Spain's National Parks - one of Spains main attractions

Large areas of Spain have been set aside as national parks, which are one of Spain's main attractions. These parks exist in a sometimes comfortable, sometimes uneasy relationship to human settlement. Both the marvelous diversity of wild Spain - and the tension between wild Spain and settled Spain - can be seen in three amazing national parks.

Ordesa National Park

Ordesa National Park is the 'mother' of Spain's national park system. Set aside in 1918 by royal decree, the park has been progressively expanded to include more than 56,000 acres of lush valley forests and meadows, steep limestone slopes and delicate alpine reaches. The park was set up specifically to protect the ibex, a wild goat. The valley shelters 171 species of birds - including golden eagles, griffon vultures and alpine finches, 32 mammals - including wild boar, otters and foxes, eight species of reptiles and five amphibians. Ordesa also offers a variety of hiking opportunities, from the relatively short and easy to the very challenging.

Valle de Covadonga

Montaia de Covadonga

This park, set aside in 1918 and spread over 230,000 acres, is the largest national park in Europe. Covadonga is in the Picos de Europa, a limestone mountain range along Spain's north Atlantic coast. Glacial activity, and the effects of constant precipitation, have carved drama into the mountains - cirques, sinkholes, alpine lakes, columns, and underneath the surface, networks of caverns. Many caves and caverns feature prehistoric paintings. The valleys of Covadonga are wonders of biodiversity, and are home to 40 species of orchids, plus many other wildflowers, including fritillaries, jonquils, and dogtooth violets. A full third of European butterfly species are found here. Flying above the butterflies are an amazing variety of song birds and, especially, raptors. Mammals are another glory of the park. Of particular note are the last herds of wild horses. Also to be seen are wild boar, chamois, red deer, and Pyrennean desman.

Donana National Park

For years this was a mostly uninhabited royal hunting reserve. In 1969, the land became a national park, taking in 180,000 acres. For many migrating birds, Donana is the meeting ground between Africa and Europe. Northern European birds stop off here on their way to Africa, and African birds sojourn here, frequently to nest. Special highlights include flocks of flamingoes, breeding pairs of Imperial eagles and spoonbills. The park is also home to the last surviving lynxes in southern Europe, and many red deer.

Tablas de Daimiel

Tablas de Daimiel National Park serves as a rest stop for many migrating and aquatic birds. Over 200 different bird species can be observed.

Canadas del Teide

Canadas del Teide National Park is located on the island of Tenerife. The park has many lakes and steep slopes. Teide Mountain, of volcanic origin, is 3,717 meters high and snowcapped in contrast to the subtropical climate of the island. Among the rich flora are 50 autoctonous species, some of which grow exclusively in this park.

Timanfaya National Park

Timanfaya National Park is located on the island of Lanzarote. It consists of relatively recently formed volcanic formations from the 18th and 19th centuries. There are also some autoctonous plant species among its sparse flora. Among its animal species is the Haria lizard.

Caldera de Taburiente

Caldera de Taburiente National Park is located on the island of La Palma. It consists of a giant caldera formed by erosion, with a depth of between 600 and 900 meters and rims that rise up to some 2,400 metres.

Garajonay

Garajonay National Park is located on the island of Gomera. With its breathtakingly beautiful forest, it is classed as a UNESCO world heritage site. It has the most important laurisylvan forests remaining on the Canary Archipelago.

Maritimo-Terrestre

Maritimo-Terrestre National Park of the Cabrera Archipelago is the largest non-populated island in the Mediterranean. Regarding fauna, the Eleonor falcon is abundant, and there are autochthonous wall lizards and flocks of sea birds.

Back 16.04.2006.