VILLAMECA RESERVOIR

CHARACTERISTICS OF ROUTE

Type of route Linear

Distance 12.7 km (out and back)

Degree of difficulty Low

Duration on foot 3 hours

Duration by bicycle 1½ hours

Recommended time of year All year

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

The reservoir of Villameca is situated in the rural district of La Cepeda, the most southerly part of the Four Valleys (Cuatro Valles). The dam, inaugurated in 1946, holds back the waters of the River Tuerto to ensure the supply of irrigation water in summertime, and to regulate the flow of the river.

The route starts from the locality of Palaciosmil, a municipal district of Quintana del Castillo, from which one can choose from different itineraries: one heads west, through pine woods, to a place known as Los Gandarones, a tongue of land that protrudes into the reservoir; the other goes in a south-westerly direction to the banks of the reservoir, and passes through an area of gentle ridges with crops of wheat and rye.

This reservoir is a gathering place for many species of aquatic birds: Mallards, Eurasian Teal, Little Grebes, Great Crested Grebes, amongst others. Along the route one can also observe birds associated with pine woods, a variety of Tits, Crossbills, Northern Goshawks, Eurasian Sparrowhawks, Eurasian Nightjars. It is an exceptional area for the great diversity of birdlife and the beauty of its countryside.


GAL: CUATRO VALLES

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