Cabañeros is a privileged spot located in the provinces of Ciudad Real and Toledo. It was declared a National Park in 1995, but seven years earlier, in 1988, it had already been declared a Natural Park by the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha as a result of widespread popular demand to prevent it from being converted into a field for army manoeuvres, and shooting practice.
It is a vast and wild reserve populated by Mediterranean species. Listed as a Special Protection Area for Birds and a Site of Community Interest where it combines animal species with vegetable ones: holm oaks, cork oaks, gall oaks and peonies coexist in ecological harmony with imperial eagles, black vultures, Iberian lynx, deer, roe deer and fallow deer.
Its natural values are fully linked to the Mediterranean scrubland, one of the best preserved on the peninsula. It is made up of Mediterranean forests and scrubland, some reelected enclaves of Atlantic vegetation, riverside forests, peat bogs and grasslands, with the flora and fauna associated with each of these ecosystems, including some endangered species as the imperial eagle, and the black stork.
Among its cultural values are the huts, traditionally used by shepherds and charcoal burners as temporary shelters from their work in the fields and which give the area its name: Cabañeros. These cone-shaped huts were roofed using vegetation from the surrounding area, and were used by the inhabitants of the Montes de Toledo. Charcoal extraction, shepherding, and agriculture, were the main activities carried out in the area around Cabañeros. Other traditional activities carried out are beekeeping, and cork extraction.
With the first rains, the colour palette of our forests, change. Green gives way to a range of ochres, from yellowish to reddish, while first the blackberries and later the strawberry trees offer juicy and tasty fruits.
Between mid-September and mid-October, deer come into rut and try to attract the females with impressive guttural sounds in a desperate amorous cry. A sonorous spectacle that comes to our mountains: the ‘berreo’, or bellowing, which the name is given to the rutting period of the deer. In this period, the alpha are in their full splendour and mark their territory so as their females.
The best times of the day to observe are at sunrise or sunset. In that very moment you will see the movements of males and females in their game of seduction, the confrontations for the females, and loud bellowing calls, but also warnings to rival males.
We recommend going on these outings accompanied by experienced guides, as they will take you to the most suitable places and the experience will be fully magnificent and pleasurable.
Throughout the Park and its surroundings, you will find visitor centres, museums and information points, where you can obtain practical information to make your visit totally satisfactory.
Yes. Routes on foot; on your own or guided tours. 4x4 car visits.
24 hours access
Access is free of charge to all the centres and walking routes, except for the ‘Gargantilla’ routes, which can only be accessed with a Park guide by prior reservation.
4x4 visits: these allow a more general visit and cover a larger area, and there is a greater chance of seeing wildlife. They also include a short walk and several observation stops. The 4x4 visits have a public tariff depending on the duration of the visit. There are reduced prices for children and special groups.
Walking routes: direct contact with nature. Several of them can be done accompanied by a guide-interpreter of the National Park (free service). See all the options here.
There are three daily tours departing from four different points: ‘Casa Palillos’ Visitor Centre, ‘Horcajo de los Montes’ Visitor Centre, and in the villages of Alcoba and Retuerta. Bookings: tel. 926775384.
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