Valle del Cabriel Biosphere Reserve: 37 municipalities

Valle del Cabriel Biosphere Reserve

The Valle del Cabriel Biosphere Reserve was designated by the International Co-ordinating Council of UNESCO's MaB programme on 19 June 2019. According to the BOE it has 421,765.93 hectares and 37 municipalities in the province of Cuenca; the Ministry gives 421,797.77. It is divided into core, buffer and transition zones.

A reserve with three tasks

Biosphere Reserves began in 1971 under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere programme. They have three tasks: caring for nature, helping local people make a living from it and supporting research and teaching. Castilla-La Mancha has three: Mancha Húmeda, Valle del Cabriel and Alto Turia.

The Valle del Cabriel

It was designated on 19 June 2019. It covers the Cabriel basin and 37 municipalities of Cuenca, such as Cañete, Mira, Landete, Talayuelas, Villar del Humo or Víllora. It covers about 421,766 hectares, with 61,252 in the core zone, 90,489 in the buffer zone and 270,025 in transition; another official figure gives 421,798.

A plan with the villagers

The management plan is being prepared through village workshops. At the «desayunos participativos» (participatory breakfasts) of 2025, villagers from Salinas del Manzano, Víllora or Enguídanos discussed heritage, water, paths and services.

Plan your visit

Combine with

The Chorreras del Cabriel, Laguna de Talayuelas and the Villar del Humo rock shelters.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Biosphere Reserve?

A territory recognised by UNESCO under the Man and the Biosphere programme (MaB, 1971) to reconcile conservation, residents' socioeconomic development and support for research and education.

How large is it?

421,765.93 hectares according to the BOE: 61,251.58 in the core zone, 90,488.99 in the buffer zone and 270,025.36 in transition. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition gives 421,797.77; both figures are retained.