Discover Jaen’s Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas, the biggest protected area in Spain!
The Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas encompasses 2143 km2 and 26 towns of Jaen province’s eastern side. It is Spain’s largest protected area and Europe’s second biggest area with endemic vegetable species.
This Natural Park is the birthplace of the Guadalquivir, Andalucia’s longest and most important river, which starts between the mountains of Sierra de Cazorla and Sierra del Pozo and, after going north, it turns towards the west to end its race into the Atlantic Ocean.
A wide variety of different landscapes composes its geography, from peaks higher than 2000 metres (the Cerro de la Empanada is 2107-metre high) to deep gorges, as the Pinar Negro’s depth of 150 metres; from sinkholes, as the Campos de Hernán Perea, to the semi-desert landscape of the Picos del Guadiana.
It was declared Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO in 1983 and Natural Park by the Andalusian Government in 1986. In 2006, it was inserted into the 2000 Nature Net, a net that reunites the most important European areas for the conservation of the European biodiversity.
To discover the interior of the Park, you may want to take a look at the best routes of the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas. Guided tours can provide you with some, while you can go for others all by yourself.
When to go to the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas
You can visit the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas during every season, although the best period is definitely in spring and autumn, when incredibly vivid colours and delicious smells cover the Park, in addition to mild temperatures. This features will allow you to enjoy an unforgettable experience. In fact, if you prefer to go in winter, you may come across snow and low temperatures, especially up in the hills, whereas in summer temperatures might be extremely hot to let you enjoy your trip at best.
If you want to know people with the same love as you, go in July and August, as well as during the weekends from April and October, since most visitors choose this period to enjoy their holidays here, as well as during Holy Week. If, on the other side, you prefer to enjoy the park more peacefully, go during other periods.
How to get to the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas
You can reach the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas either by bus or by car.
If you prefer to leave your car at home, know that bus companies such as Carcesa and ALSA operate daily routes between Jaen and the main cities around the Park. ALSA runs buses daily from Jaen (9€), Ubeda (4€) and Baeza (4,80€) to the town of Cazorla.
If you prefer to go by car, you can take the A319 from Cazorla, if coming from the west; if you are coming from Granada, take the A317 which passes through Puebla de Don Fadrique directed to Santiago de la Escapada. You can find various petrol stations located in the park, such as the Estación de Servicio Arroyo Perona, located on the A319, 5, and the Estación de Servicio Mirador de Cazorla, at the 21st km of A319, in the Carretera de la Sierra, 21.
Visitor Centre of the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas
The main visitor centre of the Park is the Centro de Interpretación Torre del Vinagre, located at Torre del Vinagre. Here, you will be offered an overview of the complex ecosystems of the Natural Park for free, in the four halls adapted to this goal. The most important one is the Sala de Interpretación (Interpretation Hall), where you can discover the Natural Park, its geography and geology, the wildlife and flora that lives there, the ecology and how it is being preserved.
Opening hours of the Visitor Centre Torre del Vinagre:
- July and August, from 10 am to 2 pm, and from 5 pm to 8 pm
- The rest of the year, from 10 am to 2 pm, and from 4 pm to 7 pm
Places to stay near the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas
After spending the day wandering and discovering the magnificence of the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas, you deserve a relaxing place to recharge batteries. Choose one of the best holiday homes in the surrounding area of the Sierra de Cazorla, in Jaen. They won’t deceive you!
The Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas must be on your to-do list of Jaen.
Have you ever been to the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas? Are you looking forward to visiting it? Have you already visited any other natural park of Andalucia? Tell us in the comments!
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