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The Door To Andalucia
n the northernmost part of narrow passes is breathtaking. On
Andalusia, between Jaen and the other hand, the hiker leaving
Ciudad Real, where the park finds that in the space
Andalusia begins, we find a of only a few kilometers these
Natural Park, which is unequalled forceful montains are now behind
amongst the natural parks of him, and that suddenly a gentle,
Andalusia. easy Castilian landscape lies
ahead.
Its history is ingraved in its
landscape, and is well The area is is the pass between
illustrated in books and stories, Andalusia and the rest of the
in common expressions, and also peninsula. In few places is your
physically in the many entry and departure so well
archeological sites, paintings defined. A place of history, a
and sculptures found here. These, place full of rocky cliffs and
and the richness of nature in its crags, a frontier, and more, the
rugged and hard terrains makes it list could go on forever with the
a deserving subject for ideals this place cojures up in
conservation. This natural and the imagination. However, it is
historical wealth is a heritage necessary to travel here to
for the future. The Natural Park, appreciate the range of images
with an area of 6.000 hectares, that can be seen in the changing
situated in the Sierra Morena, is vista from the highway.
one of the most spectacularly
beautiful landscapes that exist In this area, the town of Santa
in Andalusia. For the hiker or Elena can be found, a place which
tourist entering the park after the visitor really should visit.
the smooth plains of the central Although this is inside a natural
peninsual, the sudden dramatic park of great ecological value,
panorama of the mountains and it has also been for centuries an
axis of meeting points between Any tourist will be more than
Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha. rewarded by a visit there and
A strong sense of its special will be able to observe in these
omportance is expressed in the forests the blend of holm oak,
history of this place. cork, gall oak, and pine, to
mention only a few species among
The national park was formed by a the natural wealth of this
large fracture in the surface of mountain range. Below the trees,
the earth where the slow erosion is an undergrowth of
of the river has formed the great mediterranean origin, with plants
narrow passes through the slate such as madrona bushes, mastic
of the Sierra and has broken up bushes, and myrtle. The wildlife
the uniformity of the Sierras, living here include the wolf, the
through which, in its course, lynx, the deer, the wild boar and
leasds the Valley of the the marten, to name just a few.
Guadalquivir. They have evolved here in perfect
equilibrium in a rich diversity
Their position in the northern of species in spite of the
border of Andalucia, gives these proximity of human civilization.
mountains considerable rainfall. The skies, too, are worth more
The combination of the natural than a mere glance, as here you
form of the rocks and the can observe such birds as the
rainswater endows this land with lion vulture, and the beautiful
its vitality and vigor. With imperial eagle.
heights of more than 1.000 metres
and because of he geological Access to the park is principally
break between the Meseta and the via the Motorway of Andalusia
valley of the Guadalquivir, a which leads te Santa Elena, from
natural bioversity exists. where your route can be decided.
You can travel through some of
the narrow passes of the River or fulfillment, Santa Elena and La
by going on foot across the Carolina being central to the
Arroyo del Rey (The King's practice.
Stream) or, perhaps, taking the
road to the Aldea de Miranda del Few natural places of this size
Rey (Village of Miranda del Rey). can offer the tourist so much.
Wildlife, hunting, spectacular
Inside the park and just after views, as well as its own special
crossing the pass in the north, historical features. Near Santa
is the zone of the Correderas. Elena is one of the jewels of
From here, the road going in the Iberian archeology, the Collado
direction of Aldeaquemada leads de los Jardines (Collado of the
to the interior of the sierras. Gardens). In the middle of the
On entering this area of natural Sierras is one of the most
beauty one should perhaps be interesting Iberian sancturies
prepared to pause and absorb at known, and nearby, an
leisure the geological formations archeological site, The Cave of
that nature has created. Deep the Dolis with its valuable cave
ravines, stark, vertical faces paintings.
and diverse eroded forms shape
the landscape. Another place of interest to
visit, though not within the
Speaking of areas of natural park's borders, is the Paraje
beauty, we must not forget that Natural (Natural Place) known for
there are also those who consider la Cascada de la Cimbarra (The
this area to be a real hunter's Waterfall of the Cimbarra). It
paradise as well. For a long time can be reached via the Motorway
this has been a major hunting of Andalusia via Aldeaquemada or
ground where hunting practices from Santa Elena which also leads
have had an almost ritual to Aldeaquemada.
In mid sierra, due to the erosion This area has become, over the
of the strong hard slate, the centuries, through the richness
River Guadalquivir appears to be of its wildlife and natural
completely enclosed, creating beauty, a unique place on the map
mighty cliffs, from where various of Andalusia and the Iberian
waterfalls originate, the most peninsula as a whole.
spectacular being La Cimbarra.
The combination of natural
factors here make it a place to palate with their delicious align="center"> flavours and aromas.
About the Author:
With more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry Rudi van der Zalm is the founder of one of Europe's most popular websites for rural holiday accommodation in Spain. A wide selection of country houses and lodgings can be found at www.rural-tour.com Published At: www.Isnare.com |
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