Natural Park
In the southern limit of the province of Ciudad Real, we find three large natural units, whose rich landscape captivates at a glance: the Sierra Madrona massif, the Sierra de la Umbría de Alcudia and the Alcudia Valley. An extensive territory that houses important heritage values, forming a protected natural area to be discovered, the Natural Park of the Alcudia Valley and Sierra Madrona.
The geological diversity of the region promotes the conservation of ecosystems such as forests, pastures and scrublands, which are home to emblematic species such as the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle. In addition to its rich fauna, it has archaeological sites, rock art and cultural heritage related to the traditional economy. This environment offers a unique connection with rural culture and local traditions. It is a perfect destination for those looking to explore the nature and history of the area. An experience not to be missed!
The many trails and viewpoints of the Alcudia Valley and Sierra Madrona Natural Park. 150,000 hectares of almost virgin nature that will amaze you for its impressive biodiversity, good state of conservation and high landscape value.
The spectacular Starlight night skies, and bird watching, such as the Lesser Kestrel colony in the historic center of Almodóvar del Campo, the only URBAN SPA in Castilla - La Mancha.
The magnificent examples of schematic rock art such as Peña Escrita in Fuencaliente, set in unforgettable landscapes with panoramic views.
The vestiges of the important archaeological mining heritage, as witnessed by the Horcajo Mines or the famous ancient Roman city of Sisapo.
The Geopark Volcanoes of Calatrava Ciudad Real, discovering the oldest volcano of Campo de Calatrava "El Morrón de Villamayor" or hydromagmatic lagoons at the top of a mountain range as La Laguna de la Alberquilla.
The living heritage of transhumance, through its network of livestock trails, the result of a centuries-old tradition that shaped the landscape of the famous Alcudia Valley. Do not miss the opportunity to delve into its history. Discover how shepherds and flocks used to travel these ancient livestock trails, where sheep fattened by simply licking their pastures.
A sample of ecotourism points of interest where biodiversity in symbiosis with its history forms cultural landscapes full of life.
This and much more, ecotourist friend, is your destination for authentic ecotourism experiences, the Alcudia Valley and Sierra Madrona!
The presence of a continuous, extensive and diverse vegetation cover, the intricate relief, the state of conservation of the habitats and the low rate of occupation, has generated an enormous faunal richness, finding some endangered and representative species of the Mediterranean forest. In the Alcudia Valley and Sierra Madrona there are important protected areas that are essential for the conservation of emblematic species such as the Iberian imperial eagle, the black vulture, the black stork, the Iberian lynx and the Bonelli's eagle.
There is a diverse community of bats for which several micro-reserves have been declared. The water points make possible the presence of a great variety of amphibians, such as the Iberian southern spadefoot toad and the Iberian spadefoot toad, endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. Inhabit invertebrate species that are indicators of the good state of conservation of the forest masses.
It is a great refuge for numerous habitats and species of the genuine Mediterranean forest, holm oaks, cork oaks, wild olive trees, gall oaks and oaks, forming pure or mixed masses, establishing their territory according to temperature, altitude and rainfall. In the lower areas, the dehesas and majadales stand out, closely dependent on traditional silvopastoral management.
There are some species of flora that maintain in this area the only populations of Castilla - La Mancha, such as the Centaurea citricolor.
The Alcudia Valley and Sierra Madrona stands out not only for its rich and varied cultural heritage, but also for its impressive cultural framework, a clear example of our Mediterranean mountain, framed in a beautiful landscape of ridges, valleys and gorges and a mosaic of colors, where oaks, cork oaks, gall oaks and oak trees cover the terrain.
The area presents a very important number of points of geological interest of diverse nature such as gorges, canyons and fluvial clusters, natural waterfalls, seasonal or permanent wetlands, relevant quartzite rocks and crests, natural escarpments, natural cavities, volcanic forms and remarkable Pleistocene periglacial forms.
The integration of all the natural elements results in landscape units of marked personality, highlighting the Alcudia Valley and the Sierra Madrona Quintana Massif, of high ecological value.
Some geomorphological formations of high structural landscape, botanical and faunistic value are the Hoces, the result of great processes of upward erosion that have divided different landscape units, such as the Hoz del Montoro, Riofrío, Jándula, Fresneda or the Hoz de Valdoro.
Another characteristic and punctual element within this set of forms of relief modeling, is a number of volcanic buildings, the only volcanic area of the plateau, whose main nucleus is located in the Campo de Calatrava, the main base of the recent Geopark Volcanoes of Calatrava Ciudad Real. The Natural Monuments of the Volcanic Castillejos de la Bienvenida, the Volcanic Lagoon of La Alberquilla and the Alhorín Volcano stand out.
Its historical evolution defines the uniqueness of the Alcudia Valley and Sierra Madrona. The importance of its mining resources allowed the settlement of civilizations such as the Iberian or Roman, as evidenced by the important archaeological sites related to the Mining Heritage of La Bienvenida (SISAPO), Valderrepisa or Minas de Diógenes. Prior to these cultures, the region was occupied by populations from the Neolithic period that left important cave paintings, with more than 100 sites of this type. The extraordinary importance of the transhumance and the network of cattle routes allow the maintenance of uses, customs and buildings of the transhumant shepherds. Another peculiar element are the Ventas, which until the eighteenth century marked the Royal Road from Toledo to Cordoba as the Venta de la Ines.