Created in 1995, the protected landscape of the Pinares de Rodeno is located in the Sierra de Albarracín region in the province of Teruel, Aragon. Local villages in the area are Albarracín, Bezas and Gea de Albarracín.The area covers around 6,829 hectares and the altitude ranges between 1,095 meters above sea level in the Tobías ravine and 1,602 meters in the Cruz de Montoyo.
The soil of the pine forest is formed on a substrate of red sandstone, called rodeno. Among the forms that the atmospheric agents have shaped. It is worth highlighting the gorges dug by the water courses, the taffoni (hemispherical holes in the rock wall) or the pilancones (large circular depressions in the rock surface).
There is also an area in which limestone rock is predominant with a softer relief and higher, flatter areas. Here there are other species of pines and holm oaks.
The main species of pine that inhabits the area is the rodeno pine (Pinus pinaster) which is characterized by having a medium height and a rough reddish bark. They have traditionally been used to obtain resin. The rodeno pine is accompanied by characteristic species such as juniper, rockrose, heather, lavender, rosemary and thyme . In addition you can find other species of trees of the genus Quercus (Carrasqueño oak, rebollo and sessile oak).
In ravines and more humid areas there are species such as poplar, willow, hazel, hawthorn and holly.
In the limestone areas, the rodeno pine gives way to the black pine and the scots pine.
The animal species found in the pine forests are typical of the Mediterranean forest such as wild boars, roe deer, red deer, fox, stone marten, hares. and squirrels.
Among the birds, the pine forests are a refuge for wren, crossbill, little owl, tawny owl, various hawk species and booted eagle. In the oak forests you will find birds like blue tit, blackbird, robin and buntings. On the cliffs and crags look out for golden eagle, peregrine falcon, kestrel and eagle owl.
Find a hotel in the Pinares de Rodeno
Booking.com
Cave paintings
There are various caves among the pine forests with important examples of Levantine rock art, among which the Prado del Navazo, Doña Clotilde and the Cocinilla del Obispo stand out . The artwork represented consists of humans hunting or cooking and scenes of animals.
Information centres
Donarque Interpretation Center (Centro de Interpretación de Donarque)
Located between Bezas and Albarracín, 30 km from Teruel, 14 km from Albarracín and 3 km from Bezas.
The exhibitions in this interpretation centre cover the rich natural history of the protected landscape of the Pinares de Rodeno, especially the geological values and traditional forest uses. Inside the centre we can find…
- Audiovisual Projections.
- An Interactive exhibition.
- Geology of the Sierra de Albarracín.
- Protected Landscape Units (Rodeno, Loma Rasa and Sierra Carbonera).
- Flora and fauna of the Sierra de Albarracín.
- Caves, cave paintings and pre history
- Obtaining resin.
Opening times
Autumn – winter: weekends and holidays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3pm to 6pm.
Spring – summer: weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4pm to 8pm
Albarracín Cultural Park
The centre of the park is the town of Albarracín and the surroundings of this medieval villa stand out as a remarkable geological, paleontological and archaeological heritage. Albarracín, surrounded by a vast pine forest holds one of the biggest amounts of post-Palaeolithic prehistoric art in South West Europe. There are over 20 sites to visit in the area containing painting representations in Albarracín, Bezas and Tormón. There are also two large areas with engravings in Pozondón and Ródenas.
Bronze Age remains can be found in places such as Cueva de la Artesa, in the mining fields Loma de la Tejería and Tajada Bajera.
Celtiberian culture remains have been found in the town of Griegos.
From Roman times, parts of an aqueduct remains which once brought water from the Guadaliviar river down to the town of Cella.
The Middle Ages are represented by the beautiful and well preserved castles of both Albarracín and Peracense.
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.
http://grazalemaguide.com/
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.
