|  This 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.
These parks are strictly controlled in terms
of the numbers of people allowed access
daily. In Grazalema some routes are limited
to only 30 people per day while in the
Alcornocales large areas are closed to
the public due to fire risk in the height
of the summer. If we have supplied you
with a permit for a particular day please
carry it with you as you may be stopped
by a forest warden. Some specific routes
are restricted to accredited guides only
due to the sensitivity of the eco-system
of the area.
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