Sabinares del Arlanza Natural Park - La Yecla

Protected natural area in the southeast of the province of Burgos, within the municipality of Covarrubias, integrated in the Sabinares del Arlanza-La Yecla Natural Park. The park occupies some 39,173 hectares and was declared in 2020, making it one of the last large protected areas recognized in Castilla y León. Its relevance is supported by a mosaic of canyons and limestone escarpments, embedded valleys and well-preserved forest masses. In this sector of the Arlanza, the savin juniper groves stand out, considered among the most extensive and best preserved in the world, accompanied by holm oak groves, gall oak groves, oak groves and riparian forest around the Arlanza river. The landscape combines mid-mountain and abrupt formations shaped by erosion, with a strong presence of limestone rock that gives rise to gorges, cliffs and natural caves. For the visitor, the main interest lies in the variety of the relief and in the reading of the landscape: from the viewpoints and trails you can appreciate the mature juniper groves, the stony slopes and the cliffs where large birds of prey nest. The area is also part of one of the best known enclaves of the region of Covarrubias for its scenic value and proximity to hiking and nature trails. Its importance is not only scenic: it protects habitats of high ecological value and one of the largest colonies of griffon vultures in Spain. In the context of Burgos, the area combines natural heritage, forest conservation and public use linked to hiking and landscape observation, with a strong territorial identity in the Arlanza region.