Spectacular cliffs made of ‘sand’

The highest ‘sand’ cliffs in Europe can be found on the south coast of Spain, inside the protected area of the Doñana in Huelva province.

It is along the Playa de Castilla, between the towns of Matalascañas and Mazagón, that sheer faces rise to heights above 100 metres.

These fascinating geological phenomena are called the Acantilado del Asperillo; the Asperillo cliffs.

They have been formed by a process which started around 15,000 years ago, with sand accumulating through the actions of wind and water.

Over time sand, sediment and shells compacted into fossil dunes, which have risen due to tectonic plate movements.

In the period since the cliffs were formed, the land has been colonised by flora such as juniper, Portuguese crowberry and gorse; while stone pine trees have been planted help to prevent erosion.

Animals which inhabit the inland dune area include the Iberian lynx, spur-thighed tortoise and Egyptian mongoose.

The regional tourism board advises visitors to ‘follow the Cuesta Maneli trail between Matalascañas and Mazagón’.

“Here you will find the Acantilado del Asperillo Natural Monument, a system of fossil dunes that covers an area of twelve hectares along the coastline,” they explain.

“This is considered to be one of the most unusual geomorphological and ecological coastal formations anywhere on the Iberian Peninsula.”

They explain that the different layers were gradually deposited over the ages, ‘subsequently lifted to more than 100 metres in height by the forces of the earth’.

“The waves and wind are continually changing these dunes,” they reveal.

“From the broad beach you can see different shades of yellow, white, ochre and black on the cliff walls.

“They are stratified, producing fanciful undulations and geometric shapes interrupted by cave openings.”

The cliffs are located in the Doñana natural park, which borders the Doñana national park; the difference being that a national park has the highest level of protection in Spain, with a natural park being a notch lower.

It is possible to walk along the beach from Matalascañas to Mazagón, or vice-versa, to see the magnificent fossil-dune cliffs and live in hope of spotting a lynx or native tortoise.

The tourist board notes that a boardwalk has been constructed at the Cuesta Maneli recreation area, which has a length of 1.5km.

Visits are recommended outside the summer season, when there are fewer tourists and the heat is not overbearing.

Doñana is described as one of Europe’s most beautiful and important wetlands.

It is made up of very different ecosystems; marshland, lagoons, pine groves, aloe veras, moving dunes, cliffs and 30 kilometres of unspoiled beaches.

Photos: Junta de Andalucía