Arandilla Ravine

Arandilla Ravine

The Arandilla valley is a spectacular ravine carved out of the reddish Triassic sandstones and conglomerates, giving rise to one of the most beautiful and spectacular most emblematic landscapes of the park. The variety of shapes sculpted by the effect of the water on the canyon walls, the spectacular nature of the walls and the presence of a beautiful hermitage with an interesting associated history make this a wonderful place to enjoy a day in the countryside.

A very unique ravine and canyon in the peninsula, and even more so in Castilla-la Mancha, as it is developed over Triassic detritic materials, which is unusual (most of the ravines and canyons in the peninsula are developed over carbonate rocks). The reddish colour of the canyon walls offers a high visual quality.

Sandstones consist of numerous layers or strata of different thickness and hardness which, depending on the action of erosion, generate inlets and protrusions in the valley walls. At the same time, the sandstones present a network of fractures and/or vertical diaclases through which erosion progresses easily, making blocks and towers independent. The strong stratification of these sandstones also favours the creation of ledges that offer an ideal nesting place for small rocky birds of prey such as the peregrine falcon and other not so small birds such as Egyptian vultures and griffon vultures.

<< How to get there?

To access this beautiful enclave, we must leave the locality of Cobeta by the GU-951 address Corduente. After a few minutes and after having gone down to the height of the river, we will see a bridge Here we have to take the track that goes off to our left and go uphill for a few metres until we see a small parking area that gives access to an small recreational area and to the hermitage. Once here, the best plan is to walk along the Arandilla ravine, parallel to the river, through this beautiful canyon.