If you feel the need to disconnect from the stress of everyday life and need to escape from the frenetic hustle and bustle of the city, what better way than to do it close to home and in full contact with nature. With these premises appears the Lanchas Gorgea small wooded valley near Toledo with a great variety of flora and fauna that will teleport us to another world.
Located within the Sierra de Sevilleja and just over two hours by car from the city of Toledo, this place is a small wooded valley crossed by a stream that pours its waters into the Gévalo River. Protected by a great variety of endangered species, its landscapes promise to leave us speechless. In addition, along the way we will find several waterfalls that will transport us to some hidden place on the face of the Earth. A perfect destination to disconnect without having to take a plane.
In 2003, the Garganta de las Lanchas was declared a Micro-Reserve, forming part of the “Montes de Toledo” Special Protection Area for Birds. With these premises, here we can spot the imperial eagle and the black stork -among many other species-. It has a total area of 435 hectares.
what to see
forming a chain of mountains More than 200 million years old, within the Montes de Toledo we find an almost hidden valley where a good number of species of flora have naturally created a small wild garden. The humidity of the environment and its permanent temperature have made it possible to conserve species typical of oceanic and even subtropical climates.
Strolling through this place is to escape from the frenetic stress of everyday life by visiting different streams and/or waterfalls that hang from the stone boats that give the Gorge its name. As expected, during the rainy season these waterfalls offer their best side.
Flora and fauna that we will meet
As we have already mentioned, this place offers a great variety of flora and fauna that we will not see in other places. In this way, the most curious species of fauna in the valley is the black-and-green lizard, known only in Montes de Toledo and Sierra de Ayllón. Although it is not easy to see, it is not difficult to recognize it by the color pattern that gives it its name. In addition, we can also see the great hunting fauna, roe deer, wild boar and deer, as well as large birds of prey such as the golden eagle, the short-toed eagle or the goshawk.
As far as flora is concerned, of all the plant species that we can find in this place, perhaps the rarest and most unique is an evergreen tree called parrot, related to prunes, rose bushes and other similar species. We can also see other unique species such as the yew, the holly, the birch or the rowan.
How to get
La Garganta de las Lanchas offers a free visit, although permission must be requested if you plan to go in groups of more than 20 people or if you are going to make visits organized by companies. Robledo del Marzo is the closest municipality, which is reached from Toledo by the CM-401. From the town, the micro-reserve is accessed via the TO-1089 road. Through the town of Las Hunfrías, next to the cemetery, a track starts that goes into the valley.
Main photo | Manuela Adler
Photos | Tourism Castile-La Mancha
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