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HÄG
Furniture
Conference & activities
with product presentation
Sweden
20
4*
Hotel in Alcornocales Natural Park.
4
Äventyrsresor
Walking & Culture
The Alcornocales Natural Park "...one
of Europes ten natural wonders", David
Bellamy (Botanist & T.V. presenter)
The Alcornocales Natural Park is undoubtedly
one of the jewels of Spain's many protected
nature reserves. Covering over 170,000 hectares
this park is unique in Europe not only for
its size but for the fact that there is not
a single town, village or hamlet within its
boundaries. The density of the woodland,
the 1,000m peaks, the narrow valleys and
ridges are what has protected this area from
man's development. The Alcornocales park
is Europe's largest continuous woodland area
and coincidentally the largest oak forest
on our planet.
Due to the density of the woodland, the
proximity of both the Atlantic Ocean and
the Mediterranean Sea and the height of the
sierras, this nature reserve benefits from
its own micro-climate. Even in the harshest
of droughts the "canutos" (narrow
gorges) tinkle with the sound of fresh water.
These canutos conserve a sub-tropical habitat
unique in Europe, a dense foliage of rhododendron,
laurel, ash, birch, oak and even a rare species
of carnivorous plant. Always surprising to
the visitor is the denuded "Alcornoque" (cork
oak) whose bark is stripped in a 7 year cycle,
the two-tone trunks providing an unusual
background to the landscape. On the highlands
heather and pine dominate. Bright yellow
broom and a spectacular array of colours
light up the landscape and pink oleanders
dot the pastureland in spring.
Sadly bears and wolves are no longer a feature
of the park's wildlife. The last of these
mammals were killed only forty years ago.
Wildlife is now protected by strict measures
and red deer, roe deer and wild boar are
a common sight. The park is also home to
an astounding variety of smaller wildlife
such as otters, polecats, foxes, mongoose
and the Iberian Lynx which are occasionally
seen. On the highest peaks the population
of the elusive "Cabra Montes" (mountain
goat) is flourishing.
Overhead Griffon vultures soar on thermals.
This is only one of the many birds of prey
that live in the park. Protected by the remote
and rugged terrain, Imperial eagles, booted
eagles and Egyptian vultures soar overhead.
Smaller birds of prey include peregrine falcons,
sparrow hawks and kestrels.
Monday 02 Oct - the 'Finca de Murta'
itinerary
Leaving the Almoraima Estate we drive for 50mins. towards Los Barrios & the
main road that connects the Bay of Algeciras with Jerez de la Frontera.
About 22km. from the coast we turn off into
the Alcornocales forest (this is the part
of the forest that is directly behind the
Almoraima convent on the other side of the
hills) to the 'Finca de Murta'. Here we meet
up with the 'Arriero' who is in charge of
the mules or donkeys that will carry our
picnic supplies up the mountain. We follow
a stream bed that takes us through classic
southern mediterranean terrain of limestone
rocks washed smooth by long dried up rivers.
The woods we walk through are timeless indigenous
woodlands of holm oak, oak, wild olive, bracken & higher
up heather. The purity of the air here is
manifested in the moss & lichen that
thrive on the bark of the trees.
Having crossed through the dense woodland
area we come to an area of 'arenisca' (sandstone)
where huge towering boulders have been sculpted
away by wind & water erosion. These caves
often served as dwellings for stone age man
and later on the presence of Iron age man
is evident in the various necroplois we will
see (and lie in!).
We are walking during the time of the 'berrea'
the mating season of the red deer that inhabit
the forest and if we are lucky we will here
the roar of these beasts through the woodland.
The highest point of our walk (around 700m.)
takes us to an area of mountain panorama
where we will see the lakes of Barbate & Charco
Redondo & on a very clear day we can
look down over to the Bay of Cádiz.
Tues 03 Oct - Jimena & the Rio
Hozgarganta
Todays itinerary takes us up towards the eastern edge of the park covering
a variety of terrain that runs either along or close to the Hozgarganta
river. We start our walk near the old moorish fortress town of Jimena
de la Frontera, where we will be visiting various monuments as part of
our days walking. One of the first points of historic interest is the
18thC. aqueduct used to provide power for a now redundant iron smelting
industry in the area. All the way along our journey we will see vestiges
of old water systems, wells & canals, the water & power of the
Hozgarganta river has been harnessed since Roman times. As we make our
way along the river we climb an old path up into the old arab quarters
of Jimena & visit the remains of the magnificent arab castle standing
on Roman foundations. From here we continue along the river gradually
leaving the town behind.
Although the big rains have not yet come
the Hozgarganta has water flowing most of
the year, although in a drought year it is
almost dry. We cross the river at one point
(expect to get your feet wet!) and follow
a footpath along the river now barely visible
as the once populated river valley has now
lost most of its inhabitants. We pass through
stands of wild olive, holm oak & we will
of course see the denuded trunks of the cork
oak where if we are lucky we might see the
bright pink flesh of one of this summers
crop. We finish our days walk at the 'Acebuche'
recreational area where we will enjoy a typical
Andalucían country meal.
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