Region: Andalucia
Province: Jaen
Declared a Natural Park: 1986
Park surface area: 209,920 hectares
Points of interest:
It offers a great array of very well conserved ecosystems, each of high natural value with many endemics. Spectacular landscapes including waterfalls, deep valleys and lakes make this park unique. The important Guadalquivir and Segura rivers both begin in the park. Large pine forests clothe this limestone mountain range whose highest point is Pico Empanada at 2,107m. It is a very accessible park with many old donkey routes criss-crossing the mountains.
Flora:
This territory holds a 5th of the variety of plant species to be found within the peninsular of Spain. Boasting an amazing 2,170 different plant species, of which 34 are unique in the world such as Cazorla Viola (Viola cazorlensis), Cazorla geranium (Geranium cazorlense), Cazorla aquilagia (Aquilegia cazorlensis) and Cazorla erodium (Erodium cazorlanum).
Other plants that draw the attention of visiting botanists are: Centaurea jaennensis, Narcissus hedraeanthus, Narcissus longispathus, Muscari cazorlanum, Scilla reverchonii, Geranium cataractum, Fumana paradoxa and the insectivorous Pinguicula vallisneriifolia.
Some of the tree species that make up the heavily wooded areas are: Quercus faginea, Quercus ilex, Quercus lusitanica, Pinus pinaster, Pinus nigra subsp. salzmannii and Abies alba.
Fauna:
Historically this zone has constituted a refuge for the wild fauna. There are 280 species of vertebrates (11 of which are fish, 12 amphibians, 21 reptiles 185 birds, and 51 of mammals). One reptile unique to the park is the Valverde lizard (Algyroides marchi). This is a small, bronze coloured lizard with a black dorsal area.
Spanish Ibex, Red deer, Fallow deer, Mouflon, Wild boar and Red squirrel are well represented. Griffon vultures are plentiful and the protected Bearded vulture, also called Lammergeyer, has been re-introduced recently. (The Guadalentín centre controls a breeding and release scheme for the Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus).
Also in the area:
The area has held onto its historic roots, Segura de la Sierra is dominated by a Mudejar castle and the church of Our Lady of Collado dates from the 15th century also there are Arab baths.
The village of Hornos de Segura has marvellous views, it retains its old city walls and the Puerta de la Villa or old city gate plus the castle and church which have led to the denomination of this town as an Historic Artistic Site.
Information/Visitors Centers:
Cazorla, information centre
Torre del Vinagre, visitor centre
Botanic Garden, near to the Torre de Vinagre visitor centre on the Tranco road (A-319) at km marker 48. Specialising in the endangered local flora
Fluvial Río Borosa, visitor centre
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