Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, Bardenas, Navarra, Spain

© Aliaume Chapelle/Tandem Stills + Motio

Breath-taking silence. Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, Navarra, Spain

Within the scenic landscape of Navarra, northern Spain, the Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park is like a surrealist painting come to life! This park is renowned for its desert-like landscapes sculpted by millennia of erosion. Featuring rocky plateaus, canyons and whimsically shaped clay structures called cabezos, the park is a playground of geological wonders.

Designated as a natural park in 1999 and a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2000, Bardenas Reales is also a haven for diverse flora and fauna adapted to its arid conditions. The park is home to a variety of birds and animals, such as the great bustard, golden eagles, vultures, mountain cats, wild boars and numerous reptiles. Spread across around 104,000 acres (42,000 hectares), the park's semi-desert environment and unique geological formations make it an important site for scientific research and conservation efforts. If you wish to discover a place where natural beauty meets wild surprises around every bend, Bardenas Reales should be on your bucket list!