Celebrating a quarter-century of the 'Natural Park of the Upper Tagus'

The Natural Park of Alto Tajo, nestled in the heart of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. This expansive natural space, spanning over 100,000 hectares and encompassing 44 municipalities, has become a beacon of conservation and ecotourism in the province of Guadalajara.

Since its inception in 1995, the park has been a testament to successful collaborations between local town councils, the Protected Spaces Area, and the Natural Park of Alto Tajo itself. This collaboration has proven instrumental in managing visitor flow, solving problems of affluence and disorder, generating jobs, and ensuring that the local community can continue to enjoy these pristine landscapes.

The park is home to unique or best representations of Iberian Peninsula animal species, including significant populations of griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons. The conservation program for monitoring imperial eagles is particularly noteworthy, with all eagles in the park being tagged through compensatory measures funds.

The Tajo River, which runs through the park, has shaped its landscape over millions of years, carving out a succession of gorges and canyons, one of the most extensive in Europe. This diverse topography, combined with the park's unique flora and fauna, makes it a truly special and unique natural space.

The park's future success relies on the administration providing it with the necessary resources, especially personnel, to continue consolidating as a conservation reference. In this regard, collaborations with organisations like Rewilding Spain have been instrumental, with programs for recovering grazing, reintroducing black vultures, and hiring 15 people, making it one of the main employers in the area.

Visitors to the park can explore its exceptional natural heritage, enjoy its wild surroundings, and learn about the importance of preserving these ecosystems for future generations. Recreational areas, viewpoints, hiking and cycling trails, and four visitor centers provide ample opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in the park's beauty.

One such area is the Cañón del Tajo, where the municipalities now manage the parking area from the Puente de San Pedro to Peralejos. The recovery of the abandoned coal mines of Santa Engracia de Penalén, another successful collaboration case, further demonstrates the park's commitment to sustainable development and conservation.

As the Natural Park of Alto Tajo looks towards its next 25 years, it is optimistic about its potential for growth in ecotourism, nature production, and telecommuting, if the area's connectivity improves. The park invites all to join in celebrating its anniversary and to experience firsthand the wonders of this unique and diverse natural space.