baños-de-montemayor-pantano

Aquatic Landscapes

by NatureNature Ambroz

Aquatic Landscapes

Explore our reservoirs and rivers from the shore or in a canoe.

  • Location: Embalse de Baños de Montemayor, Abadía, Aldeanueva del Camino.

The Ambroz Valley is a water-rich territory with numerous bodies of water. Some of the tree formations in the Ambroz Valley, known as “gallery forests”, are made up of ash trees, alders, poplars, willows, and shrubs like hawthorn, rush, and bramble. In these forests it is common to see species such as the common blackbird, the Eurasian nuthatch, the short-toed treecreeper and the golden oriole. It’s also possible to encounter species such as the kingfisher, otter, or even the elusive Pyrenean desman in the upper reaches of the waterways.

Observe the ducks and cormorants on the Baños de Montemayor Reservoir or enjoy a kayak or paddleboarding excursion.

Fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines in the hopes of catching a barbel, carp, pike and maybe even a black bass.

castañar-destacada

Among chestnut and oak woods

by NatureNature Ambroz

Among chestnut and oak woods

Ascend to another level and discover the majesty of the landscape brimming with chestnut and oak trees with every step you take.

  • Location: Segura de Toro, Hervás, Baños de Montemayor, La Garganta, Gargantilla.

The deciduous forests of Pyrenean oaks and chestnut trees in the mountains display a brilliant palette of colours, especially in autumn. These forests also serve as a summer refuge for birds such as the European honey buzzard.

The jewels in the crown of this land are the chestnut trees in El Temblar, Segura de Toro; the chestnut trees in Corbiche and La Marotera, Casas del Monte; and the Gallego and Duque chestnut forest in Hervás. As designated noble trees and protected landscapes, they all receive special protection.

Autumn is the season when visitors can witness one of the most breathtaking spectacles our land has to offer, when vast expanses of leaves transform into a mesmerising tapestry of crimson and gold. Experience our Magical Autumn, which happens every year. This is the season when the Ambroz Valley bursts into an explosion of colour. Magical Autumn, a Festival of International Tourist Interest, celebrates the wonders of nature by offering a multitude of activities for all ages to enjoy across our eight charming villages.

Plan your trip now and be sure to capture a panoramic photo from the incredible Canchal de la Cigüeña in Segura de Toro. It’s a good way to immortalise your memories in the Ambroz Valley.

dehesa-destacada

Extremaduran charm: holm oak and cork oak dehesas

by NatureNature Ambroz

Extremaduran charm: holm oak and cork oak dehesas

Walk through our oak or cork oak dehesas and observe our noble trees.

  • Location: Aldeanueva del Camino and Abadía.

Imagine walking through cork oaks, holm oaks, and Pyrenean oaks, and coming upon the Fresneda Cork Oak, a noble tree in Aldeanueva del Camino. This is a truly remarkable specimen of the Quercus suber, commonly known as the cork oak. It is the largest one in all of Extremadura and one of the largest in the world. It is estimated to be around 500 years old, making it a living testimony to the history of the Ambroz Valley.

It is approximately  25  metres  high  with  25  a  base  circumference  of  about  7       metres.  It  has a  wide,  leafy  crown which provide  shade and shelter. This tree is also known for its thick, cork-covered trunk, which is sustainably exploited for the production of cork.

pinares-destacada

Pine Forests of Granadilla and Rutting Deer

by NatureNature Ambroz

Pine Forests of Granadilla and Rutting Deer

Discover an endless expanse of pine trees and let your imagination wander into the horizon shaped by its breathtaking views.

  • Location: Abadía.

There are two protected spaces in the region: the Gabriel y Galán Reservoir SPA (Special Protection Area) and the Granadilla SCA (Special Conservation Area), which is the habitat of the Iberian loach. It’s also home to the red kite and the black stork. And given its proximity to the Gabriel y Galán Reservoir SPA, you can also see black vultures.

Between late August and early October, with the first autumn rains, you can hear male deer bellowing at dawn and dusk to attract females. Listen carefully to the sounds of nature during the deer rutting season – a unique experience for the senses.

Another spectacle not to be missed at dusk in winter is the sight of the cranes returning to the roost. This area of Granadilla on the shores of the Gabriel y Galán Reservoir is one of the largest crane roosting sites in Ambroz-Cáparra.