Hoces del Cabriel

The Hoces del Cabriel are, on one side, a nature reserve in the province of Cuenca (Castilla-La Mancha) and, on the other, a natural park in the province of Valencia (Valencian Community). Both have formed part of the Valle del Cabriel Biosphere Reserve since 19 June 2019.

The Valencian natural park was declared on 17 June 2005 (Decree 115/2005), has 31,446 hectares and covers Requena, Venta del Moro and Villargordo del Cabriel; it is Upper Cretaceous limestone and dolomite, with riverside woods of poplar, willow and tamarisk and pine woods on the rock walls. The Cuenca nature reserve was created on 17 October 1995 and covers about 1,643 hectares.

Golden eagles and Bonelli's eagles, long-eared owls, Spanish ibex, wild boar and otters live here. In the Valencian park are the Vadocañas bridge (16th century, on a Roman base) and the Casas del Río waterwheel (18th century); you get there by the A-3, turning off towards Venta del Moro or Villargordo del Cabriel. The Cuenca reserve reopened after years of closure because the contract for the access land was not renewed, so it is wise to check the visiting conditions beforehand. A river enclosed between canyons, with green water.

Source of the information: Hoces del Cabriel (Wikipedia)