Sierra de Alcaraz and Campo de Montiel

The natural park of Lagunas de Ruidera is part of the Biosphere Reserve, called “Mancha Húmeda”. considered in turn, Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention.

Regional area with environmental protection: The total protected natural surface area amounts to 88,756 ha (887.56 Km2), 24.2% of the total surface area.

There are many reasons to visit this region of more than 3,665 km2, in the southwest of the province of Albacete, bordering the provinces of Jaén and Ciudad Real.
We are the region of Albacete with the largest number of areas protected by the Junta de CLM and integrated in the Natura 200 Network, 14 in total.
Water is the great dynamizing element of our region, creator of natural spaces and creator of the great natural products that are produced here. We are one of the two regions of Spain that can say that through its lands flow the waters of 4 of the Great rivers of Spain, the Júcar, the Segura, the Guadiana and the Guadalquivir.
The great quality of our landscapes and the diversity of habitats, from the great summits of the Los Calares Natural Parkthe siliceous Dehesas and Pizorros of the Sierra del Relumbrarthe pseudo-steppe areas of El Bonilloor Wetlands such as the Ruidera Lagoons, Ojos del Arquillo or Villaverde EyesThe region is the perfect place to be surrounded by nature and natural products, such as the excellent wines, cheeses and oils that come from our lands. And of history, with visits that should not be missed if you pass through here both the Archaeological Park of Libisosa (Lezuza) or Alcaraz with one of the most spectacular historical centers of CLM.
In an area so diverse in habitats, a rich and diverse fauna and flora cannot be missing. We are one of the richest regions botanically speaking of the Peninsula, carnivorous plants such as the Pingüicula mundi, or the endangered Coyncia rupestris are just a small sample of this botanical diversity, which manifests itself in a big way at certain times of the year offering spectacles such as the spring flowering of the Jara pringosa, which dyes white the Sierra del Relumbrar.
The largest Albacete population of the most emblematic of our birds of prey, the imperial eagle, flies through our skies, and together with it, the other two large peninsular birds of prey maintain good populations here, the golden eagle and the Bonelli’s eagle. Another of the most emblematic species of Spain, the Bearded Vulture can be seen with assiduity in our skies, soon to breed in our great limestone walls of the Sierra de Alcaraz. We have good populations of steppe birds, with the great bustard perhaps the star, the largest bird with the ability to fly.
In our meadows you will be able to see the rutting of the deer, one of the most spectacular events in nature, or the rutting of the mountain goat, in our limestone or siliceous walls. In short, we are a paradise for ornithological and nature tourism.
The Alcaraz Greenway is the backbone of our region, and together with the Network of Landscape Roads allows us to know all our region in an easy way.
And be sure to look at the sky, not only to see our impressive biodiversity of birds, we are Starlight destination, our skies are certified as the cleanest in Spain, and from its network of viewpoints of the stars you can enjoy the spectacle offered by the night.