The name says it all: we are in a rough, difficult-to-access zone. Stunning scenery tucked between the gorges and stones of the Barrancos, Pajarejo and Cerro Gordo mountain ranges, with the Escabas river and Truchas stream running between them.

El Hosquillo Exploratory Hunting Park - the full name - is just over an hour from Cuenca. From Las Majadas, the nearest town, a narrow mountain road that winds through pine forests takes us to this spot that first and foremost allows visitors to come into close contact with nature.

It’s a privileged space dedicated to environmental conservation, research and education. As stated on its website -www.parqueelhosquillo.com-, the Park is “a natural laboratory for studying and conserving different wildlife species, and a large outdoor classroom for learning about the conservation of our natural resources.”

The near 1,000 hectares of surface area are covered by lush vegetation featuring Scotch pines, black pines, gall oaks, boxwood, yews, willows, chestnuts, poplars and hazel trees, and countless small plants including beautiful orchids.

This environment is home to a large number of birds, including the griffon vulture, the golden eagle, the peregrine falcon and the eagle owl. With a little luck, we’ll have no problem seeing some of them.

One of the Park’s main highlights is certainly the presence of deer, roe, bucks, mouflons, mountain goats or wild boar, which are all almost at arm’s length. There are also two endangered species, the Iberian wolf and brown bear, which live among the rocky outcrops known as Rincón del Buitre.

This natural beauty turned El Hosquillo into the stage for some of the most spectacular scenes recorded by Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente in his unforgettable El Hombre y la tierra (Men and Earth).

To be able to enjoy these natural charms, we must make a prior booking through the Park’s website which has the opening hours. After arriving, we can enjoy the Hunting Lodge, Interpretation Centre or the aforementioned Rincón del Buitre, and the signposted trails, with stunning views.

The Park opens its doors all year round and any season is a good time to visit, each offering a different experience: the snowy scenery in winter is beautiful; nature’s spring-time explosion; summer’s calm and autumn’s different hues.

It is certainly the perfect plan, at one with nature and recommended for the whole family.