The bellowing and clashing of horns are back, interrupting the tranquility of the Spanish forests and meadows.
The bellowing is back, the natural spectacle starring male deer that compete with each other with their unmistakable sound to attract females in heat.
With the first autumn rains, nature lovers have an appointment in various parts of Spain to enjoy this event that takes place punctually at the end of September and the beginning of October.
We propose several places to live this experience that is now in its maximum splendor.
Cabañeros National Park
Cabañeros National Park.
At the foot of the Montes de Toledo, in the north of the province of Ciudad Real, is this extensive Park in which the Raña de Santiago is located, a huge meadow also known as the Spanish Serengeti. There and in the wooded surroundings, thousands of deer live. At sunset is when there is more activity and you can better enjoy the bellowing. The males surround the herds of females to try to seduce them. In addition to hearing their characteristic sounds, if you are lucky you can see the males fighting and even covering the females. The Park has several options and schedules to enjoy the show, always with guides and in all-terrain vehicles that include binoculars. You can start the excursion at the entrance of Casa Palillos (where there is a parking lot) or leaving from Alcoba de Los Montes.More information and reservations here.
Where to sleep:
Abuela María (Rda. De la Vega, 20, Santa Quiteria, Ciudad Real; 666202139).
Rural house with pool and antique furniture near the entrance of Casa Palillos.
In the patio and green area there is a large barbecue to use all year round.
Price: from 270 euros / two people on the weekend.
Reservations here.
Redes Natural Park
Redes Natural Park.
The Redes Natural Park in Asturias, a Biosphere Reserve, is one of the perfect enclaves of the Iberian Peninsula to listen and see the ritual of the bellowing up close. In it, the best point for this are the deciduous forests that surround the Cabeza del Arcu, in the Caleao mountains. The establishments that make up the Nalón Valley Tourism Accommodation Association organize outings every Saturday and Sunday in September and October to see the bellowing up close (more information here), as well as some tourist companies.
Where to sleep:
Tierra del Agua (Sonxerru, s / n. Caleao. Asturias; Telephone: 985 61 29 15).
Exclusive rural accommodation located in the small Asturian village of Caleao, in the heart of the Redes Park, which has 14 apartments (suites and independent houses) of Nordic and minimalist style and with viewpoints.
The establishment organizes routes to enjoy the bellowing (more information here).
Price: from 89 euros.
Reservations here.
Sierra de Peña Mayor
Visitors in the Sierra de Peñamayor.
We continue in Asturias to observe the deer, this time in the
Comarca de la Sidra,
where this mountain range in the central Asturian area is located, rising to 1,197 meters from the Triguero peak. The Nava City Council and the Hunters Association of this municipality (Agrudeca) are once again organizing free guided visits to this natural space in search of the magnificent specimens that these weeks are in full rutting season. To do this activity it is necessary to book on the association's website (lacomarcadelasidra.com. The starting point is the Nava Visitor Reception Center, at 4.30 pm and the duration is four hours.
Self-
visits to the Venado bellowing
are also organized
, with the availability of a set of maps and locations so that those who are interested can travel to the Sierra de Peñamayor independently, at the time they wish and by their own means. and easily find the best gambling dens to hear the bellows.
The maps can be downloaded from the web www.lacomarcadelasidra.com.
Where to sleep
: Hotel Villa de Nava (La Laguna s / n, Nava, Asturias; Telephone: 985718070).
Rural hotel with its own cider house and a five-minute walk from the local cider museum.
Simple and comfortable rooms.
Price: from 60 euros.
Reservations here.
Monfragüe National Park
Monfragüe National Park.
The National Park of the province of Cáceres is one of the most visited at this time of year and the bellowing is one of its biggest claims. The Fuente de los Tres Caños, the Sierra de las Corchuelas, the viewpoints of La Tajadilla, Malavuelta and La Higuerilla are some of the most interesting points to meet the herds (yes, it is advisable to take binoculars). There are several companies that offer 4x4 routes through the Park to enjoy the show from 25 euros per person (monfraguenatural.com, birdingnaturaleza.com, destinationactivo.com ...). Other tourist companies, such as ecoturismomonfrague.com organize excursions in private farms, where the herds graze freely.
Where to sleep
: El Turcal (Highway EX-203, km. 28, Torremenga, Cáceres; Telephone: 616 61 11 16).
Charming rural hotel in the countryside located in a 19th century barn, renovated with local wood and stone, and surrounded by gardens and with an outdoor swimming pool.
Price: from 130 euros.
Reservations here.
Sierra de Cazorla
Deer in the vicinity of the Tranco reservoir.
The Natural Park of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, in the northeast of the province of Jaén, is the largest protected area in Spain and one of the best parks in Spain to admire the bellowing of the deer. The most recommended areas are the Collado del Almendral Game Park and the surroundings of the Tranco reservoir, the Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente viewpoint, one of the favorite spots for visitors, the southern area of the Park, in the Sierra del Pozo or trails such as the Guazalamanco or those that lead to the source of the Guadalquivir. Companies such as Cazorla Travel organize 4x4 excursions of up to five hours with experts to observe the deer in action, from 39 euros. More information here.
Where to sleep:
Paraíso de Bujaraiza (Carretera del Tranco, km 59,300, Coto-Ríos, Jaén; Telephone: 602 219 107).
Located within the Collado del Almendral Game Park, among gardens with views of the Guadalquivir, this rustic hotel has an outdoor pool, rooms with incredible views and a restaurant that combines traditional and modern cuisine.
Price: from 126 euros.
Reservations here.
Sierra Culebra
Valparaíso deposit and oak forests in the Carballeda region.
The epicenter of this mountainous complex located in the northwest of the province of Zamora is the Carballeda region, a sparsely populated area surrounded by mountains and meadows.
There is where there is a greater concentration of male deer and at dawn and in the middle of the night is when they are best seen and heard.
The outskirts of municipalities such as Villardeciervos, Cional, Valparaíso, Fresno de la Carballeda, Villanueva de Valrojo or Mombuey are ideal places to see these animals without much effort.
Where to sleep:
Posada Rural Sierra de la Culebra (C. Príncipe de Asturias, 23, Ferreras de Abajo, Zamora; Telephone: 615 505 769).
Rural accommodation with stone walls and swimming pool.
The living room, kitchen and garden are shared.
Price: from 35 euros.
Reservations here.
Los Alcornocales Natural Park.
NOTE TO THE READER
* By booking these accommodations through our website, readers will not get discounts or additional benefits, but they will help Metrópoli to obtain a commission for each reservation as an affiliate of the Booking.com program.
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