SIERRA DE GREDOS REGIONAL PARK
Come and see the best preserved glacier in southern Europe.
Meet the captivating beauty of the Regional Park of the Sierra de Gredos in the province of Avila, in the south of Castilla y Leon. It was converted into a natural reserve on July 22, 1996 and has 86,236 hectares. This paradisiacal corner is an exceptional experience with a great biodiversity: from serene lakes to majestic mountains, the Sierra de Gredos is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna .
Explore its wonders at any time of the year to enjoy the park's ever-changing beauty. The park's Casas act as guides through this natural treasure, while amenities, such as available parking, make your visit even more comfortable to fully enjoy your surroundings.
The Sierra de Gredos stands out as the main core of the Central System, with imposing granite formations that exceed 2500 meters high. Occupying the southernmost part of the Province of Avila, it serves as a natural border with several regions. This protected area, under the figure of Regional Park, preserves special natural values and ecosystems of maximum relevance.
The landscapes have high contrasts, from picturesque livestock agro-landscapes on the north side to lush forest and agricultural landscapes on the south side. Discover splendid examples of traditional architecture, with granite stone and wood, adding to the cultural experience. Admire the best-preserved glacial modeling in southern Europe, with 41 glaciers counted.
Experience the wonderful contrast between the snow-covered granitic peaks and the lowlands with lush pine forests. Water plays a significant role in the park, with glacial lakes, streams, gorges, rivers and turrets that maintain an extraordinary degree of purity. The Sierra de Gredos, located in the center of the plateau and culminating with the Almanzor peak, offers a magnificent high mountain landscape.
The heart of the park is the cirque of Gredos, where the famous large lagoon surrounded by a magical environment captivates visitors. The varied vegetation is distributed according to altitude, from alpine grasslands and piornales in high areas to pine forests such as pinus sylvestris and pinus pinaster in low areas. More than 1,500 species, such as snapdragon's mouth and Gredos chamomile, enrich the flora, and the flowering of the piorno is celebrated annually with the "Festival del Piorno en Flor".
The fauna, rich in species, counts more than 230, including the comiza barbel, the pardilla, the Almanzor salamander, the Gredos toad, the imperial eagle, the black vulture, the black stork, the mountain goat and the Avila snow vole.
For more information about the Sierra de Gredos Regional Park you can visit: https://patrimonionatural.org/espacios-naturales/parque-regional/parque-regional-sierra-de-gredos