Spain is not only known for vibrant cities like Barcelona or Madrid, but also for its incomparable Mediterranean landscape, which is a haven for quite a few aquatic and terrestrial animals. In the country's 16 national parks and other regional nature parks, the protection of biodiversity and flora is a top priority. Visitors and vacationers get to experience this beautiful spot on extensive hiking tours on trails.

Castile-León

Impressive mountain ranges meet steep gorges and abysses, in the wide valleys lie beautiful rivers and lakes - no region in Spain is as diverse as Castile-León, which is located in the north of the country and on the border with Portugal. Also quite a few animals, like brown bears, partridges and others count Castile-León as their habitat. These nature parks in the region are definitely worth a visit:

Nature Parks in Castilla y León

Los Argüellos Biosphere Reserve

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Vegacervera, Léon
Size: 33.26 hectare
Special features: numerous caves, gorges, karst formations, high mountain ecosystem near the sea
Wildlife: Habitat of brown bears (endangered), partridges, hare species Lepus castroviejoi.
Photo spots: Caves, such as Valporquero, Llamazares or Barredo 

Babia Biosphere Reserve

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San Emiliano, Léon
Size: 38.02 hectare
Special features: unique high mountain landscape with rock formations, spectacular canyons, extensive valleys and pastures, rivers (the Sil) and glacial lakes (e.g. Las Verdes lagoon)
Wildlife: habitat of brown bears (threatened with extinction), partridges, hare species Lepus castroviejoi, partly grazing animal.
Photo spots: Quiñones Palace in Riolago and the manor houses in Villasecino and Lago de Babia.

Arribes del Duero

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Sobradillo, Salamanca
Size: 106.1 hectares
Features: 100-kilometer-long Duero River narrows, gorges, ditches, altitude differences of up to 500 meters, microclimate with warmer temperatures.
Wildlife: habitat of golden eagles and black storks
Photo spots: Viewpoints like El Fraile or Picón de Felipe, the impressive 50 meter high waterfall Pozo de los Humos.

Sierra de Urbión y Laguna Negra

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Laguna Negra, Soria
Size: 4.62 hectares
Features: small lake, streams, forests and pastures created by glacial ice masses, peak of Urbión (2,228 meters), origin of the river Duero, bird sanctuary
Wildlife: Habitat of squirrels, martens, foxes, weasels, badgers, deer, roe deer and wild boar.
Photo spots: Urbión peak, the granite rock walls

Natural Park Lago de Sanabria

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Zamora
Size: 22,365 hectares 
Features: mountainous terrain, deep valleys, numerous glacial lagoons, Lake of Sanabria (318 hectares).
Wildlife: Habitat of 76 species of birds and 17 species of large mammals, especially the partridge and the wolf
Photo spots: The village of Mercado del Puente

Natural Park Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre-Montana Palentina

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Cervera de Pisuerga, Palencia 
Size: 78.36 hectares
Special features: impressive peaks over 2500 meters, steep gorges, deep valleys, glacial lakes
Wildlife: Brown bears, but also capercaillies, wolves, deer and nutrias.
Photo spots: Route of the Romanesque in the city of Palencia