Mountain Biking
Cazorla Natural Park
Cazorla, Spain
Overview
by Dana Farnsworth, Outdoor Travels
The Spanish designation, "nature park", refers to mixed use natural areas with an emphasis on recreation and conservation rather than other types of activities - they are not like National Parks in the United States. This is the largest park of its kind in Spain, and one of the premier wilderness recreation zones in western Europe, renowned throughout the continent through the many nature documentaries that have been made there. This range is the experienced hiker's and biker's paradise. Reaching about 2,200 metres (7,000 feet) in height, it is criss-crossed with hundreds of kilometres of trails that climb in and out of the lush pine forest, move along rugged cliff faces and exposed heights of land and form a lattice which provides access to virtually all of the sierra. Originally, they evolved as the mule and donkey roads and were the economic lifeblood of the sierra for thousands of years. Although not for the most part signed, they are well marked on the topographic maps.
Abundant in the forest, and regularly sighted once away from populated areas, are mountain goats, mountain sheep, wild boar and two species of deer. On the cliff faces thrive several species of eagle, falcon and vulture. And the range, because of its unusual microclimate, supports a wide variety of flora that are distinct to the area.
Besides hiking, other activities include camping (only in approved areas), fishing, hunting and mountain biking. Also, several companies offer 4x4 excursions to restricted wilderness portions of the park. The lake behind the hydroelectric dam at Tranco de Beas is being developed for watersports.
The park, measuring some 850 square miles, or 214,000 hectares, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Omni Resources carries the topographic map series for the area.
You can locate this one-of-a-kind natural wonder on your map of Spain by following the Guadalquivir River valley up from its mouth at Cádiz, at the extreme southwest corner of the Iberian peninsula, past Sevilla, Córdoba and Jaén and through the towns of Cazorla and La Iruela to its source, which is the sentimental and symbolic heart of the Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas.
There are many activities to do within the park. Trekking, biking, canoeing and repelling along with rock climbing and mountaineering are all possible. In Cazorla there are many places to hire a 4x4 to drive you deep into the park for a wonderful sight-seeing tour. There is also a possibility of hiring them to shuttle you and your bike to a spot in the park from which you may ride back. Some of these companies also offer organized rock climbing, rapelling and canoeing excursions.
City of Cazorla Overview
Situated below the Pena de los Halcones, the village's narrow and steep rising streets from an environment of beautiful architecture create a sight to behold. Two castles of Muslim origin sit perched above the city. The town is home to approximately 10,000 residents. Beer, cured ham and tapas (small plates of food) are not only predominant here, they are omnipresent; expect to enjoy the local cuisine in the form of an ever changing variety of tapas washed down with a little beer. The people of Cazorla are friendly and helpful. You'll just need to get passed their initial dour expressions to find a smiling, friendly and helpful person. Not much English is spoken here so it is a good idea to brush up on your conversational Spanish before visiting.
There are two places to rent bikes in Cazorla. One is just off the main square where busses drop people off. The other is through Tierra Aventura who also offers a great guide service.
