Located between Madrid and Valencia, almost in the center of the Iberian Peninsula, the province of Cuenca stands as a great destination for ecotourism and inland tourism .

 

Despite the belief that nature in Castilla-La Mancha is monotonous and poor, the truth is that Cuenca has a surprising diversity of landscapes. From the mountains to the plains of La Mancha, there are more than 20 protected natural areas that offer visitors different options to get to know the same land.

 

To enjoy the inner tourism in Cuenca , it is best to establish the base camp in its capital, a World Heritage city that is practically in the center of the province. The city has taken advantage of the space on the sickles of the two rivers that cross it, the Júcar and the Huécar, to project its layout. One of the most representative images of Cuenca is that of its "hanging houses" on the Huécar river.

 

Around the city, the different natural regions are distributed. To the northwest, the Alcarria Conquense, an area of ​​wide valleys and little marked reliefs. Among the most outstanding places in this area are the Sierra de Altomira and the Estrecho de Priego, both listed as Special Bird Protection Area. The most adventurous will find there the Via Ferrata de Priego, which offers excitement and sensations of vertigo.

 

To the southwest is the region of La Mancha, characterized by an extensive plain. In spite of treating, in general, of a flat and quite dry land, in her they are important humedales, like the lagoons of the Hito or of Manjavaca. In La Mancha Húmeda, bird lovers will be able to photograph a large number of aquatic species.

 

However, perhaps the Serrania de Cuenca is the region with the greatest variety of landscapes and attractions. The Serrania extends throughout the northeast of the province and alternates high mountain landscapes, imposing gorges, torques and impressive geological formations. In addition, its flora and fauna are very diverse, and one of the star activities in this area is, for example, the hearing of the bellowing.

 

Among the essential places of the Serranía are the Ciudad Encantada, the birth of the Cuervo River, the Hunting Park of the Hosquillo or the Torcas de Palancares. All of them are full of charm, which invite to hiking and contemplation of nature. Well, if something is transmitted to us by Cuenca, it is the desire to discover.

1. Dream places

The Enchanted City is probably the most famous spot in the province of Cuenca. A huge canyon that water, wind and time have modeled with impossible shapes; where to let the imagination fly between boats, giant and elephants.

 

But it is not the only place with these characteristics in Cuenca. Although much less known, the Callejones de las Majadas also invite a dreamlike journey through its labyrinthine streets, full of squares, bridges and stone arches.

 

 

 

On its journey through the Serrania, the Júcar River offers several possibilities to enjoy the adventure in contact with the water. You can enjoy canoeing in the quieter sections, surrounded by vegetation and with the only sound of birdsong as a companion. Or launch yourself to a more exciting adventure practicing canyoning in the Ventano del Diablo. Guaranteed fun!

 

 

 

The Serrania de Cuenca is beautiful on the outside and inside. Its limestone composition has favored that in it there are a good number of caves, many of them can be visited. The caving activities will allow you to know the interior of this fantastic land through galleries, passageways and rooms full of stalactites and stalagmites. A whole underground world waiting to be discovered.

 

 

 

The nature of Cuenca can not be understood without knowing the ties that bind it to its culture. And is that people from the villages of the Serrania have always been in contact with the natural environment, either by the work of the field they made or the different uses that were given to the plants. Therefore, hiking can also help us understand this culture. Stroll through the beautiful villages full of charm of the Serrania and talk to its residents. They, better than anyone, know the land that you tread.

 

 

 

The presence of other inhabitants of the Serrania is notorious when the fall arrives. Deer and deer claim their territory during the heat, between September and October, with their characteristic sounds. With the help of local guides you will be able to know and interpret the bellowing of the deer and the snook of the fallow deer in this privileged enclave that is the mountain range of Cuenca.

 

 

 

In addition to the aforementioned lagoons of La Mancha Húmeda, where there are abundant shorebirds and flamingos, other important observation points can be found throughout the province. In various areas of the Serrania, for example, raptors are abundant, such as the griffon vulture, peregrine falcon or the golden eagle. In addition, there are many other ZEPA zones throughout the province.

 

The best thing is that you take your binoculars and dedicate yourself to explore this magnificent region without haste.