nacimiento holiday cottage

Las Cobachas holiday cottage

In Segura de la Sierra

Río Madera hotel

Morciguillinas hotel

Cortijo de Ramón holiday cottage

Los Huertos de Segura holiday cottage

Garrote Gordo camping

El Robledo camping

In Siles

Cruz hotel

Molino de Arriba hotel

Cortijo La Ajedrea holiday cottage

Fuente de la Canalica camping

Río Los Molinos camping

In Torres de Albánchez

Zahara de los Olivos hotel

Fuente de la Mujer holiday cottages

La Piedra holiday cottage

Cazorlaventur active tourism (Arroyo frío)

Olivair Flying paragliding (Beas de Segura)

Turisnat active tourism (Cazorla)

Extreme Nature active tourism (Cazorla)

Aventura Cazorla active tourism (Cazorla e Iruela)

El Contadero Aventuras active tourism (Cortijos Nuevos)

El Yelmo paragliding (La Puerta de Segura)

Aventura Sport active tourism (Quesada)

Cazorla Activa active tourism (Quesada)

Guadalkayak active tourism (Villanueva del Arzobispo)

Cazorla information point. C/ Martínez Falero, 11. Cazorla. Spain. Phone: +34 670 943 880. GPS coordinates 37º 54′ 58.02″ N – 3º 0′ 12.55″ W.

Cerrada del Utrero information point. Ctra. del Valle – Puente de las Herrerías, km. 7. Vadillo Castril. Spain. Phone: +34 953 124 235. GPS coordinates 37º 55′ 24.86″ N – 2º 55′ 36.17″ W.

Torre del Vinagre visitor center. Ctra. A-319, km. 48,5. Santiago-Pontones. Spain. Phone: +34 953 721 351. GPS coordinates 38º 0′ 49.11″ N – 2º 52′ 22.59″ W.

Caminito del Rey

Fascinating Spain — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 11:28:03 +0100

El Caminito del Rey (The King's Little Pathway) is a walkway almost eight kilometres long built on the walls of Los Gaitanes gorge. In addition to the route on roads, the main attraction is the three kilometres of footbridges suspended at a height of even one hundred metres above the river course of the Guadalhorce. This makes it one of the most spectacular and attractive walkways in Spain, even in Europe.

However, until its most recent remodeling it was one of the most dangerous paths in the world. Both expert mountaineers and some reckless locals have lost their lives there. That is why it was only permitted for true climbing specialists. The renovation was awarded the Europa Nostra 2016 prize for the best recovery, being chosen both by the professional jury and by popular vote.

The construction of El Caminito del Rey was an initiative promoted by the Sociedad Hidroeléctrica del Chorro (a company that produced hydroelectric power from Málaga). This company needed a passage that would overcome the mountain in order to facilitate the work of the workers of Salto del Chorro and Salto del Gaitanejo plants. Improvements works that began in 1901 lasted till 1905 because of its great difficulty. In 1921 King Alfonso XIII came to inaugurate the Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir and crossed the walkway. It was given the name Caminito del Rey thereafter.

El Caminito del Rey deteriorated over time until a full renovation of the walkway was truly needed. Its narrowness and dangerousness motivate the inhabitants to degrade its name to just “caminito”. Once reinforced, El Caminito del Rey re-emerged as one of the most attractive natural areas in Spain. From then on, the security measures are very extensive and there is no danger to walk the Caminito del Rey.

In addition, from the large vertical walls that hold up the footbridges, part of its stratigraphy can be seen thanks to the effect of river erosion, that is responsible for the many caves in the area. El Caminito del Rey is located in the natural site of El Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes. It is a natural area of great diversity carved on the rock of the Sierra de Huma. It has a rugged relief with large water bodies of the Guadalhorce, Conde de Guadalhorce and Guadalteba reservoirs (where kayaking is allowed). Likewise, there are numerous forms of active tourism in the area.

Vegetation and fauna

The vegetation are mainly endemisms and communities of Aleppo pine, holm oak, eucalyptus and Phoenician juniper (arâr). As far as their fauna is concerned, the birds of prey are the most common in the area. There are examples of griffon vultures, Bonelli's eagles, peregrine falcons and eagle owls. Blackbirds and swifts fly in the areas closest to the riverbed. On the other hand, the mountain goat lives on the steep ground of the gorge.

Hiking and how to get there

Tickets to do El Caminito del Rey must be purchased online. Since some weekends tickets are sold out, you could book a room in a nearby hotel. They usually have some for their guests. Bear in mind children under eight must be accompanied by their parents and that there are no bathrooms or places to satisfy your physiological needs intimately. It is also worth mentioning that the access is through a tunnel without light about two hundred meters long. Furtheremore, the tunnel is not even two metres high in some parts. We recommend you to take a flashlight.

It is important to plan the time needed to do El Caminito. It usually takes two hours once you have crossed the entrance door and collected the obligatory helmet. However, you must be there one hour before your booked time.

There are two options to do El Caminito. The first one is a round trip in order to go back to the car park. The other one is a one-way trip. At the end of El Caminito, there is a bus waiting to take the hikers in 20 minutes to the north entrance where they left the car. It is a half-day plan as it is worth taking it easy and take binoculars to gaze at the rock walls and the birds of prey that fly over the area. Do not forget the camera either.

Fianlly, El Caminito del Rey is close to two beautiful villages. On one hand, Ardales (where El Caminito del Rey is located, but it also has the important archeological site of Bobastro). On the other hand, the fortified Antequera (a city with impressive churches and prehistoric tombs). Several mountain roads such as the M-226, the M-444 or the M-447 go to the quarter of El Chorro, near to the gorge. Many hikers combine this visit with that of the nearby Torcal de Antequera.

Where to eat and stay in the surroundings of El Caminito del Rey:

In Álora

Los Caballos restaurant

Hacienda Los Conejitos restaurant

Casa Abilio restaurant

Sol del Río restaurant

In Antequera

Mesón Ibérico restaurant

Arte de Cozina restaurant

Caserío de San Benito restaurant

Mesón la Bombonera restaurant

In Ardales

El Mirador restaurant

Falcó restaurant

El Oasis restaurant

In Bermejo

Kon Tiki restaurant

In El Chorro

El Kiosko restaurant

La Garganta restaurant

Finca Rocabella restaurant

In Valle de Abdalajís

Venta los Atanores restaurant

Vista a la Sierra restaurant

In Álora

Don Pedro hotel

Durán hostal

Domingo holiday cottage

Cortijo Valverde holiday cottage

In Antequera

Antequera inn

Fuente del Sol hotel

Convento la Magdalena hotel

Finca Eslava hotel

In Ardales

La Posada del Conde hotel

El Cruce B&B

In El Chorro

Finca Rocabella holiday cottages

La Garganta holiday cottages

Encina Sola holiday cottages

In Valle de Abdalajís

El Refugio de Alamut hotel

Vista a la Sierra hotel

La Encina holiday cottage

Villa Ramos holiday cottage

Active tourism Indiansport(Ardales)

Active tourism Sendero Sur (Antequera)

Air Born Adventures paragliding (Valle de Abdalajís)

Eolox paragliding (Valle de Abdalajís)

Alóra Tourist Office. (A. Constitución, 6. Álora. Spain. Phone: +34 952 496 100. GPS coordinates 36º 49′ 40.3″ N – 4º 42′ 13.53″ E)

Ardales Tourist Office. (Av. de Málaga, 1. Ardales. Spain. Phone: +34 952 458 046. GPS coordinates 36º 52′ 49.96″ N – 4º 50′ 44.57″ E)

Natural Space of La Yecla y los Sabinares del Arlanza

Fascinating Spain — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 11:57:52 +0100

La Yecla gorge is one of the most attractive natural landscapes in the province of Burgos.

It covers an area of 26,055 hectares and includes the Valle Medio del Arlanza, Peñas de Cervera, Cañón de Matavicias, Meseta de Carazo, Monte Gayubar and Sierra de las Mamblas. These natural areas together shape the Natural Space of La Yecla y los Sabinares del Arlanza.

La Yecla is a deep granite gorge located in Peñas de Cervera. Its route that is nearly 600m long can be easily done thanks to a series of bridges and artificial footbridges that fly over the Cauce stream, a tributary of the Mataviejas river.

La Yecla is a rough passage. It is so narrow that sometimes its walls meet and the rays of the sun cannot penetrate to the bottom. The site is a small ecosystem of great landscape power located in the middle of a privileged natural environment.

There are also other woodland areas around, i.e. the Sabinar de Arlanza, considered by many the most extended and best-preserved Spanish juniper woodland in Spain.

Vegetation and fauna

In addition to the Spanish junipers, the whole area has dense vegetation made up of species such as the holm oak, pine tree, gall-oak and juniper.

The most common mammals in the area are the roe deer, wild boar, wild cat and otter. On the other side, the most common birds are the golden eagle, the short-toed eagle, the booted eagle, the Bonelli’s eagle, the peregrine falcon and the Egyptian vulture. Griffon vultures can also be seen in the area.

La Yecla and Sabinares de Arlanza | Turismo Sabinares de Arlanza

How to get there

La Yecla gorge is located halfway between the villages of Hinojar de Cervera and Santo Domingo de Silos, about 5 kilometres far away from the latter which, due to its proximity, is the main starting point for visitors to the site.

From Burgos you can get there by the E-5 or the A-1 road, taking the BU-900 at Lerma. The road N-234, which connects the capital of the province with Soria, also passes close to the place and connects with it through the BU-903. Covarrubias or Salas de los Infantes are also close to La Yecla.

Some recommendations of where to eat and stay in the surroundings of La Yecla:

In Santo Domingo de Silos

Asador Casa Emeterio restaurant

Mesón Casa de Guzmán restaurant

In Covarrubias

De Galo restaurant

Casa Galín restaurant

In Santo Domingo de Silos

Santo Domingo de Silos hotel

Silos 2000 hotel

In Covarrubias

Rey Chisdasvinto hotel

Nuevo Arlanza hotel

Covarrubias camping

Horseback riding Caballos del Arlanza (Covarrubias)

Turist Office of Santo Domingo de Silos. Pza. Mayor, 1. Santo Domingo de Silos. Burgos. Spain. Phone: 947 390 070. Coordinates GPS 41º 57′ 44.86″ N – 3º 25′ 8.12″ W)

Turist Office of Covarrubias. Calle Monseñor Arlanza, s/n. Covarrubias. Burgos. Spain. Phone: 947 406 461. Coordinates GPS 42º 3′ 33.12″ N – 3º 31′ 13.21″ W)

Marquesa de Arucas Garden

RD — Mon, 3 Dec 2018 12:48:53 +0100

It is not hard to believe that the ancient Greeks placed the mythical Garden of the Marchioness of Arucas, also known as the Garden of the Hesperides in the Canary Islands. Here in Arucas, where the plants flourish and the climate is like eternal spring, you feel transported to that earthly paradise, where the trees put forth golden apples of immortality, cared for by the nymphs called the Hesperides, who were guarded by the fierce hundredheaded dragon Ladon. According to the myth, even though the dragon was slain by the titan Atlas, its descendants are still alive in the shape of the dragon trees (Dracaena draco) that sprang up where its blood fell. One magnificent 200-year-old specimen dominates the old part of this garden. When the bark is broken, a dark red sap leaks out – ‘dragon’s blood’, possessed of curative properties. Sacred to the indigenous Canarians, the guanches, the tree is still symbolic of the Canary Islands.

Foto: fotografiasdegrancanaria.com

Covering 5 hectares near Las Palmas, the Jardín de la marquesa de Arucas is divided into old and new parts. The old part was designed by a French landscape architect around 1880 to complement the house built for the 1st Marquis of Arucas, Ramón Madam y Uriondo.

Thanks to the tropical climate, this outdoor room was used all the year round. The layout follows nineteenthcentury convention with paths –covered with the local lava– that wind through irregularly shaped borders. Picturesque touches include a mossclad grotto and a lakeside pavilion. A folly in the shape of a castle, doubling as a viewpoint, crowns an artificial mountain.

Foto: guaguasglobal.com

The marquis, founder of a prosperous local sugar refinery, was an enthusiastic botanist, and the collection of araucarias surrounding the house is part of his legacy. Sheltered by the side of a mountain, the Montaña de Arucas, and with the sea close at hand, the Jardín de la marquesa de Arucas enjoys a generous microclimate that has allowed these and other exotic trees including jacarandas, rubber plants and chorisias to flourish.

In 1990 the family extended the Jardín de la marquesa de Arucas and opened it to the public. To complete the display of tropical and subtropical species begun by the 1st Marquis, hundreds of varieties of palms have been planted, forming an paradisal landscape that is unmissable for anyone who wants to grasp the essence of Gran Canaria. Surrounded by banana trees which supply fruit to all of Spain, the garden envelops you in its velvety air and sweet scents, carrying you back to the Golden Age.

Garden in the Monasterio de Piedra in Nuévalos

RD — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 17:57:54 +0100

Few places blend art and nature as thoroughly as this romantic garden in the Monasterio de Piedra, in Nuévalos (Zaragoza). It was designed for the contemplation of the dramatic waterfalls, caves and natural lakes of its majestic landscape.

In spite of its natural appearance, the garden, like any other, is artificial –that is to say, man-made– and uses nature as a material. But the art of gardening is to reproduce not simply the outward forms of nature (the natura naturata), but also its inner workings (natura naturans).

Photo: buenkamino.files

Dating from 1860, this garden in the Monasterio de Piedra follows the landscape tradition in attempting to blur the boundary between it and its surroundings, by adapating itself to them. The English Fraser’s Magazine wrote at the time: "In regard to its scenery, the owner found that nature had left him little to do but to wonder and adore. Happily he had the good sense to be contented with this. Merely bringing into view and making accessible curiosities and points of interest without attempting to improve what in its wild simplicity is already perfect".

Juan Federico Muntadas

It refers to Juan Federico Muntadas, the architect of this superb union of natural landscape and garden. He was responsible for impregnating it with his romantic and pictorial aesthetics. The garden has become a setting that seems to be taken from a canvas by the German romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, where man is dwarfed by the forces of nature.

Photo: infortursa.es

Muntadas’s interventions were as much to make this extraordinary landscape in Monasterio de Piedra accessible. He opened up roads and walkways, built bridges and stairs. He created a landscape garden, with inviting paths between ash, walnut and plane trees. His father, Pablo Muntadas, acquired the twelfth-century Cistercian monastery at auction in 1840 in a sale of church lands instigated by Mendizábal.

Pablo’s plan was to develop the estate as farmland. His son Juan Federico discovered the astonishing Gruta Iris, or Iris Cave, which led him to open the park to the public. By the 1860s it was a tourist attraction. Juan Federico Muntadas founded the first fish farm in Spain, a combination of the useful and the beautiful.The Monasterio de Piedra is an extraordinary union between the man and his environment, a paradigm of the Romantic creation. Its location in one of the most deserted areas of Aragon makes it a treasure. Among the mountains of the Iberian System there is an orchard watered by the river Piedra, which is the name of the place.

The Natural Park of Peñas de Aya

RD — Fri, 7 Sep 2018 14:24:14 +0200

The Natural Park of Peñas de Aya (Aiako Harria) covers a total of 6,913 hectares of land in the easternmost part of Guipúzcoa, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, in part bordering Spain and France. It includes part of the municipalities of Irún, San Sebastián, Oiartzun, Rentería and Hernani.

The territory of the park expands between the channels of the Bidasoa and Urumea rivers and it has its most visible face in the massif of Tres Coronas, - a great granitic elevation (the only one in the province) formed by the mountains Irumugarrieta, Txurrumurru and Erroilbide, which with its 837 meters of height also supposes its roof. The rest of Peñas de Aya has an irregular relief of great ecological value formed by deep valleys with a large number of ravines and waterfalls. Water is one of the main values of the place, the Añorbe reservoir or the waterfall of Aiztondo are great examples the latter being the largest in the Basque Country thanks to its 100 meters of free fall. The peaks of Peñas de Aya, afford remarkable views that extend from Txingudi Bay to Mount Jaizkibel or the Oiartzun Valley .

The predominant forest mass of the park of Peñas de Aya is composed of beeches or oaks. You can also find some endemisms such as soldanella villosa. Its skies are furrowed by birds such as the griffon vulture, the Egyptian vulture or the golden eagle; as to the fauna of Peñas de Aya, it includes wild boars, roe deer and foxes. The Endara River is a regular spawning place for salmon

Peñas de Aya is a usual place for active tourism enthusiasts, because it is a more than appropriate space to practice mountaineering, hiking or bicycle tours, thanks to the extensive network of signaled trails that crosses its lands. It also has an exceptional cultural value in the mines of Arditurri, that review a mining tradition that began to develop in Roman times.

Access:To enter the park of the Peñas de Aya, the most usual is by the GI-3454 road, which connects Irún with Oiartzun, or by the GI-3420, between Oiartzun and Lesaka. The park has several resting areas with their own parking.

Some recommendations of where to eat and stay in the surroundings of Peñas de Aya:

In Hernani

Restaurante Iturralde

Restaurante Fagollaga

Restaurante Sidrería Iparragirre

Restaurante Sidrería Olaizola

In Irún

Restaurante Asador Trinkete Borda

Restaurante Amona kattalin

Restaurante Íñigo Lavado

Restaurante Danako

Restaurante Umeki

In Oiartzun

Resturante Zuberoa

Restaurante Matteo

Restaurante Joxixionia

Restaurante Intxixu

Restaurante Olaizola

In Hernani

Hotel Txinxua

Hostal Arrobi

Casa Rural Belazarte Etxea

In Irún

Hotel Alcázar

Hotel Atalaia

Hotel ETH

Hotel Urdanibia Park

Hotel Caserío Gure Ametsa

In Oiartzun

Hotel Lintzirin

Hotel Elizalde

Hotel Gurutze Berri

Hotel Usategieta

Casa Rural Peluaga Zahar

Camping Oliden

Horseriding Listorreta (Errenteria)

Paintball Jaizkiball(Errenteria)

Tourism Office in Oarsoaldea. Aialde Kalea 2, Oiartzun. Gipuzkoa. Spain. Telephone 943 494 521. GPS References aprox. 43º 17′ 56.09″ N – 1º 51′ 35.47″ W.

Tourism Office in Irún. Plaza Luis Mariano 3. Irun, Gipuzkoa. Spain. Telephone 943 020 732. GPS References aprox. 43º 20′ 24.5″ N

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