repsol-ypf.com

The first national park in the world was Yellowstone (United States), in 1872. In those early years there were hardly any national parks in the world because very few countries had protected natural spaces. In Spain, the first, designated as such in 1918, was the Mountain of Covadonga (now the Picos de Europa). Hard on the heels of the Mountain of Covadonga, came Ordesa. Then some years later would come, Teide, Garajonay, Cabaï¿½eros and all the others up to a total of twelve which currently form the network National Parks of Spain. There are other types of parks where there are also certain limitations on activities likely to damage the countryside or the species of flora and fauna: these are the natural parks, regional parks, biosphere reservations, etc. In Spain the total territory protected with the aim of conserving nature accounts make up 6.25% of the countryï¿½s total surface area.

The great thing about the national parks is that we can all enjoy them. They have visitor centres where you can find out about the geological history which has shaped the landscape, and the plants and animals which have adapted to the habitat. These visitor centres offer exhibitions, documentaries and interactive museums which help us all -big and small- to understand the peculiarities of the life forms of the park. They also tell you how difficult each particular route is through the parks, and which ones are suitable for all the family. Some excursions can be made on foot, others use off-road vehicles, and however you go itï¿½s best to get a guide to show you where the best viewing points are, for example, and the best times to see the animals. The guides will remind you that a national park is not a zoo and that it is not always easy to see the animals. In fact there are wardens in the National Park of Doï¿½ana who have spent months there before spotting a lynx, so visitors shouldnï¿½t leave the park disappointed because they havenï¿½t seen one, but rather enjoy the sensation of walking round one of the wildest corners of the continent, home to the most threatened species of cat in the world.

To see the soaring flight of the lammergeier in Ordesa, or the gigantic echium flower in the Teide park are experiences few will want to miss. In recent years the twelve national parks have been getting some ten million visitors a year, which gives some idea of their success. And to get the most out of each visit, what you should do is to find out which is the best time of the year to visit. For example, the Tablas de Daimiel (an area of wetland) begins to abound with life around this time of year, with the arrival of the Autumn rains and the flocks of birds, which fly from the northern Europe to spend the winter here with us. So itï¿½s handy to consult one of the many national park guidebooks available. The Ministry of the Environmentï¿½s web page has detailed information to help you plan your visit.

ROUTE THROUGH THE TABLAS DE DAIMIEL (CIUDAD REAL)
One of the most popular routes through the park is the one which goes round the Isla de Pan (Isle of Bread). The route is just 2 km long and follows a path which joins up several islands so its very easy walking. From these islands you get different views of the Wetlands and its vegetation, and you can see the bird life resting, catching fish and amphibians, or flying over the area. Grey and purple herons, black winged stilts, cormorants, red crested pochards, mallards and red shovelers can all be seen, calmly going about their business . With a bit more luck maybe youï¿½ll see an otter or a European turtle poking its head out of the water.

The route goes as far as the Isle of Bread, which has a viewing position at its highest point with an excellent panoramic view of all the Tablas. On the way back you can visit the Wood of Tarayes, the most important wood on the island. If you like, from the path you can get to the acclimatization lake, where large numbers of the most typical ducks in the park gather.