Alcoba: Nature, Routes and Culture around Cabañeros

Alcoba de los Montes is one of the municipalities in the province of Ciudad Real that forms part of Cabañeros National Park. More than 17,000 hectares of Alcoba’s municipal area lie within this national park.

Nature

In the wider surroundings of Alcoba is the Observatorio de las cigüeñas, a freely accessible wooden observatory approximately 3 kilometres from the Casa Palillos Visitor Centre. It offers views of a colony of white storks and, depending on the season, deer, cranes and vultures. In the immediate vicinity of Alcoba there is also a closed-basin lagoon where several species of waterbirds breed and which serves as a resting place for cranes in winter.

The observatory at the Casa Palillos Visitor Centre offers good views of the Raña; depending on the season, groups of deer and other animals can be observed there. Also in the immediate vicinity of Alcoba stands the Mesto de Santa Quiteria, a thousand-year-old hybrid of holm oak and cork oak, regarded as one of the largest trees in the province.

The Casa Palillos Visitor Centre has an exhibition on the natural and cultural values of the park. It also features an audiovisual area with projections about Cabañeros and a recording showing a nest of an Iberian imperial eagle in the park.

Culture and History

The Museo Etnográfico de Alcoba displays traditional equipment from the region, a reconstructed hut used by shepherds and charcoal burners, a model charcoal kiln and numerous agricultural implements. The museum also provides information, maps and brochures about Cabañeros National Park.

The Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación has a 16th-century altarpiece. The Iglesia de la Consolación in Alcoba is a church in the Gothic-Renaissance style.

The Castillo de los Moros is named Castellón and is a prehistoric Bronze Age settlement that was established around 3,500 years ago. Such archaeological sites are located in strategically valuable places offering extensive views over the surrounding area.

The Alcoba Carnival is characterised by the figures of Ahorcado and Maculillo. According to a regional account, this carnival tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. In the immediate vicinity of Santa Quiteria, the festival in honour of San Isidro takes place from 13 to 15 May. The programme includes public celebrations, a communal meal and folk performances. As part of the festivities for Santa Quiteria, locally produced Sobaos and Aigas are blessed and distributed to residents.

The Centro Turístico Astronómico Singular y Planetario is housed in the municipality’s former silo.

Further destinations

Further destinations: Torralba De Calatrava, San Carlos Del Valle, Malagón, Alcolea De Calatrava, La Alameda De Cervera, Puertollano, Valdepeñas, Picón

Routes and Tours

A guided 4x4 tour starts in Alcoba de los Montes and is intended for groups of at least six people. The Laguna Grande de Alcoba route is 7.5 kilometres long, starts in Alcoba and can be completed on foot or by bicycle. The Camino de la Atalaya route connects Alcoba with Santa Quiteria.

The route to Castillo de los Moros begins at the Museo Etnográfico and ends at Castillo de los Moros. It is moderately difficult and takes around three hours. The 6 Springs route starts in the centre of Alcoba and passes through natural landscapes and by natural springs. Different distance and duration details can be compared side by side for day planning.

A designated route in Cabañeros National Park can be undertaken freely on foot or by mountain bike. The Torre de Abraham or Casa Palillos visitor centres serve as starting points.

To the main travel overview: Ciudad Real.