Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park

In this week’s post, we would like to introduce you to one of the natural environments that has seen the greatest increase in tourism in recent years: the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park.

This vast wetland in La Mancha, which runs through the provinces of Ciudad Real and Albacete, is composed of fifteen beautiful lagoons connected to each other by tufa barriers. At various points along their course, they form waterfalls, streams, and impressive cascades.

To speak of Ruidera is also to speak of its birds, such as the Red-crested Pochard; its mammals, such as the Greater Horseshoe Bat; its amphibians and reptiles, such as the Marbled Newt; and a long list of others that make up the park’s incredible biodiversity.

Something less known when discussing the Lagunas de Ruidera is the submerged heritage revealed by its waters during years of severe drought. These “submerged architectures” are quite numerous in our country. Examples such as Peñarrubia (Málaga) or Escó (Zaragoza) showcase the beauty that is often hidden beneath the water.

We see, therefore, how Ruidera always surprises us, whether through its exuberant nature, its fauna, or its “hidden treasures” beneath the water, which we encourage you to discover by snorkeling, kayaking, or simply strolling at sunset.