The Natural Park of Despeñaperros locates in the north of the province of Jaén, in the heart of Sierra Morena mountains.
It is the natural passage and the entry dorr to Andalusia from the neighbouring plateau of Castilla which opens a way through an amazing defile, hollowed out from the rocks naturally in the course of time by the Despeñaperros river, which in turns, crosscuts the mountain chain. Many affluents like the Guarrizas flow into this river originating leafy forests. This huge defile that crosses the park from north to south, originates spectacular landscapes and an abrupt orography whose highest point reaches 1174 metres and the lowest 600. In it, one can admire outstanding places like "Los Órganos" where the quartzite rocks are shaped like giant tubes, "El Salto del Fraile" or "Las Correderas" among others.

 

 

The main activity of this place is based on herd, wood and hunting, for the activities are a tradition. The activities available in the park are trekking and speleological and geological excursions.
In Santa Elena, one can visit the Sanctuary of Cueva de los Muñecos; many remains from the Neolithic have been found in the Sanctuary of Collado de los Jardines as well as cave painting in the Cuevas de las Vacas del Rematoso. Throughout the history of Despeñaperros there have been many battles like that of Navas de Tolosa in 1212, which opened Andalusia to the Christian Reconquest. Bye the way, the name of this place comes from a slaughter that took place after the battle, when Christian threw the survival Arabs down the defile.

 

 

Location: Término municipal de Santa Elena (Jaén).

Area: 7.717 hectares.

Most common animal species: imperial, royal, snake, booted and Bonelli's eagles; common vulture, tawny vulture, small serin, thrush and wheatear; wolf, Iberian Lynx, wildcat, fox, deer and boar.

Most common vegetation: Holm, cork oak, gall oak, common pine, oleaster, alder, ashtree and willow.

Access: free.

How to arrive: take the Andalusia highway or road J-6110.