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Description
The huge Cabañeros national park lies in the heart of Spain. The area is very sparsely populated and is one of the few areas in Western Europe that is truly wild. With the wildlife to match it! The park hosts the world's second largest colony of Eurasian Black Vulture (286 pairs in 2019), a healthy population of Spanish Eagle, Great Bustard and many more endangered species! It is one of the few places in the world where nearly all the typical species of the mediterranean ecosystem still occur. Amongst the mammals, the Iberian lynx (rarest wild cat in the world) has a growing population in these hills and red deer is very numerous (especially on the Raña). All in all, plenty of reason to visit!
This route consists of 2 main areas: the scrubby and wooded heart of the National Park and the Raña savannah just outside the parks borders. On the route through the heart of the park, you can expect to see the typical species of the Spanish heartland "Monte". Eurasian Black Vulture breeds, so does Spanish Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Red-legged Partridge, Eurasian Hoopoe, Western Orphean Warbler, Golden Oriole and many more species. This is also the part of the area where the Iberian lynx occurs, but chances of actually seeing one are pretty much zero. This area does not have viewpoints, but it is very possible to pull up along the road and scan the area. Check the skies especially carefully for raptors (all characteristic species may be seen).
The second part takes you over the Raña, starting from Santa Quiteria in the direction of Casa Palillos (the second visitor centre). Again you can stop along the road to scan the steppes, but there is also an observatory (Observatorio de Cigüeñas) from which you can see White Stork, red deer and steppe birds. At the visitor's centre there is also an observation platform and -tower. The main species here are: Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Stone-curlew, White Stork, Iberian Magpie as well as several raptors; Griffon Vulture come down from the mountains to feed, sometimes joined by Eurasian Black Vulture or Egyptian Vulture. Spanish Eagle, Golden Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Booted Eagle and several harriers may be seen as well. In winter and autumn, Common Crane is very numerous and may be seen feeding on the acorns underneath the holm oaks.
Details
Access
The first half of the route is about 30 km long and starts in Retuerta del Bullaque and ends at the Visitor's centre in Horcajo de Los Montes. Follow the road south, straight through the heart of the National Park. Stop anywhere you like and can to look for birds of prey.
The second part is about 8 km long and takes you over the Raña, starting from Santa Quiteria in the direction of Casa Palillos (the second visitor centre). Again you can stop along the road to scan the steppes, but there is also an observatory (Observatorio de Cigüeñas) from which you can see white storks, red deer and steppe birds. At the visitor's centre there is also an observation platform and -tower where you can again look for steppe birds, big game and raptors.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Plain , Mountain , Steppe , Agriculture , Grassland , Scattered trees and bushesConditions
Mountainous , No shadow , Hilly , Dry , Open landscape , DustyCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , Autumn , SpringRoute
Paved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Car , BicycleBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
Note that this is an area of extremes: summers are very hot and winters very cold. Dress accordingly!