Wildlife & Walking Tours in Spain | Wildside Holidays - Page 42 of 135 - Take a walk on the Wildside Your guide to wildlife and walking tours in Spain

Calares del Rio Mundo y de la Sima Natural Park

October 18, 2023 by clive

Region: Castilla la Mancha
Province: Albacete
Declared a Natural Park: 2005
Park surface area: 19,192 hectares
Place of Community Importance (SCI)
Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA)
Towns and villages: Yeste, Cotillas, Molinicos, Riópar, Víanos, Villaverde del Guadalimar and Veste

Points of interest

A mountainous terrain, the Calares del Rio Mundo y de la Sima Natural Park is marked by several watercourses that have eroded and created karst landscapes of great beauty across the Sierra de Alcaraz, Campo de Montiel and the Sierra del Segura . This park is close to the neighboring Natural Park of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas in Andalucia.

The Mundo river is well known for its picturesque source. The river originates from a cave in the middle of a tall cliff and forms a waterfall with a height of almost 100 meters. Subsequently, it forms a series of smaller cascades and pools.

The area has also become famous as a starlight destination. The Starlight Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2009 to promote the protection of the night sky and the development of “astrotourism” and there is an ever growing list of starlight destinations in Spain to visit.

Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park

October 17, 2023 by clive

Region: Castilla la Mancha
Province: Albacete and Ciudad Real
Towns and villages: Argamasilla de Alba, Ruidera, Alhambra, Ossa de Montiel and Villahermosa.
Declared a Natural Park: 1979
Park surface area: 3,772 hectares

Points of interest

The Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park acts as a buffer zone to the Tablas de Daimiel National Park and It consists of a complex lagoon system made up of fifteen lagoons, which over 30 kilometers constitute the Alto Guadiana valley and in its highest part the source of the Guadiana river.

A lot of activities are available in the area such as hiking, diving, kayaking, paddle surfing, sailing, etc. There are bathing areas during the summer, and good places for sport fishing (See below)

The vanishing Daimiel wetlands: A 50-year environmental crisis and a national park in peril

October 17, 2023 by clive

The Daimiel wetlands, known as Las Tablas de Daimiel, are at a critical juncture as they mark their 50th year as a national park. This natural wonder, a symbol of Castilla La Mancha Húmeda biosphere reserve, has been steadily deteriorating over the years due to poor water management, with overexploitation driven primarily by agricultural irrigation.

Over exploitation of water

The overexploitation of water for agricultural purposes has transformed the Tablas de Daimiel into one of Europe’s most threatened aquatic ecosystems. The modern agri-food model, which prioritizes high production rates, has placed immense pressure on our limited water resources, particularly in arid regions like Castilla-La Mancha. As a consequence, what was once a flourishing wetland teeming with biodiversity has become an arid expanse.

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.

Points of interest

Points of interest

Over exploitation of water

Points of interest

The Caminito del Rey

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