Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Las Bardenas Reales is a 42.500-hectare natural park of wild beauty and semi-desert landscape located in the southeast of Navarra, near Tudela. An unprecedented spectacle that, despite its barren appearance, preserves great natural values.
What is the natural park like?
Within Las Bardenas Reales we can distinguish three differentiated areas: Bardena Blanca (shows a desert landscape of eroded headlands, long extensions of plains and pronounced ravines such as Pisquerra), El Plano (a plateau approximately one hundred meters high with gentle elevations and spaces dedicated to cultivation) and the Bardena Negra (full of scrub and Aleppo pine forests that obscure the landscape. It borders Aragon and has rivers that run along the bottom of the ravines).
To observe the differences between these three areas, it is advisable to approach the viewpoints of this Biosphere Reserve. For example, the best views of Bardena Blanca are from Alto de los Aguilares.
Since 1986 three areas of Las Bardenas Reales were declared natural reserves by showing the abundance of this territory. The first is the Vedado de Eguaras which preserves the ruins of the Peñaflor castle, the second is the Rincón del Bu where the eagle owl breeds in the Bardena Blanca and the third is the Falls de la Negra in the Bardena Negra with cuts that reach the 270 meters of unevenness.
How to access the Bardenas Reales?
There are two authorized routes to access Las Bardenas Reales by car: one from the north, the track that leaves from the Carcastillo to Figarol road; another to the west, which has access to the town of Arguedas through an asphalt track. The rest of the existing accesses are only allowed for bicycles.
The visit to Las Bardenas Reales is suitable for all ages and can be carried out on your own or with professional guides. In the case of doing the route on your own, it is important to respect the rules of the natural park and not travel outside the marked itineraries. There are more than 700 kilometers of ravines, paths and tracks with various marked routes to be done on foot, on horseback, by bicycle or by motor vehicle.
Flora and fauna of the Bardenas Reales
Agricultural crops and natural vegetation make up most of the current flora of the Bardenas Reales. The sweeping plant landscape is grouped into three large classes according to its appearance: grasslands, bushes and forests. All of them determined by agricultural activities and livestock pressure.
Regarding the fauna, a large community of birds of prey such as the eagle and the eagle owl live in the Bardenas Reales, numerous species of invertebrates such as snails and crabs as well as some reptiles (Iberian lizard or ocellated lizard among others).
Image | Pixabay
Time of year to see the Bardenas Reales
Due to the extreme temperatures and the special conditions of the terrain, it is not advisable to visit on rainy days. The best time is from September to June. However, before visiting the park it is advisable to contact its information center.
Curiosities of the Bardenas Reales
This semi-desert landscape of Navarre has been a source of inspiration for writers, painters, musicians and filmmakers. Some of the films or series in which he has appeared have been Pride and Passion, Anacleto Secret Agent, The World is Never Enough or Game of Thrones.
Other plans to do in the Bardenas Reales
This Biosphere Reserve can be seen in a single day, so if your plan is to spend several days in Navarra we recommend that you visit the surroundings as they have a lot to offer: Pamplona, Tudela, the Navarra Wine Route and its wineries or the Senda Viva theme park.
Visiting the Bardenas Reales de Navarra is an unforgettable memory for the whole family. We hope that all this information helps you to enjoy the route through this incredible place.
Image | Navarra newspaper
Useful information
- It is a natural park with a semi-desert landscape of 42.500 hectares
- It is divided into three main areas: Bardena Blanca, Plano and Bardena Negra
- It is recommended to visit the Bardenas Reales from September to June
- It can be accessed by car by a route to the north and another to the west
- You can get to know the Bardenas Reales on foot, by car, by bicycle or on horseback.