Cañón Leza, Reserva de Biosfera Reserva de Biosfera de los Valles del Leza, Jubera, Cidacos y Alhama, España

Valles del Jubera, Leza, Cidacos y Alhama (Spain)

The eastern mountain ranges of La Rioja have been shaped by the rivers Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama. These rivers course through valleys covered with Mediterranean forest, canyons, rocky beds and gorges that provide the perfect habitat for communities of birds of prey to nest, particularly griffon vultures. Along the rivers, different tree species succeed one another to form a landscape dominated by ash groves. In addition to its castles and villages, such as Arenedillo, Enciso and Cervera del río Alhama, the region is also famous for its outstanding palaeontological sites, thermal springs and the Celtic remains of Contrebia Leukade. The Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama Valleys were designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2003.

The Valles del Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama Biosphere Reserve of the is located on the south-eastern border of the region of La Rioja, Spain, and occupies around 24% of its surface area (122,811 ha), although it is only home to 2% of its population. It is a territory of valleys and mountains that harbours a great wealth of distinct features, in terms of culture, scenery, nature, gastronomy and ethnography.

Arnedillo, Reserva de Biosfera de los Valles del Leza, Jubera, Cidacos y Alhama

40 municipalities

are included in the biosphere reserve, of which 27 are encompassed entirely. The population density in the biosphere reserve is very low: an average of 5.16 inhabitants/km². The territory has 16 depopulated areas as a consequence of depopulation and rural exodus.

Courtesy of Cristina Galilea

+ 11.000 dinosaur footprints

Spread over 176 sites, these footprints, thanks to their number, quality and state of preservation, make up one of the most important palaeontological collections in the world.

Dinosaur footprints, Valles del Leza, Jubera, Cidacos y Alhama Biosphere Reserve

Almost 1,000

people attended the eight days of the "Starry Nights in the Biosphere Reserve" programme in 2022 to enjoy its magnificent night sky. The biosphere reserve was designated as a Starlight Tourist Destination in 2012, the first to be declared in a protected area. 

Milky way galaxy seen from the Valles del Leza, Jubera, Cidacos y Alhama Biosphere Reserve

Cultural assets

There are 65 assets of cultural interest in the territory, the Celtiberian site of Contrebia Leucade being of them. It is one of the oldest settlements in La Rioja, in which are preserved cave dwellings, a water well and an important wall.

Contrebia Pasea La Rioja Spain

The cliffs and gorges

The cliffs and gorges, shaped by wind and water, are common in the biosphere reserve. They compose an abrupt and rugged landscape where several rock birds nest, such as Bonelli's eagle (Neophron percnopterus), the Egyptian vulture (Falco peregrinus), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), the red-breasted rock thrush (Monticola saxatilis), solitary rock thrush (Monticola solitarius) and wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria).

 

Rutas del Silencio Valles del Leza, Jubera, Cidacos y Alhama Biosphere Reserve

The Biosphere Reserve brand

The brand "La Rioja, Biosphere Reserve. Valles del Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama" is a sustainability label that identifies responsibly produced goods and services in the territory. There are currently 83 operators using to the brand.

 

Biosphere Reserve branded products

Hot springs

Thermal facilities are also present in the biosphere reserve, where numerous natural hot and medicinal springs can be found.

 

Arnedillo thermal baths La Rioja region

The Plio-Quaternary Villarroya Basin and Climate Change

The Pilocuaternary Villarroya Basin contains information on how our climate will evolve. It contains palaeoecological indicators and extensive palaeoclimatic information that can be studied in the sedimentary layers of the lake basin on the site. The results obtained are useful to understand how the El Niño phenomenon will evolve in the near future. Thus, the results obtained are taken into account by scientists from all over the world, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Barranco de Vallejo de la Horna de Villarroya, La Rioja Province