- Region: Castilla la Mancha
- Province: Guadalajara
- Declared a Natural Park: 2003
- Park surface area: 8,348 hectares
- Local towns and villages: Sigüenza, Mandayona, Saúca, Torremocha del Campo, Algora and Mirabueno
Points of interest
The Barranco del Rio Dulce Natural Park is Special Area of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Area (SPA), a Site of Community Importance (SCI) and is also included in the Natura 2000 network.
The impressive ravine is the result of the erosion on Mesozoic limestone, dolomites and paleogene outcrops. During the Cretaceous period the area was frequently covered by seas which deposited the current limestone. More recently, in the Quaternary, the river has been dissolving the limestone and eroding the current canyon.
This spectacular landscape was popularized by the famous naturalist Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente as it provided the ideal setting for a number of his television wildlife documentaries. (Especially those dedicated to eagles)
The viewing area over the gorge is dedicated to him. (Félix Samuel Rodríguez de la Fuente (March 14, 1928 – March 14, 1980) was a Spanish naturalist and broadcaster. He is best known for the highly successful and influential TV series, El Hombre y la Tierra (1974–1980)
Video showing the Barranco del Rio Dulce Natural Park from the air
The cliff walls provide the perfect habitat for swift (Apus melba), Eurasian crag martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris), redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), rock sparrow (Petronia petronia), blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius) and raven (Corvus corax).
These rocky areas are also inhabited by griffon vulture, red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Egyptian vulture as well as the increasingly rare Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), eagle owl (Bubo bubo) and peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus).
The riparian (river) ecosystem is an important habitat for the otter which feeds mainly on the large and healthy population of common trout (Salmo trutta)
There is also an isolated population of the endangered Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) The river is an ideal habitat for birds such as the white-throated dipper (Cinclus cinclus), grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) and kingfisher. The Mediterranean water shrew (Neomys anomalus) is also present
In the woodland and moorlands there are roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa ).
These wooded and open areas are hunting grounds for raptors such as booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and goshawk (Accipiter gentilis).
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Centro de interpretación Parque Natural Barranco del Río Dulce
Located in the village of Mandayona the exhibition dedicated to the natural resources of the park is influenced greatly by the work of the famous Spanish naturalist Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente.
There are live cams showing vulture nests and excellent information on the fauna and flora of the area. This is also the place to get your infomation for walking in the area.
The Grazalema Guide
The best way to see all our web projects in one place is over at the Grazalema Guide.
The Grazalema Guide – Tourist Information Portal for the Sierra de Grazalema, Wildside Holidays, the town of Ronda and the Caminito del Rey.