The Zahara-El Gastor reservoir is a sheet of artificial water located in the northeast of the province of Cadiz, between the municipalities of Zahara de la Sierra and El Gastor, in the demarcation of the Guadalete-Barbate. Its profile fits into a landscape of limestone mountains and broken slopes of the Sierra de Cádiz, which explains the contrast between the water and the white and abrupt reliefs of the environment. From the viewpoints and nearby accesses there is a wide view of the reservoir, with the tail of the reservoir opening between mountains and ravines. It is an especially photogenic place when the water level is high, because the surface reflects well the nearby mountains and enhances the feeling of spaciousness of the landscape. In the sources consulted it appears as one of the best known tourist resources in the area and is linked to activities such as hiking, canoeing, fishing and sporting activities. Its large storage capacity and extensive surface area are also mentioned, data that help to understand its scale within the region. The visit is more pleasant with soft light in the morning or afternoon, and in temperate months, when the heat does not harden the accesses or the walk along the banks. After abundant rains and with the reservoir full, the whole gains visual presence; in dry periods, the landscape loses some of its scenic impact.
