Microrreserva Cerros Margosos de Pastrana y Yebra

The Cerros Margosos de Pastrana y Yebra Microreserve is a protected natural area of terrestrial character, declared in 2002 and with an approximate area of 68.47 hectares. It is located between the municipalities of Pastrana and Yebra, in the province of Guadalajara, in the surroundings of the confluence of the Arlés river and the Val stream with the Tajo river. Its main interest comes from a very specific geological substratum, formed by limestone, gypsiferous marl, gypsum and clay, which conditions a landscape of dry hills and soft materials easily eroded. The most valuable thing to be seen here is the specialized vegetation that has managed to adapt to these marly-gypsiferous and saline soils, a rare and very fragile habitat. Particularly noteworthy is the presence of Limonium erectum, an endemic species with a worldwide distribution restricted to this enclave, as well as other species of botanical interest such as Gypsophila bermejoi, Lepidium cardamine and the orchid Ophrys omegaifera subsp. dyris. For this reason, the route is of interest to both naturalists and visitors looking for discreet but scientifically unique landscapes. Its relevance is above all botanical and conservationist: it protects very well represented halophilic and gypsiferous communities and safeguards endangered species included in the regional catalog. The micro-reserve is part of the network of protected areas of Castilla-La Mancha and was created to conserve an enclave of great ecological rarity on the banks of the Tagus, where human pressure is low and the value of the land lies in its geological and biological uniqueness.