It is an amazing desert landscape in Navarra, northern Spain, called Bardenas Reales, which became a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2000. Below are some old rock dwellings which look very basic; my brother was the only person who ventured up there and said there was a load of rubbish inside some of the 'rooms' which is a shame. After this we set off on the circular route given to us by the Information Centre.
This map shows where we were over the last few days: Broto (red marker), Ainsa off to the right, then Jaca and then Bardenas Reales.
La Bardena Blanca, the most fragile part of the desert area is the middle section of the huge desert, which stretches for many kms in all directions, and part of it is in military use.
On the left, and in the photo below this one, is the rock formation known as Pisquerra, which would have been a bit more spectacular if we had been closer!
Our route was on a gravel road, which was good because it meant that people had to drive more slowly in this fragile ecosystem. In a motorhome you have to drive slower than a car due to things rattling so it took us a good few hours to do the circuit!
Of course we stopped a lot too to take photos and just look around. There are crop fields all through this desert area and I've seen photos of it looking green in the spring, but it was extremely arid when we were there. I guess there was enough moisture in the soil in spring for the wheat (or whatever) to grow, though I doubt the harvest would be very good in this kind of place.
I loved this pyramid although it doesn't seem to have a name.
Looking towards one of the most photographed rocks, called Castildetierra
The road ran right by Castildetierra, which has appeared in films though I don't know which ones, although Game of Thrones was filmed at Bardenas Reales - seems like many places in Spain that we have visited have been filmed for that show! (So much for the fragile ecosystem though, having hundreds of extras, the actors and all the film crew milling around ..... we at least kept to the roads.)
I just love this rock!
Our next destination was extremely green, in stark contrast to this landscape!
It is a stunning landscape Mandy - very stark but some of the rock formations are brilliant - I like the pyramid one too!
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the rock dwellings but a shame about the rubbish! We went to some caves turned into homes once I think it was at Kinver.
Thanks Caroline! It was stark and considering it was only June, it had dried out very quickly, however that did give far more of a desert feeling. I feel the same about the rubbish but Spain tends to be quite bad about dumping rubbish especially in lovely natural habitats. At least we didn't see any out in the open there..
DeleteWe also saw cave dwellings in the Loire Valley - fascinating.
Thanks for the introduction to these amazing rock formations! I think I must be the only person who's never seen Game of Thrones. :-D. Anyway... I had never read about Bardenas Reales so I've been Googling this morning. I wanted to know about the animals and birds there and found out there are so many of each! Deserts can be so interesting. I can just imagine how bumpy that ride was in your Motorhome, though :-)
ReplyDelete(Marianne in AZ)
Hi Marianne and thanks! Well, I wouldn't have chosen to watch Game of Thrones as it is not my thing, but Keith was engrossed and you know how it is when it is playing in the same room, you can't help but watch bits of it. Same as Lord of the Rings, and numerous other things K is into!
DeleteFunnily enough we didn't see any birds, or flowers or butterflies, but we were not walking through it, plus it was dry. I think early spring would be very different, also winter. There are some areas with small lakes/ponds too and areas with more vegetation. I think this is the most sparse area. Still, I love interesting rock formations so I loved it!
Rocks and desert always interesting. I am sure there is life there, even in the dry season, but you would need walking time to look at it.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are right, but it was such a huge place and we only had the driving time. Info online shows lots of wildlife living here. Thanks Diana.
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