Cabaneros National Park

Cabaneros covers about 390 square kilometres of the Montes de Toledo between the Estena and Bullaque rivers, and it was declared a national park in 1995; some 276 species of vertebrates are recorded, a high share of them threatened. The landscape is Mediterranean forest on the ridges and, on the flat rana between them, open dehesa of holm oak and grass grazed by red and fallow deer, which is often compared to African savanna and looks it in the right light. Wildlife includes one of the better Spanish imperial eagle populations, black vultures, black storks and occasional sightings of Iberian lynx. The autumn deer rut is the main wildlife event. Access to the rana is by guided vehicle trip only.

What you'll find

• The dehesa plain - open holm oak savanna grazed by deer.
• The autumn rut - red deer roaring across the rana in September.
• The imperial eagles - one of Spain's stronger populations.
• The guided 4x4 trips - the only access to the core plain.

When to go

September and October for the deer rut, which is the highlight, and April to June for flowers and breeding birds; summer is very hot with fire restrictions. Guided trips must be booked and fill during the rut.

Before you go

The rana can only be entered on a booked guided vehicle trip run by the park, with limited daily places. Marked walking routes are on the periphery. Facilities in the surrounding villages are minimal.

Nearby

Toledo lies north; Ciudad Real and the Tablas de Daimiel are south.

Key facts