The Lomaza de Belchite Wildlife Refuge is located in the Campo de Belchite region in the southwest of the province of Zaragoza, Aragón. The refuge has an area of 961 hectares and was declared a protected natural area in1995.
This steppe territory is the result of a very ancient process of human deforestation and subsequent agricultural (mainly livestock) use.
The current wastelands and moorlands are fragile ecosystems and hold a habitat of specialized steppe flora and fauna.
The area has suffered an abandonment of traditional agricultural practices in recent years.
The Lomaza de Belchite Wildlife Refuge is recognised as a Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves (ZEPA) and is an important nesting area for steppe birds. The main species found here are Lesser kestrel, Stone curlew, Dupont’s lark, Pipit and Calandra lark
The flora is also adapted to the steppe environment with scarce arboreal and shrub vegetation resulting from the extreme weather conditions in the area.
There is very little rainfall, strong winds and sudden changes in temperature during both winter and summer.
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Access is on the A-222 road, with a parking area, explanatory panels and a signposted itinerary that starts from this point.
At the time of writing this article a permit is required in order to o be able to enter the refuge area (Ask in one of the information centres below)
Information Centres
There is a tourist office in the town of Belchite that should be able to help you with access to the area so it is reccommended to visit here first.
Address: Calle Becu, 2 Belchite
Interpretation Center of the steppes of the Ebro valley (Belchite)
This center is located in a superb building on the outskirts of Belchite next to the Ethnic Museum.
The center has a large room with the exhibition on display and another adjoining video room. In addition, it offers various interactive panels, with sounds and aromas of the steppe, models, audiovisual projections for groups which allows a first approach to these natural spaces before visiting the La Lomaza Wildlife Refuge and the El Planerón Ornithological Reserve.
The Interpretation Center is open to the public on weekends and holidays, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00.
On other dates you can arrange a visit by calling 679 55 20 90 beforehand.
The website for the town of Belchite is here.
https://belchite.es/
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