Calares del Mundo y de la Sima Natural Park, Protected natural area in Albacete Province, Spain
Calares del Mundo y de la Sima Natural Park is a protected area in Albacete Province, Spain, built around limestone plateaus, deep gorges, and one of the largest karst landscapes on the Iberian Peninsula. The Mundo River has its source here and drops as a waterfall into a deep hollow, surrounded by cave systems and sinkholes carved into the rock.
The area was granted protected status in 2005, in recognition of its geological formations and the karst features that developed over millions of years. Before that, the land was used mainly for grazing and timber, with little formal management of its natural structures.
The villages around the park still follow rhythms shaped by sheep and goat herding, and visitors passing through nearby towns can see this way of life in the landscape itself. Stone walls, grazing animals, and small farmsteads are common sights along the roads leading to the park.
Sturdy, waterproof footwear is strongly recommended, as many trails are uneven and wet, particularly near the river source and in cave areas. Visitor centers in nearby towns can help with route planning and give advice on which paths are easier or more demanding.
Anthyllis rupestris, a rare plant, has one of its most important populations in the world growing in the rocky crevices of the limestone slopes here. It is so closely tied to this specific habitat that it is found almost nowhere else, making the park a key site for its survival.
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