Nature & Environment
Nearly a fifth of Andalucia is protected, the largest proportion of an autonomous region in Spain, reflecting the unspoilt nature of its countryside and the high ecological importance of its territory.
NATIONAL PARKS are locations of outstanding importance for their wildlife and geology, with ecosystems that have been little altered by human activity. They have the highest degree of protection, sometimes with restricted access to certain areas within them.
There are two national parks in Andalucia: Doñana and Sierra Nevada. Access to the practically all of the Doñana National Park is strictly by guided tour only; trips run from the main visitors' centre in El Acebuche and the tourist office in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cadiz province. However, between El Rocío and Villamanrique de la Condesa there is a drovers' track (vía pecuaria) called the Raya Real, which gives access to the northern part of the park by non-motorised transport (horses, bicycles or on foot) only.
The entire Sierra Nevada National Park is open to the public, but many routes are for those on foot or bicycle only. Roads and tracks closed off by a chain or other barrier must only be used by hikers or cyclists and not motor vehicles. Cyclists are allowed to use all but the most narrow footpaths.
Also, at present, the Sierra de las Nieves natural park is in the process of being declared a National Park.
NATURAL PARKS make up the bulk of Andalucia's protected areas and demonstrate an enormous range of geology, climate and habitats, such as coastal dunes, beaches, semi-desert steppe, mountain forests, Mediterranean woodland, saltmarshes and marine zones. Park legislation is aimed at protected cultural and architectural traditions as well as the natural environment. Virtually all of the parks have unrestricted access, but a few may have areas where you need to obtain special permission before visiting them due to the risk of forest fire or disturbing nesting birds, as is the case with the reserve zone in the Sierra de Grazalema.
OTHER ANDALUCIA PROTECTED STATUS
* Natural Areas, known technically in Andalucia as parajes naturales, that are protected due to their unique wildlife and landscape. Like natural parks, these vary greatly in geology, climate and habitats.
* Nature Reserves are small enclaves aimed at conserving a fragile localised ecosystem, often within wetland habitats. They are called reservas naturales in Spanish. To enter a natural reserve special permission is usually required; contact the Junta de Andalucia Medio Ambiente (environment) office, which are based in each provincial capital.
* Natural Monuments are a more recent addition to Andalucia's network of protected areas and are often a singular exceptional natural feature, such as a centuries-old tree, a distinctive rock formation or coastal feature.
https://www.andalucia.com/environment/protect/home.htm
PROTECTED NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS IN CÁDIZ PROVINCE
Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park is one of Andalucia's most visited parks, renowned for its wildlife, rugged limestone landscape and great hiking territory. Offering a more gentle walking experience amid centuries-old cork oak woodland is the Alcornocales Natural Park. Located in a prime spot for viewing the twice-yearly migration of birds between Europe and Africa, Cadiz has many sites brimming with birdlife like the province's two largest protected coastal zones, the Estrecho Natural Park and the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park, which has one of Europe's most important wetlands. Despite the many built-up areas littering its shoreline, Cadiz is rich in outstanding coastal features like the natural monuments of the Tombolo de Trafalgar, Corrales de Rota, Duna de Bolonia and the Punta del Boquerón.
https://www.andalucia.com/environment/protect/cadiz.htm
NATURAL PARKS
Sierra de Grazalema
Bahía de Cádiz
Los Alcornocales
Breña y Marismas de Barbate Natural Park
Estrecho Natural Park
NATURAL AREAS
Embalse de Arcos
Embalse de Bornos
Estuario de Guadiaro
Isla del Trocadero
Marismas de Sancti Petri
Marismas del Palmones
Playa de los Lances
NATURAL RESERVES
Complejo Endorreico de Chiclana
Complejo Endorreico de Espera
Complejo Endorreico de Puerto Real
Complejo Endorreico del Puerto de Santa Maria
Peñón de Zaframagón Natural Reserve
Laguna de Medina
Lagunas de las Canteras y El Tejon
NATURAL MONUMENTS
Tómbola de Trafalgar Natural Monument
Punta de Boquerón Natural Monument
Duna de Bolonia Natural Monument
Corrales de Rota Natural Monument
Whale & Dolphin Watching
WHALE & DOLPHIN WATCHING: FIRMM – Tarifa & Straits of Gibraltar
(Foundation for Information and Research on Marine Mammals). The foundation operates a responsible eco-tourism policy so visitors observe the mammals in their natural environment with every trip recording valuable data. 98% of trips are rewarded with the sight of animals, those who do not receive a free trip on another scheduled boat.
Boat trips last two hours with a 30-minute briefing. Adults €30, 6-14 years €20, under 6 €10. From April to October with five trips daily. You will need to re-confirm on morning of trip (due to weather) and meet at FIRMM office in the Tarifa Habour. For further information and reservations Tel: +34 956 627 008 or +34 619 459 441. www.firmm.org
Birdwatching
Los Barrios to Facinas birdwatching route
There are various bird observatories along the N340 coast road between Los Barrios and Facinas, that skirts the edges of the Parque Natural del Elstrecho. These are prime positions for watching migration; choose observatories west of Tarifa when winds are westerly and those east of Tarifa when there are easterly winds.
This route also has stunning views across the Strait of Gibraltar to the African coastline.
* From Los Barrios, the first one is El Algarrobo, at Km 99.1, just north of the N340. A few kilometres later in El Pelayo, at Km 96, is a visitors' centre, the Centro de Visitantes Huerta Grande. It has information on bird migration in the Strait of Gibraltar.
* The second is El Cabrito, reached by taking the track at Km 91 leading off the N340. Further west along the coast is the Observatorio Valle del Santuario. Just outside Facinas is the Puerto de Facinas observatory.
Birdingthestrait.com
- offer birding day trips including all year-round raptor migration and superb birding hotspots from their base in Tarifa.
www.andaluciabirdsociety.org/
Breña y Marismas de Barbate
Tucked between Barbate and Caños de Meca and inland towards Vejer de la Frontera, the 5,000 hectares of the Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park is one of the smallest in Andalucia. It contains five different ecosystems: marine, cliff, pine grove, marshland and dunes. Special mention should be made of the stunning Tajo de Barbate. It is more than 100 metres high and is the most famous area of cliffs on the Atlantic coast of Andalusia. As well as walking and cycling routes, you can also enjoy this spectacular location from up close, by taking a boat trip from Barbate port. Along the cliff face, which has been eroded by the water and wind, you can see freshwater springs that flow into small coves; these are the famous "caños" (water spouts).
You can also explore the area including the pine forests on horseback - one stunning trip is the Torre del Tajo Trail which ends up with a beautiful view. This is one of the watchtowers used in the 15th and 16th centuries to warn of approaching pirate ships, and which later witnessed the Battle of Trafalgar.
https://www.andalucia.org/listing/la-bre%c3%b1a-y-marismas-de-barbate/15483102/
https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/web/ventanadelvisitante/detalle-buscador-mapa/-/asset_publisher/Jlbxh2qB3NwR/content/la-bre%C3%91a-y-marismas-del-barbate/255035
https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/parks/spain/cadiz--3/parque-natural-de-la-brena-y-marismas-del-barbate
Parque Natural de Las Breñas - 5km West of Vejer
This mainly pine forest park runs between Canos de Meca and Barbate - stretching from the clifftops of the coast inland to the outskirts of San Ambrosio just south of Vejer. There are 5 signposted walks that are available on a free map from the local tourist office. These range in length from 1.6km to 12.7km. Also located here is the El Palomar dovecot with 7700 nests, making it the largest dovecot in the world. It was active in the 18th century but now the nests are mainly empty.
There is an Information Point in Barbate - visit the Junta de Andalucia website link for details
Parque Natural de Las Marismas - 3km South West of Vejer
There is a walking trail from Vejer to this park which comprises of marshland around the Barbate river, making it a haven for birdlife.
https://www.andalucia.com/environment/protect/barbate.htm
Parque Natural de la Bahia de Cádiz - 30km North of Vejer
This park is best accessed from the Chiclana side and from Sancti Petri you can do a boat trip through the waterways or hire a kayak. The landscape is made up of marsh flats and salt marshes and sandy beaches. Just off the coast from Sancti Petri is the castle which sits on an island and is easily reached by sea kayak. At low tide sand spits appear creating your own "desert island" on which to take a break.
Parque Natural del Estrecho - 30km South of Vejer
This park stretches south from Bolonia (site of the roman ruins) around the coast towards Alcerciras. The sand dunes at Bolonia and Punta Paloma are particularly stunning. It is possible to walk from Atlanterra to Bolonia but by car you have to divert back inland. The views across the straits of Gibraltar are fantastic and this is an important area for the migration of many varieties of birds.
Grazalema National Park
130 Km North East of Vejer, near Ronda
Designated a Unesco Biosphere reserve in 1977, the Sierra de Grazalema was declared the first natural park in Andalucia in 1984 and is one of Spain's most ecologically outstanding areas. The park itself covers 51,695 hectares and is situated in the north east corner of Cadiz province and spills into the north west of Malaga province within Andalucía.
This protected area consists of a large cluster of high limestone peaks that holds within it a range of ecosystems from sheer and colourful cliff faces to deep lush valleys, rich green forests to bleak white scree slopes. There are around 20 peaks above 1000m creating an impressively sculpted landscape, the highest being El Torreón at 1654m (5426 feet) which command fabulous views across the mountains and over to the plains of Cadiz province. The park is also famous for its spectacularly rugged limestone landscape of gullies, caves and gorges. By far the most impressive gorge is Garganta Verde, with its griffon vulture colony and rocky walls that tower vertically for 400m.
You need to arrange a pass from one of the local visitor centres to walk into the gorge and be aware it is quite a hard walk. http://turismograzalema.com/english/the-grazalema-natural-park/
Alcornocales Natural Park
- Alcala 41km West of Vejer
This vast park covers 167,767ha from Tarifa in the south to the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in the north. It is named after its handsome and beautifully kept cork tree grove, the largest in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most important ones in the world. It is the best example of what the densely wooded, primeval Iberian forests may have been like.
The far south of the region is crossed by humid, deep, narrow V-shaped valleys, called canutos, which have been eroded by rivers and provide the ideal habitat for subtropical forests of great ecological value. Today, these forests only exist in Spain and Turkey but they used to grow in many other parts of Europe. There are over 40 species of fern in the area; one botanical jewel here is the rare fern psilotum nudum, the only other examples of which occur in the southern hemisphere. Typical canutos are those of the Gallina, Hortela and Jautor. Information - There are two visitors' centres; for both centres, call + 34 956 679 161.
* Huerta Grande is south of Algeciras at Km 96 on the N340 coast road.
* El Aljibe is in Alcalá de los Gazules, on the road to Benalup at Km 1.
Access
The area is easily accessible via road, the main road crossing the northern section being the A375 between Ubrique in the northeast and Alcalá de los Gazules in the west. Between Algar in the north and Jimena de la Frontera in the east is the C3331, whilst the A381 crosses the southern section from Alcalá de los Gazules to Algeciras. There are also many minor roads and forest tracks crisscrossing the park.
Walks
- This is excellent walking country, with 20 signposted walks in woodland, river and mountain areas:
Sendero Subida al Picacho
is a 2.3km walk of around three hours that begins in El Picacho picnic area, at Km 30 of the A375 road that links Ubrique with Alcalá de los Gazules. It leads up to the peak of Picacho, at 882m, with magnificent views over the park. El Picacho is also the starting point of the short 1.2km Sendero Garganta de Puerto Oscuro, which passes by the Laguna de El Picacho, and the challenging Sendero Subida al Aljibe, which ends at La Sauceda picnic area.
Sendero Laguna del Moral
is an easy walk of 2km, which takes around 1½ hours. It goes through densely wooded cork groves and ends at Laguna del Moral. The starting point is La Sauceda picnic area, off the CA3331.
Suggested routes
From Alcalá de los Gazules
The A375 crosses the northern part of the park, through magnificent cork forests and past rugged mountains. Several minor roads, sometimes tortuously winding in places, lead off the A375, if you want to explore the park further. The A375 climbs out of Alcalá de los Gazules and at Km 30 is El Picacho picnic area, the starting point of three walks. It's worth stopping to appreciate the views; just off the A375 on the CA0567 road is the viewpoint Mirador Puerto de las Palomas and where the A375 joins the A373 before Ubrique is the Mirador Mojón de la Víbora.
Ojén valley
The CA221 road between Facinas in the west and Los Barrios in the east is an attractive route, passing through the Ojén valley. Halfway along is the Mirador Puerto de Ojén, with superb views across the park. The road winds through cork forests and past verdant river woodland in the bottom of the valley itself. See GR7 walk for a description of this route.
Doñana National Park
- 85 Km to the North of Vejer
This park is actually in Huelva province but is reached from Sanlucar. It covers 543km², of which 135 km² are a protected area. The park is an area of marsh, shallow streams, and sand dunes in Las Marismas, the Guadalquivir River Delta region where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The original area was established in 1963 when the World Wildlife Fund joined with the Spanish government and purchased a section of marshes to protect it from the constant threat to drain the marshes, use the river water to boost agricultural production by irrigating land along the coast, and to expand tourist facilities. Boat trips run from Bajo de Guia in Sanlucar with Real Fernando.
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/servtc5/ventana/mostrarFicha.do;jsessionid=E487C3FA88CD1056830483A44228D926?idEspacio=7419&lg=EN
Doñana National Park is a wetland / coastal reserve at the delta of the Guadalquivir River and a major site for migrating birds. The park holds 360 species of birds, in transfer from or to Africa (on the same flyway as Djoudj and Banc d’Arguin). Especially noted are its wintering waterfowl, which number over 500.000. The park also is the habitat of the endangered Spanish lynx, Adalbert’s eagle, marbled teal and white-headed duck.
Limited access with guides & four-wheel drive or boat trips. (80km away, North East of Jerez).
Suggested websites (also in English):
http://www.discoveringdonana.com
Rates include a professional English speaking local guide fully equipped (binoculars and telescope) plus transport on a four wheel drive or an appropriate vehicle for the activity of the day. No other fees required.
Advanced Tour - enjoy nature in a more relaxing way.
* Group size: Normally from 4 to 12 people. Duration of the tour: 5 hours approximately.
Type of vehicle: A 15 seated vehicle or smaller. Rate: 35€ per person. Unless you are willing to go in a group smaller than 4, in which case the total price of the tour would be of 140€. Children under 7 pay only 20€
Private Tour - open itinerary, for small groups & those interested in birdwatching/photography
* Group size: Normally from 3 to 6 people. Type of vehicle: A 8 seated vehicle or smaller. Duration of the tour: Variable. Half day of around 5 hours and full day of around 10 hours. Type of vehicle: A 8 seated vehicle or smaller.
Rate: Half day 50€ per person, full day 85€ per person. For groups smaller than 3 there is a minimum cost of 150€ for half day and 255€ for full day tours. If you are a couple, in our high season in Spring, we will offer you the option o share the tour with 2 more people in order to reduce the cost. We will not be able to guarantee that we will find them but we will do our best. It is included in the price per person a morning / afternoon coffer or drink in our half day tours and also lunch in our full day tours. Lunch will consist normally on a selection of traditional dishes in a small local restaurant.
http://www.donanavisitas.es
Visits to the interior of the Doñana National Park carried in special vehicles off-road (21 seats each), accompanied by a guía-conductor.
The duration is approximately 4 hours and will run through each and every one of the Doñana ecosystems in a same itinerary.
The price: 27 € per person for all ages.
The timetable of departures:
WINTER: from 15/09 to 30/04: 08.30 in the morning and afternoon 15.00
SUMMER: from 01/05 to 14/09: 08.30 in the morning and afternoon 17.00