Muniellos, Nature reserve in Cangas del Narcea, Spain
Muniellos is a nature reserve in Cangas del Narcea that protects roughly 5,500 hectares of woodland and contains the largest stand of pedunculate oak on the Iberian Peninsula. The terrain features deep valleys, flowing streams, and dense forest where old-growth trees shape the entire landscape.
The area shifted from timber extraction to protected reserve status in the 1970s, marking a major change in how the land was used and managed. This conservation effort led to its recognition as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2000.
Local communities here practice traditional farming methods that exist alongside conservation goals to protect native plants and animals. This way of life has shaped the land for generations and continues today.
Visits are strictly limited and require advance permission to protect the environment and keep visitor numbers low. Planning ahead and checking the rules beforehand is essential, as drop-in visits are not permitted.
The reserve hosts more than 400 fungal species, many of which are rare and thrive only under specific conditions. Additionally, three glacial lakes sit atop Candanosa Peak, formed during the last ice age and representing unusual geological features.
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