Cabañeros National Park

What you will find

There is something for you at Cabañeros in every season. Visit during autumn, when the oak leaves start to burnish, or in spring, when the fields begin to adorn themselves in green. The park transforms throughout the year into an idyllic destination where you'll experience the irresistible pull of nature.Divided into two contrasting areas: the lowlands and the mountain range, Cabañeros is known for its varied landscape. The first abounds with lush vegetation and holly oaks, where cattle are put out to pasture and the birds from the plain, such as swans and bustards make their habitat. The second consists of craggy outcrops and rocks, home to black vultures, golden eagles and a haven for large mammals.Oak trees appear amongst the rocks together with elements from the mountain foothills, such as the heather and rockrose that typify this unique scenery. All of which provides the perfect habitat for the park's large mammals.  Numerous streams and rivers also flow across Cabañeros. These water courses flow more heavily in autumn and spring, transforming the area into a captivating mosaic of flowers.

Routes around the Park

There are 16 hiking routes, which you can find out about at the tourist information points. None are particularly demanding but in the hotter months of the year it is a good idea to avoid hiking during the middle of the day.There are also tours in four-wheel-drive vehicles. There are stops along the route at viewpoints and observatories.  Other options include exploring two of the routes by bicycle, or if you book in advance, you can take some of them on horseback.Map of Cabañeros National Park

Don't leave without...

Stopping to try some of the local dishes. Gachas and migas are excellent choices to sample this region's cuisine, typical of Castilla-La Mancha. In any of the six villages within in the park, you will find traditional restaurants where you can try these specialities, originally cooked by shepherds.You can also discover first hand, what life used to be like in these areas. Two ethnographic museums, in Alcoba and Horcajo de los Montes, explain how the region has evolved over the last two centuries, and the role the Cabañeros park has played.For astronomy lovers, the night sky here is another must-see. The clear, starry skies mean that several areas in the park become stunning natural observatories, especially in spring and summer.