Bardenas Reales National Park is the greatest desert in Europe with around 42,000 hectares in the great depression of the Ebro Valley, south of Navarra and north of Spain. Suffers a very dry weather with sporadic torrential rains and a strong wind called “cierzo”, who has have sculpted the mountains to get a very unique appearance..
Mountains sculpted by the wind
There are three main different areas in the park: The Bardena Blanca is the most desert looking one with sevel gorges and white ground because of the salty terrain. Then we have the Plano, a flat plateau where the Aragon river passes. And there if the Bardena Negra, with different height plateaus, cliffs and a characteristic dark soil.
Really beautiful place and very unique, it’s been trendy lately because some scenes of Game of Thrones were shot in here. It appears during the first episodes of the 6th season, where the Dothraki lords captured Daenerys and the horde started the migration.
Rock formation called Cabezo de Castildetierra
Abandoned hut
Sun spell through the clouds
Bardenas Reales plateau
After rain pond
Clay road for cars and bikes
Sedimentary terrain
Impressive Rock sculpture
Sheep flocks still passing through
The beginning of the park
Blue sky over Bardenas Reales
Desertic and dry landscape
Finally here is the video of a French traveler discovering Bardenas Reales by bicycle, worth checking!
How to get to Bardenas Reales: the nearest biggest city is Pamplona, 100km away from the park and which has an small airport that could be handy. From there the best way is to rent a car, head to the town of Arguedas, take the N- 134 to the south and after 3km you should be there.
How to move around Bardenas Reales: you can move by car, 4×4, bike or just walking since there are paths for both. We recommended to go by the information center to plan your visit.
What to do in Bardenas Reales: visit the different areas of the park by bike it’s probably the best way to experience the park and enjoy the amazing landscape.
Credit: photos by Que Sabes De.
