Cabo de Gata National Park. Almería – Nijar, Andalusia
Who this walking around Andalusia, like nature, adventure and discover quiet beaches and small towns, this National Park is an excellent choice.
Located about 250 km of Málaga, along the Mediterranean coast, through an arid landscape, we arrive at National Park Cabo de Gata, volcanic, which it has a surface 38.000 hectares of land and a 12000 sea. Both the marine park and land are protected. It is an area of great influx of tourism and due to the geological wealth, landscape, cultural, archaeological, as well as the variety of flora and fauna that make it unique, are of special importance the care and respect that various authorities and organizations are held, also asking visitors a tour conscious and respectful.
The park was created in 1987, It is administered by the Department of the Environment and Planning of the Government of Andalusia. The UNESCO the park has been included within the World Network of Biosphere in 1997 and in 2001 it includes within the Global Geoparks Network. The coastal strip, one mile from the coast, It is the largest protected marine area off the coast of continental Europe.
In the path, on the coast about 180 km of Ameria, It is the city of Horseshoe, tourist town offering a beautiful lively beach. The city of Almería neighboring Cabo de Gata, It is located about 37 km from Faro, interesting point to start our tour walk in the park, between cliffs and beautiful and cozy coves with clear sand or rocks that invite to visit. Lighthouse 18 meters high was built on the castle of San Francisco de Paula in the year 1863. Later the surrounding buildings were built.
The views are amazing. Each natural viewpoint found in the course, encourages stop to appreciate the vastness of the ocean from a vantage point, as well as the whimsical shapes that have taken rocks and cliffs. The cliffs are considered by many the best preserved in Europe. In each cove make you want to stay to relax and enjoy the sand, the transparent waters and the warmth of the sun.
Despite the arid climate, high temperatures and rainfall shortages, the park has a great diversity in its flora, mostly shrubs and bushes, as well as its fauna with an enormous number of terrestrial invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals and fewer birds a variety, those who have made the park is also considered Special Protection Area for Birds. The marine flora and fauna are of great richness and variety, due to the transparency of its waters is possible to have an excellent view of the same, making special area for divers and snorkeling practice. I just walked a few meters from the beach, You can be observed in part, marine life.
Include the Salinas de Cabo de Gata, still active and show evidence of being already exploited in Roman period. They are near the coast flanking the Playa de las Salinas. Here is where the greatest variety of birds the park among which the flamencos.
There are numerous beaches and coves q find in the Natural Park. Here I list some:
Beaches:
– Saint Joseph
– Del Arco
– Monsul
– Las Salinas
– Genoveses
– La Isleta
– San Miguel
– Escullos
– Black ones
– Torregarcia
– of the Dead
– Agua Amarga
Calas:
– Raven
– medium
– of lead
– San Pedro
– Raja
– Arena
There is also the possibility of other walks in the Natural Park and nearby as are the Fishing port, the call Route Pirates, the town of Nijar, he viewpoint of the Amethyst, he Cortijo del Fraile, The Escullos. Of course also the town of Almería what, as discussed above it is about 37 km from Cabo de Gata. A beautiful town that allows us to make a walking tour to know their cultural heritage, parks, squares and typical streets.
The extension of the park and its location on the Mediterranean area open a range of possibilities of activities to develop and allows us, after travel adventure deserved rest in one of the beautiful beaches or in one of the wonderful coves, then a quiet walk in one of the small neighboring towns.
Lots to see and do in the Natural Park Cabo de Gata a park that contains a valuable natural and cultural heritage.
