Bardenas Reales is a surreal desert: it feels like being on another planet

It seems like we are on the moon , but in reality we are in Spain, precisely in the south-east of Navarra . Bardenas Reales is a place far from the typical image we have of this country: it is certainly different, especially if we consider the typical fauna and flora, much more similar to those of the African continent rather than the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Consider that, for a long time, its lunar landscapes were inhabited by crocodiles and turtles, while today it is eagles and vultures that watch over them from above.

It is a landscape that is hard to forget and that, over time, has conquered not only millions of travellers, but also filmmakers who have chosen it as a location to shoot some of the most famous films . To give you a few examples, “007: The World Is Not Enough” with Pierce Brosnan and “Game of Thrones” , where Bardenas Reales allowed the world of the Dothraki to be created.

Why Bardenas Reales is one of the most incredible places in Spain

The sci-fi landscapes of Bardenas Reales are one of the most beautiful places to visit in Spain . Declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2000 by UNESCO, it extends over 40,000 hectares where vast plains are interspersed with ravines, cliffs and hills that reach up to 600 meters high.

Its landscapes are pure geology: it is a unique formation in this territory, capable of evoking distant places. The scarcity of vegetation lays bare a relief formed thanks to a whole series of natural processes that have acted on these lands for millions of years and where geology plays a leading role. In terms of landscape, from north to south three main areas can be distinguished: El Plano , La Bardena Blanca (or simply La Blanca) and La Bardena Negra (La Negra).

Bardena Blanca has a desert appearance and a whitish soil and is known for its characteristic rock formations (Castildetierra, Pisquerra, Rallón). El Plano is a large raised clearing that slopes slightly towards the south, with its highest points represented by the peaks of Cornialto and La Estroza. Finally, La Bardena Negra is characterized by its large mesas , which reach a maximum height of 646 meters in La Negra.

The flora and fauna of Bardenas Reales

Bardenas Reales is an incredible place in Spain also because it is home to ecosystems and biotypes of great ecological value: pine forests, scrubland, steppes, salt marshes and wetlands. The current vegetation is the result of the interaction between human activity and the natural conditions of climate, soil and terrain. In the highest areas, such as La Negra, there are also Aleppo pine forests, along with thorn oaks and junipers.

As for wildlife , the most notable species are the steppe birds: great bustards, little bustards, stone curlews, sandgrouses, black sandgrouses and larks. Other notable inhabitants include birds of prey such as golden eagles, Egyptian vultures, griffon vultures, eagle owls, marsh harriers, kestrels and vultures.

How to visit Bardenas Reales

The best way to visit Bardenas Reales is by car : this way you can see more areas of the reserve and stop where you prefer, also leaving the vehicle in the designated areas and proceeding on foot for a more immersive exploration. In detail, there are mainly three routes to follow:

• Vuelta al Poligono : this is a 30-kilometer long circular route, perfect to do in a day. Among the main stages is also the famous rocky peak of Castildetierra ;
• Castildetierra : if you have little time and only want to reach the rocky peak, you can simply go to the information center in Arguedas and take a semi-asphalted road that will take you directly to the nearby Castildetierra car park. Once you have left the car, a short walk of about 2 kilometers there and back will allow you to see one of the symbols of Bardenas Reales;
• Balcón de El Buste : If you also want to explore the black part of the desert, you just need to drive to the viewpoint 40 minutes from the information center, which offers a unique perspective on the greenest part of the desert.

How to reach Bardenas Reales

The ideal way to get to Bardenas Reales is by car : it takes about 1 hour from Pamplona and Zaragoza, 2 and a half hours from Bilbao, almost 4 hours from Madrid and just over 4 hours from Barcelona.