Natural Parks in Castilla la Mancha

Natural Parks in Castilla-La Mancha showcase wetlands, volcanic fields, and rugged sierras. The Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park features over a dozen interconnected lagoons, rich in birdlife and perfect for walking or kayaking. The Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park is known for dramatic cliffs, pine forests, and the famous “Enchanted City” rock formations. In Ciudad Real, the Cabañeros National Park borders natural park areas, protecting Mediterranean forests and large mammals like deer and wild boar. These parks highlight the region’s diverse landscapes and cultural ties to nature.

Alto Tajo Natural Park

October 17, 2023 by clive

Region: Castilla la Mancha
Province: Cuenca and Guadalajara
Declared a Natural Park: 2000 and now is inside the Molina-Alto Tajo global geopark limits
Park surface area: 174,545 hectares

Points of interest

The Alto Tajo Natural Park located between the southeast of the Guadalajara province and the northeast of Cuenca is famous for its canyons and gorges formed by the river Tagus and its tributaries. (The most extensive river gorge system in the region and one of the most important in Spain, with a great geological, botanical and fauna diversity.

clive

Clive Muir – Wildside Holidays – Walking, wildlife and culture holidays in Spain

I’ve been living in western Andalucía for more than 20 years and spend much of my time researching and running English-language travel websites about Spain. My work covers destinations including Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema and the Caminito del Rey, as well as Wildside Holidays, which focuses on walking, wildlife and nature travel in Spain.

Through Wildside Holidays, I share practical information about Spain’s natural parks, mountains, wildlife and walking destinations, drawing on many years of living and travelling in the country. The aim is to help visitors discover Spain’s natural landscapes responsibly and plan rewarding walking and wildlife experiences.

The Sierra Norte de Guadalajara Natural Park

October 17, 2023 by clive

Region: Castilla la Mancha.
Province: Guadalajara.
Declared a Natural Park: 2011.
Park surface area: 125,772 hectares.

Points of interest

The Sierra Norte de Guadalajara Natural Park extends through the a vast area of the northern mountains in the province of Guadalajara. It encompasses the Ayllón and Pela mountain ranges as well as the pre-existing Hayedo de Tejera Negra Natural Park, the Pico del Lobo-Cebollera Massif nature reserve, the Pelagallinas River fluvial reserve and the National Hunting Reserve of Sonsaz.

The Hayedo de Tejera Negra Natural Park was declared in 1978 with an area of 1641 hectares.
The Natural Reserve of the Pico del Lobo-Cebollera Massif declared in 2005 with an area of 10,024 ha. Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and Place of Community Importance (SCI).
The Pelagallinas River Fluvial Reserve declared in 2003 with an area of 362 ha.

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Clive Muir – Wildside Holidays – Walking, wildlife and culture holidays in Spain

Ciudad Encantada in Cuenca

October 17, 2023 by clive

Region: Castilla la Mancha
Province: Cuenca
Declared a Natural Site of National Interest on June 11, 1929
Privately run

I first stumbled across the Ciudad Encantada in Cuenca whilst on a long road trip over 20 years ago and, I remember then being totally awed by the amazing formations on this 3 km stroll through pine forest and rock. Finally, many years later in July 2022, I had the opportunity to visit again with my family. What a treat, this place is as fantastic as I remembered!

Los barcos at the Ciudad Encantada — the scale of these formations can be seen when a person is also in the picture! In this case, my kids by “Los barcos” (The boats)

90 million years ago, this area was part of the shallow, and most importantly, calm seabed of Thetis which led to the deposition of minerals and salts creating limestone and dolomite.

Cuenca: Enchanted City, Devil’s Window and Medieval Quarter

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Clive Muir – Wildside Holidays – Walking, wildlife and culture holidays in Spain

Barranco del Rio Dulce Natural Park

February 2, 2021 by clive

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) … Read more

Points of interest

Points of interest

Cuenca: Enchanted City, Devil’s Window and Medieval Quarter

The Caminito del Rey