- Region: Valencian Community
- Province: Valencia
- Declared a Natural Park: 2007
- Park surface area: 6,390 hectares
- Towns and villages: Puebla de San Miguel
Points of interest
The Puebla de San Miguel Natural Park is located in the Rincón de Ademuz region on the western foothills of the Sierra de Javalambre and holds very particular woodland habitats, such as juniper, holm oaks and the largest stand of yew trees in the province of Valencia.
There are abundant fossil remains in the area including dinosaurs and marine species from the Cretaceous period whilst the town of Puebla de San Miguel has an excellent ethnographic museum.
Within the natural park is the Alto de Las Barracas, also called Cerro Calderón, which at 1837 meters is the highest peak in the Valencian Community and also Pico Gavilán at 1747 meters.
One of the most interesting places in the park is the “Mirar Bueno” viewpoint which has spectacular views of the landscapes in the region.
The Sabinar de las Blancas has been declared a Micro – Reserve of Flora due to the presence of 100 year old juniper trees.
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.
The Puebla has just 70 inhabitants and limited sevices such as shops and bars/restaurants so make sure you have everything you may need with you such as water and food etc.
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Flora
Woodlands here are made up of holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia), gall oak (Quercus faginea), Spanish juniper (Juniperus thurifera), yew (Taxus baccata), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Black pine (Pinus nigra).
In the eastern areas of the park, especially the Barranco del Saladillo, the scrubby landscape is formed mainly by species such as savin juniper (Juniperus sabina), kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), gorse (Genista hispanica), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and a large number of other aromatic species.
There are also endemisms such as ground thyme (Thymus godayanus), alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) and Solomons seals (Polygonatum sp).
There are 7 flora microreserves and each one deserves a visit especially in spring and early summer.
- Barranco del Saladillo
- Alto de Las Barracas
- Pino Vicente Tortajada
- Barranco Jorge
- Las Blancas
- Barranco de la Hoz
- Barranco Jiménez.
Fauna
There are a large number of birds of prey such as booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), golden eagle (Aquila heliaca), barn owl (Tyto alba), short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and red kite (Milvus migrans ).
Mammals include Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), stone marten (Martes foina) and wildcat (Felis silvestris).
Among the reptiles present are Latastes viper (Vipera latastei), several other species of snake, and ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus).
The Spanish moon moth (Graellsia isabelae) and the apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo) are also present and with some luck the latter can be seen on the wing from May to September)
Also in the area
Geological route of the old kaolin mines
Located on the northern limit of the Rincón de Ademuz region bordering Riodeva (Teruel). The easiest access is through Riodeva, following the TE-V-6012 from the N-330 road.
The Geological Route of the Puebla de San Miguel Natural Park includes eight geological interpretation points. Starting at the Silex Mine and ending at the Salamanca Mine. Its just under 3 Km to stroll and takes about 2 hours to explore.
- 1: From the outcrop to the geological map.
- 2: Geology of a mine front.
- 3: Rock slide from Aguila Peak.
- 4: Fossil logs.
- 5: Angle mismatch.
- 6: The Fairy Chimney.
- 7: Sediments and Structures.
- 8: Kaolinite sand mining front.
There are also three well signed footpaths in the area that are well worth exploring
- Ruta Verde. El Carrascal, tras las huellas del pasado (Green route, easy 4,7 Km, 1.5 hours)
- Ruta Roja. Camino de la Sal (Red route, medium, 9 km, 3 hours)
- Ruta Amarilla. Sabinas, testigos del tiempo (Yellow route, easy, 4.2 km, 1.5 hours)
Information/Visitors Centers
The technical office of the Park is located in the Casa Forestal on the Valencia road in Puebla de San Miguel. The opening hours to the public are from 9 am to 2:00 pm Monday to Friday and inside you will find presentations and information panels covering many aspects of the fauna, flora, geology and history of the area.
There is also a tourist office in the town of Ademuz that may be able to help you if the park office is closed. (Opens Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 2pm. Fridays and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm and 4:30pm to 6:30 pm).
The official website for the Puebla de San Miguel Natural Park is here: https://parquesnaturales.gva.es/es/web/pn-puebla-de-san-miguel/puebla-de-san-miguel
The Caminito del Rey
Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/
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I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!