In the October edition of the Seaside Gazette we published an excursion guide to the Sierra de La Sagra Natural Park.
Sierra de la Sagra Natural Park
The park has the highest peak in Andalucia after the Sierra Nevada and lies behind the Cazorla & La Sierra de Segura, in the far north of the province of Granada.
The surrounding landscape is one of marked contrasts, ranging from almost steppe-like vegetation in some areas to pine and holm-oak forests. It comprises 70,000 hectares, abundant in fauna (especially birds)and flora. Depending on the year, its summit and slopes remain covered with snow during late autumn, winter, and early spring.
Hanging-Bridge Route in Quéntar
The natural park is in the north of the province of Granada, between the municipalities of Huéscar and Puebla de Don Fadrique. It reaches an altitude of 2,383 metres at its highest point, making it visible from several kilometres away. Its neighbour, La Guillimona (2,064m), in the mountain range that gives it its name, is the closest.
With steep slopes covered in thick forests of black pine (also known as laricio or negral), a forest track on its western side provides access to the summit, from where on clear days the Almería coastline can be seen in the distance.
Its flora includes holm-oak forests at the foot of the mountain. In its wetter areas, specimens of the Aleppo or Valencian oak can be found. Further up, the black pine takes over.
A Piece of Yosemite in Granada
Without a doubt, the most striking tree specimen in La Sagra is the sequoia. They are found on a private estate, on the road that connects Huéscar with the A-317 (a road that leads from Puebla de Don Fadrique to Santiago de la Espada).
They are a rarity that has grown here for 150 years and thousands of miles from their North American ancestors. Curiously, the sequoia is a species of Californian origin that lives mainly in Yosemite National Park, in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.
The tallest specimens, in their American version, reach more than 100 metres. The sequoia trees in Huesca are young compared to the others, but in some cases they reach 70 metres in height. To give an idea of their height, they measure approximately the size of a 22-storey building. The tallest building in Granada is the San Lázaro watchtower, which measures 65 metres with its 19 floors.
It was Rafael de Bustos Sagade, 7th Marquis of Corvera, who brought the sequoia seedlings to Huéscar. They were among the first specimens to enter Europe. In Spain, in fact, they can only be seen in Cantabria and Galicia, although they were planted later, are considerably smaller.
The ones in La Sagra are so large that up to seven people are needed to embrace their trunk. And that’s despite the fact that they are still relatively young specimens for this species, considering that in the US there are trees estimated to be between 1,200 and 1,800-years old. Sequoia are known as Mariantonias, a popular name whose origin has a couple of theories.
The San Clemente Reservoir
Yet, the sequoias aren’t La Sagra’s only attraction. About 20 kilometres from La Losa Estate where the trees are, is the San Clemente Reservoir, which was created in 1990 above the town of the same name. The Guardal River, a tributary of the Guadiana Menor, is responsible for bringing water there. It is a confluence of two rivers, the Guardal and the Bravatas, the latter of which begins in the Sierra de la Sagra itself, in Fuente de Montilla, at an altitude of about 1,750 metres, providing the largest contribution.
The reservoir covers an area of 622 hectares and its maximum capacity is 117 cu/hm contained behind a dam 92 metres high.
Near the reservoir are cultural sites such as the Carlos III Canal, the La Reina Dam, the Puente de las Ánimas, and Los Pilares (remains of an ancient aqueduct).
The construction of the reservoir flooded the urban centre of the village of San Clemente, with approximately 680 inhabitants, and the small plain along the Guardal River. Its construction not only led to the disappearance of the village, but also to the relocation of its inhabitants to the so-called Barrio Nuevo de San Clemente.
In addition to irrigation, the reservoir’s main use is recreational (fishing, swimming, and boating). There are designated areas, and sports such as canoeing, mountain biking, and hiking are available.
According to the WWF, this is a large dam that holds very little water due to geological problems. The average amount of water stored over the last eight years is 11 cu/hm or less than 10% of its capacity, despite the fact that nearby reservoirs have maintained reasonable volumes during this period (Negratín reservoir: 66%; El Portillo: 47%, and in the last four years it has not dropped below 84%). The cause apparently stems from the geological characteristics of the floodplain, where water infiltration occurs.
La Sagra Astronomical Observatory
The privately owned Astronomical Observatory is located on the north side of La Sagra in the municipality of Puebla de Don Fadrique. Its management, however, is the responsibility of the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalucía. It was inaugurated on June the 14th, 2004, as a result of a collaboration agreement between the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalucía, part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and the Astronomical Observatory of Mallorca (OAM). Whenever we report a meteor sighting, it involves this tracking station.
Sited on the Collados de La Sagra, at an altitude of 1,530m, (approximately 85km from the Calar Alto Observatory, in Almería), it is one of the few natural environments in Spain with good meteorology; clear skies, and very low levels of light pollution.
It consists of the telescope control centre, a residence for astronomers, and three domes that house the survey telescopes (reflectors measuring 30 to 40cm in diameter); a fourth dome with a 45cm reflector was added in 2007.
Natural Refuge: Its Fauna
The Sierra de la Sagra is a natural refuge for species such as the griffon vulture, vipers, Bonelli’s eagles, wild cats, eagle owls, hares, and wild boars, with many interesting invertebrates, including butterflies and beetles, amongst them its most prized natural assets. This entomological importance has led to its recognition as an Area of Interest for the Conservation of Invertebrates in Andalucía (ZICI), which also includes the Cazorla and Castril natural parks.
Iberian ibex and deer also inhabit the area, as do nearly twenty different species of bats. Amongst the scavanger birds, in addition to the griffon vulture, you can also see Egyptian vultures and bearded vultures, and other raptors such as the golden eagle and the peregrine falcon. Amphibians, reptiles, and lepidopterans, as well as a variety of fauna associated with its rivers (brown trout, falcon, and otter), complete the diversity of La Sagra’s fauna.
What to Do in La Sagra?
Nature adventures are one of the main attractions of the La Sagra Natural Park. You can take hiking trails, for example, to the Aceral de los Vaquerizos or to the Púlpito de la Sagra; a hanging ledge amidst vertical walls with spectacular views of the Granada Geopark.
This route is recommended to be done with specialised guides if you are unfamiliar with the area, as it runs through steep and sometimes vertical sections. Another option is to climb to the top of the pass and enjoy incredible landscapes among centuries-old black pines that have grown on the limestone rock and whose shapes, sculptures by the wind, are worthy of photographing.
La Sagra also has numerous barrancos and caves. Some can be entered, but always with the necessary safety precautions. The Cueva del Agua is the best known.
And if you just want peace and quiet and a day surrounded by nature, at the foot of La Sagra is the Paraje de las Santas. Pure nature with varied vegetation and the Bravatas River that runs through this area. Here you’ll find the Hermitage de Las Santas, and next to it, a large recreational area covered in trees.
(Feature/Excursion, Sierra de La Sagra)
Excursion: Natural Park, Sierra de La Sagra, Redwoods, San Clemente Reservoir, Granada Geopark, Hanging Bridge, Quentar, Sierra de Segura
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