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Cabañeros National Park

Montes de Toledo, Ciudad Real  >  Spain

Wild, remote and superb area of natural beauty. One of Spain's fifteen national parks. Mediterranean woodland, "Raña" landscape and scrubby mountains.

Geplaatst* door Mats van Kasteren
Meest recente update 17 juli 2023

Beschrijving

The huge Cabañeros national park lies in the heart of Spain. The area is very sparsely populated and is one of the few areas in Western Europe that is truly wild. With the wildlife to match it! The park hosts the world's second largest colony of Monniksgier (286 pairs in 2019), a healthy population of Spaanse Keizerarend, Grote Trap and many more endangered species! It is one of the few places in the world where nearly all the typical species of the mediterranean ecosystem still occur. Amongst the mammals, the Iberian lynx (rarest wild cat in the world) has a growing population in these hills and red deer is very numerous (especially on the Raña). All in all, plenty of reason to visit!

This route consists of 2 main areas: the scrubby and wooded heart of the National Park and the Raña savannah just outside the parks borders. On the route through the heart of the park, you can expect to see the typical species of the Spanish heartland "Monte". Monniksgier breeds, so does Spaanse Keizerarend, Slangenarend, Rode Patrijs, Hop, Westelijke Orpheusgrasmus, Wielewaal and many more species. This is also the part of the area where the Iberian lynx occurs, but chances of actually seeing one are pretty much zero. This area does not have viewpoints, but it is very possible to pull up along the road and scan the area. Check the skies especially carefully for raptors (all characteristic species may be seen).

The second part takes you over the Raña, starting from Santa Quiteria in the direction of Casa Palillos (the second visitor centre). Again you can stop along the road to scan the steppes, but there is also an observatory (Observatorio de Cigüeñas) from which you can see Ooievaar, red deer and steppe birds. At the visitor's centre there is also an observation platform and -tower. The main species here are: Grote Trap, Kleine Trap, Griel, Ooievaar, Blauwe Ekster as well as several raptors; Vale Gier come down from the mountains to feed, sometimes joined by Monniksgier or Aasgier. Spaanse Keizerarend, Steenarend, Slangenarend, Dwergarend and several harriers may be seen as well. In winter and autumn, Kraanvogel is very numerous and may be seen feeding on the acorns underneath the holm oaks.

Details

Toegang

The first half of the route is about 30 km long and starts in Retuerta del Bullaque and ends at the Visitor's centre in Horcajo de Los Montes. Follow the road south, straight through the heart of the National Park. Stop anywhere you like and can to look for birds of prey.

The second part is about 8 km long and takes you over the Raña, starting from Santa Quiteria in the direction of Casa Palillos (the second visitor centre). Again you can stop along the road to scan the steppes, but there is also an observatory (Observatorio de Cigüeñas) from which you can see white storks, red deer and steppe birds. At the visitor's centre there is also an observation platform and -tower where you can again look for steppe birds, big game and raptors.

Terrein en leefgebied

Bos , Vlakte , Berg , Steppe , Landbouw , Grasland/weide , Verspreide bomen en struiken

Omstandigheden

Bergachtig , Geen schaduw , Heuvelachtig , Droog , Open landschap , Stoffig

Rondlopende wandeling mogelijk?

Nee

Telescoop meenemen?

Kan handig zijn

Wanneer hier vogels kijken?

Het hele jaar

Toptijd voor dit gebied

Winter , Herfst , Lente

Route

Verharde weg

Zwaarte wandeling

Gemakkelijk

Toegankelijk via

Auto , Fiets

Vogelkijkhut aanwezig?

Ja

Extra info

Note that this is an area of extremes: summers are very hot and winters very cold. Dress accordingly!

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Kaart

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