Lorraine Williamson
While Granada province is often associated with the Alhambra or the Sierra Nevada, few visitors venture north to the rugged frontier with Jaén. Here lies Sierra de Castril Natural Park, a landscape that has quietly become one of southern Spain’s most precious ecological reserves.
Its isolation has spared it from the pressures of mass tourism, leaving behind a sanctuary where nature thrives in near-pristine condition.
Why Castril matters for Spain’s ecology
Part of the Betic mountain system, the park acts as a green corridor between several other protected areas. High peaks, sheer gorges, and densely forested slopes create a mosaic of habitats that allow plants and wildlife to flourish. This ecological connectivity makes Sierra de Castril a vital stronghold for biodiversity in Andalucia. Furthermore, it is reinforcing its importance far beyond provincial borders.
Birdlife above the cliffs
For birdwatchers, Castril is a revelation. Its skies are patrolled by griffon vultures, golden eagles and red kites. Meanwhile, 2024 brought historic news: the first wild-born bearded vulture in Spain since the 1980s. Nicknamed Castrileña, she was fitted with a GPS transmitter that revealed astonishing journeys as far north as the Picos de Europa. At 1,935 metres above sea level, a modern observatory now allows visitors to watch these raptors against a backdrop of soaring mountains.
Science beneath the surface
Moreover, the park’s wonders extend underground. Near the source of the Castril River, researchers have been charting a flooded cave system since 2011. In February 2025, they reached a depth of 140.5 metres, confirming it as Spain’s deepest known underwater cave. This work, blending drones, pulleys and advanced diving techniques, underscores how much of Sierra de Castril’s natural heritage remains unexplored.
New species rooted in limestone soils
Castril has also given science a new discovery: Castrila Intens. Identified in 2024, this delicate endemic plant grows only in small calcareous zones of the park. Its rarity has already been listed as endangered, further proof of the park’s global significance for conservation.
Trails, ravines and quiet adventures
Despite its remoteness, the park offers carefully designed routes for hikers and cyclists keen to explore without damaging the environment. Walk the Fátima–Los Arenales path past disused quarries to see colonies of Egyptian vultures, or cycle through ravines and pine forests on the Castril–El Corralón trail. For thrill-seekers, six ravines provide ideal conditions for canyoning, while more than 50 caves await exploration.
A model for sustainable tourism
Castril shows what happens when preservation is prioritised over exploitation. With no hotels sprawling across the valleys and no coachloads of tourists, visitors here encounter quiet trails, clear rivers and a landscape that feels truly wild. For travellers seeking an authentic, eco-friendly Andalucian experience, Sierra de Castril Natural Park is a reminder that not all of Spain’s treasures are widely known — and that some are best kept that way.
Source: Europa Press