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Holiday villas and apartments for rent on the Costa del Sol,vacation rentals Costa del Sol, holiday accommodation Costa del Sol, Spain from www.costadelsol-vacationrental.com Los Alcornocales National Park.
Enjoy hiking,bird watching and fishing in Los Alcornocales National Park. Los Alcornocales national park covers over 170,000 hectares extending from Tarifa in the south to the Sierra de Grazalema National Park in the north of Andalucia. It is named after its beautiful cork tree forest, which is the largest in Spain and undoubtedly one of the most important in the world. Due to its proximity to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, combined with its altitude in the sierras a micro-climate exists which results in plentiful fresh water all year round which in turn produces a sub-tropical habitat, unique in Europe, that supports a dense growth of rhododendron, laurel, ash and birch along with different species of oak. Since 1989 the Los Alcornocales National Park has had in place a strictly controlled animal protection scheme, the third largest area of protected habitat in Andalucia, which has resulted in the park being home to an impressive variety of birds of prey including, Booted eagles, Imperial eagles, and Griffon Vultures. Smaller birds of prey include peregrine falcons, kestrels and sparrow hawks.Cork oak forests offer one of the most bio diverse habitats in Europe and Los Alcornocales is certainly no exception. They are a marvellous example of how man can have a profitable relationship with nature with both sides benefiting. Years of working in and protecting these forests have produced a remarkable natural environment.The production of cork for use as wine bottle stoppers, cork floor tiles, sound proofing tiles etc. is extremely eco friendly and produves a wonderful product with no threat to the environment. 
The park is home to an impressive number of Griffon Vultures, over 800 pairs, with numbers still increasing. Nesting pairs of storks are also a commom site on their huge stick nests that they construct on specially erected platforms.In addition to the resident birds the forest is also home to many summer breeding species and winter visitors and is also witness to the wonderful site of the migratory birds which use the Straits of Gibraltar in their passage. Animal species that live in Los Alcornocales national Park include otter, deer, wild boar,and many different species of amphibians and reptiles. The park is well supplied with "areas recreativos" where the public are encouraged to get out and enjoy all that the park has to offer. Here you will find picnic tables, BBQs, although this is not to be encouraged during the summer months due to the risk of fire, and rubbish bins. Maps are normally sited in these areas so you can follow one of the well defined foot paths of which there are around 20.There are many lakes and reservoirs throughout Los Alcornocales National Park, many of which are popular with fishermen.
To get to Los Alcornocales National Park from the Costa del Sol take the N340 towards Algeciras but before reaching the town take the new road to Jerez. This goes right through the park and you can explore it by taking any number of exits and heading into the park itself. Particular places to visit are Los Molinos Raudal, Montera del Torero, Charco Redondo and El Celamin, to name but a few. If you call into the tourist information office at San Roque you can pick up a map of the park which will help you to get the most out of your visit there.
Visit the official web site of Los Alcornocales National Park. Hire your holiday car with confidence from HolidayAutos. Search for, and compare prices of, cheap flights with Kelkoo. Keep up to date with all the news and information from the Costa del Sol and Andalucia, Subscribe to our FREE E-Zine"Andalucia Life"
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