Demanda mountain range, Nature reserve in Province of Burgos, Spain.
The Demanda is a mountain chain spanning the border between Burgos and La Rioja provinces in northern Spain, covered with beech and oak forests that change with elevation. Several marked hiking routes cross the range, with the highest peaks exceeding 2.200 meters.
People have lived in and around these mountains since ancient times, leaving behind burial grounds that show long human presence in the region. Over centuries, the ridge served as a natural dividing line between kingdoms and administrative areas, shaping the borders we see today.
The mountain range has long shaped how people in surrounding villages organize their lives and celebrations, with each community maintaining distinct traditions tied to the highland landscape. Walking through the valleys, you notice how the ridge above influences everything from where settlements sit to when local festivals happen.
You can reach the range by several hiking trails of varying difficulty, with some routes taking just a few hours and others requiring more time for higher peaks. Weather changes quickly at elevation, so bring sturdy shoes, a jacket, and plenty of water regardless of season.
High in the Frio River valley lie several glacial lakes formed thousands of years ago when ice sheets covered the peaks, creating an uncommon landscape you will not find elsewhere in the region. These cold-water pools sit at high elevation and draw few visitors, making them quiet places to experience the mountain's geology firsthand.
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