On the GR-330 to Pla de la Casa

On the GR-330 to Pla de la Casa

The Guadalest valley is home to the highest peaks in Alicante province.Rising close to the Mediterranean coast at Altea, it heads inland and forms a long dogleg which ascends to the Confrides pass at 970 metres. The southern flank includes the Sierra de Aitana, with...
Unlocking the secrets of the ice caves

Unlocking the secrets of the ice caves

Scientists have been carrying out investigations in mountain caves that contain ice all year round, found in high mountain areas of the Pyrenees and Cantabrian mountains. Ana Moreno, Miguel Bartolomé, Reyes Giménez, María Leunda and Ánchel Belmonte-Ribas reported that...
Going for golden

Going for golden

The golden eagle is largest eagle in Spain, with a wingspan measuring between 1.8 and 2.3 metres.SEO/BirdLife explain that the country is home to one of the largest population of these raptors in Europe. The ornithological society states that there have been recent...
Measures to protect the plover

Measures to protect the plover

The population of the Kentish plover is in rapid decline in Spain, says SEO/BirdLife.They note that it ‘faces a high risk of becoming extinct in the wild’. The principal threats for the small shorebird are the loss of habitat and intensive recreational use...
Iberia’s unique eagle expands its range

Iberia’s unique eagle expands its range

The Iberian imperial eagle is a majestic bird with a wingspan of around two metres.When hunting it glides over the countryside and drops like a stone when it detects prey out in the open.Fortunately, it is now possible to see this raptor in the skies in more areas of...
Bearded vultures bounce back

Bearded vultures bounce back

Nature’s clean-up crew; vultures do the dirty work of clearing up after death, helping to keep ecosystems healthy.This is how the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) refers to these scavengers, who play a crucial role in the environments in which they live. The...
Wolf watch

Wolf watch

After centuries of persecution, the Iberian wolf population has been on the rise in recent times. However, campaigners fear much of the good work could be undone following a vote from the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention in December, 2024 to weaken protection...
Walking terms (and conditions)

Walking terms (and conditions)

When out walking in Spain, or looking at a map, you will see words you know, ones you recognise, and others that are less familiar. Often there is more than one term given to a geographical feature or piece of infrastructure, which can lead to misunderstandings. And...