Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park
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Lagunas de Ruidera - by dfespi from Pixabay
Description
Lagunas de Ruidera is a natural park located in the Spanish La Mancha plain, across the Albacete and Ciudad Real provinces. It covers about 38km2 and features a string of 15 lagoons and a manmade reservoir connected by streams, falls and subterranean flows in the valley of Upper Guadiana River. It houses a diverse faune and flora, including a large number of bird species. Details available here (in Spanish): http://www.lagunasderuidera.es/fauna_elparque_44.html Visitors can enjoy various walking and cycling tracks as well as some bathing areas. Trivia: the Cueva de Montesinos featured in Don Quixote is situated here and so is the house of the King in the village of Ruidera.
Access & Transport
The main access points are through the villages of Ossa de Montiel and Ruidera. Those are 95km to the west of Albacete on the N-430 and 110km east of Ciudad Real on the A-43/N-430 respectively.
Instructions & Recommendations
The park makes available 4x4 and guided visits for those interested. Link to the various trails/itineraries description: http://www.lagunasderuidera.es/itinerarios-del-parque_lavisita_52.html This activity can be combined with a trip to the village of Villanueva de los Infantes to the south of the park.
Environmental & Social
Natural parks help preserve biodiversity and almost all activities are eco-friendly. Tourism brings some economic activity to the surrounding villages.
Conclusion
The natural park of Lagunas de Ruidera is a wonderful and leisurely way to discover more about the local ecosystems whilst enjoying a good walk or swim. An ideal option (and a change from churches and castles) for those who prefer slow travel and are designing a Castile-La Mancha itinerary
Key positive
Very picturesque
Several activities possible and not busy
Key negative
None
Suitability
Suitable for all ages. Visitors with reduced mobility will be able to discover most of the area using a 4x4 but will not be able to use all walking paths
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
June 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h 30m
est. visit time:4h
Sunrise / early morningOk
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightNo
Night – aft. midnightNo