Despeñaperros Natural Park

Despeñaperros Nature Reserve

Jaén

The natural pass from the Meseta


The famous defile of Despeñaperros, with walls that are virtually vertical, is the product of the waters of the river with the same name.

The Despeñaperros Nature Reserve is situated to the north of the province of Jaén. It covers a total of 7,840 hectares, belonging to the township of Santa Elena, which sketch a natural pass from the Castilian meseta, through the famous defile. And the result of the action of the waters of the River Despeñaperros, which flows transversally to the mountain range of Sierra Morena and which flows into the River Guarrizas. Thus, the area surprises us with walls that are practically vertical and with delightful spots, such as 'Los Órganos' or 'Las Correderas'. In its vegetation there are forests of alders, ashes and willows, holm oaks, cork oaks, gall oaks, oaks, umbrella pines, Kermes oaks and Maritime pines. The shrubs are basically, strawberry trees, heather, rockrose, myrtle and Kermes oak.

Despeñaperros Nature Reserve


Ctra. JA-7102 Santa Elena - Miranda del Rey, km 2. (centro de visitantes)

23213  Santa Elena, Jaén  (Andalusia)

Type of area:Natural Park Area:7,840.82 hectares Email:pndespenaperros.csmaea@juntadeandalucia.es Email:cvllanodelasamericas@reservatuvisita.es Tel.:+34 953 368 800 Tel.:+34 610 282 531 Website:Despeñaperros Nature Reserve

Jaén (Andalusia):

  • Santa Elena
Useful information

What you need to know


  • Cultural information

    The remains discovered in the Iberian Sanctuary of Cueva de los Muñecos date from the Neolithic period.As well as this, there are cave paintings in the Cuevas de las Vacas del Rematoso.

  • Environmental information

    As for the flora, the holm oak and cork oak groves stand out, as well as some species that can only be found in Despeñaperros. The fauna includes species such as wild boar and deer. We can also find foxes, mongoose and wildcats. As for the birds, the Reserve is inhabited by imperial eagles and Griffon's vultures.

  • Information for visits

    For more information, contact the Regional Board of the Council of Environmental Affairs (Dirección Provincial C.M.A). Address: Avda. de Andalucía, 79. Jaén. Puerta de Andalucía Visitor Centre. Address: Carretera N-IV, km 257. Santa Elena, Jaén.