Information on the Sierra de Gredos, Central
Spain
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The Gredos Regional Park (Parque Regional de la Sierra de Gredos) was established in 1996 and covers 86,236 hectares of the central Gredos. All of the major Gredos peaks lie within the Regional Park. This, along with the wealth of flora and fauna, make the park an exciting and interesting destination for naturalists, mountaineers, walkers, ornithologists and those just looking for outstanding, unspoilt mountain scenery. Extending from Serranillos in the east to Tornavacas in the west, and from Candeleda in the south to Hoyos del Espino in the north, the park encompasses a wide range of terrain and scenery. One can find examples of all that the Sierra de Gredos has to offer: alpine meadows, glacial cirques, sub tropical slopes and plunging granite crags. For the naturalist there are certain species that are unique to the Regional Park such as the Almanzor salamanda (Salamandra salamandra almanzoris) and the Gredos toad (Bufo bufo gredosicola). The following information has been translated from "Parque Regional Sierra de Gredos" - Red de Espacios Naturales de Castilla y León - published by the Junta de Castilla y León, The Sierra de Gredos is one of Castilla y Leon’s Protected Natural Areas. It is the principal nucleus of the Cordillera /Sistema Central, the mountain range that runs Northeast to Southwest across the centre of Spain. The cold periods of the Quaternary era formed the lakes, cirques, gorges and moraines of Gredos, the best preserved glacial formations in the south of Europe. The vegetation, distributed according to altitude, goes from alpine pastures and piornal (areas of yellow and white broom and rock) near the higher peaks to forests of deciduous and evergreen oaks in the lower altitudes. It has a flora and fauna rich in endemic and relict species as a result of its populational isolation. Natural Protected Areas – rural areas with special natural value which should be preserved using sustainable development. In this way, the aim is to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of these areas with their participation, preserving traditional methods and ways of life whilst ensuring the natural resources for future generations. Parque Regional/Regional Park – areas within which ecosystems exist that have not significantly been affected by man and that have maximum relevance to the natural environment of Castilla y Leon, thus making the protection of these areas necessary. Background – For a long time the central area of Gredos has been protected for hunting. A record of this is contained in the “Libro de la Montería” dated in the 14th Century. In the 20th Century King Alfonso XIII declared this part of the Gredos mountains a Royal Hunting Ground (Coto Real) which was later converted to a National Hunting Reserve by Franco, whose hunting lodge is now the National Parador of Gredos near Navarredonda (it has now been considerably extended). As well as having been declared a Protected Area in 1995, a Regional Park in 1996, it is also designated a ZEPA (Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves = SPA, Special Protection Area for Birds), under the European Union 1979 Birds Directive that identified endangered species of birds. Also as part of the EU Nature Protection Policy the 1992 Habitats Directive aims to protect natural habitats of wild flora and fauna as Sites of European Importance and the Gredos Regional Park is likely to be so designated (LIC). These 2 directives from the EU programme to protect biodiversity within the community together are known as Natura 2000. See here for the relevant EU web site. Casa del Parque – Information centres in the Gredos Regional Park, one situated just outside Hoyos del Espino and the other on the south side in Guisando. Open every day except Tuesdays. Áreas Recreativas – specially designated recreation areas usually with tables and seats, possibly also barbecues, swimming areas and small outdoor bars. Walking Routes – apart from the traditional animal husbandry/farm routes (trashumancia included) and mountain routes, the Park authorities are in the process of signing 20 walking routes designated PR = pequeña recorrido (short route, yellow and white stripes, details below under Sendas). There is already signed a large section of GR10 (Gran Recorrido Walk from Valencia to Lisbon, red and white stripes) which traverses Gredos. Country Code
Advice
For more detailed advice re the possible dangers click here. Sendas (Signed Walking Routes). Visit this link. Unfortunately all information is still currently in Spanish only. If you would like a translation please see www.vivagredos.com Pequeño recorridos signed with yellow and white stripes. Gran recorridos signed with red and white stripes.
Casa del Parque, “Pinos Cimeros”, Hoyos del Espino. (0034) 920 349204 Casa del Parque, “El Risquillo”, Guisando. (0034) 920 374162 Junta de Castilla y León, Servicio Territorial de Medio Ambiente (Environment), Protected Natural Areas and Species Section (0034) 920 355168 Tourist Information Castille and León (0034) 920 203030 www.jcyl.es/turismo
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