Alto Tajo Nature Reserve,

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This park has the largest system of fluvial gorges in the Region. It is diverse due to geological, climate and topography factors and its level of preservation is excellent. This is one of the highlights of biodiversity in Castilla-La Mancha.

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Location

Located in the Iberian System, between the south-eastern part of the province of Guadalajara and the north-eastern part of the province of Cuenca.

Climate: Cool temperatures and a modest amount of rainfall. Cold and rough winters, and short, mild summers due to the river courses. Scarce rainfall.

The Upper Tajo has the majority of the typical characteristics of the Iberian Range, some of which are very notable and that have produced formations and micro-formations that are only found in this area.

Especially noteworthy are the formations link to river courses such as canyons and ravines -which are both frequent in this areas- and terraces, as well as unique slope formations such as needles, pinnacles and monoliths.
In summary, this is the most extensive network of canyons and ravines in Castilla-La Mancha.

The hydrographical network is the element that has made this area what it is today. Water from river courses has conditioned the climate, the surface, fauna, flora and even human settlements.
This network is made up by the famous River Tajo, from its source to the estuary in the creek in Carrascosa del Tajo and a variety of direct and indirect effluents among which we can highlight: Cabrillas, Bullones, Gallo, Arandilla, Salado, Ablanquejo, Hoceseca and Tajuelo.

There are five unique sites which are the birth of the River Cuervo, the Taravilla and Valtablado lagoons and the Armallá and Saélices salt evaporation ponds.

On the whole, the level of preservation of the waters and ravines in this network is optimal.

Surface: 176265 ha

Information on visits: It can be reached from Guadalajara, taking the A-2 road to Alcolea del Pinar (Km. 133) to then take the N-211 up to Molina de Aragón. From this point we access Taravilla, Peralejos de las Truchas, Checa and Orea.

Legislation: Declaration: Law 1/2000, of April 6, that declares the Alto Tajo (Upper Tajo) Nature Reserve. (Castilla-La Mancha Official Gazette No. 43, on May 5, 2000). The entire surface is included in the proposal of Sites making up the NATURA 2000 Network.