DETOUR 05: Banderillas

Description

The Banderillas, which with its 1993 meters of altitude is the roof of the Sierra de Segura, is a peak where we will get one of the best mountain views of Andalusia.

Its west face is very abrupt and vertical on the valleys of the River Aguamulas and Arroyo de la Campana, while to the east its slope is much softer and rises on the altiplanicie of the fields of Hernán Perea.

The Derivation begins in the heart of this altiplanicie, located between the 1600-1700 meters of altitude, devoid of trees for the most part, very rocky and with infinity of formations as a funnel (dolines and simas).

This area is the largest "sponge" in the Park, as the limestone absorbs water, dissolving over the years and forming this landscape so characteristic that many resemble the lunar landscape.

Although on certain occasions of the year a desert and dry land may even appear to be a ground, nothing further than reality, as under us is the largest underground aquifer of the Park. It is an area of abundant and fresh pastures in the months of the estuo that houses the largest livestock cabin of the Park, being the sheep following a native race perfectly adapted to these lands and much appreciated for the quality of its lambs.
This tour has two well-differentiated parts, the first one, in which the altiplanicie is traveled on a practically flat ground, and the second one, in which we rise to conquer its summit.

The area is especially rich in fauna, and it can surprise the four species of large herbivores in addition to the omnipresent boars, foxes, rapaces and vultures. Botanically it is also a special area, as endemic plants find in these large rock tops their suitable habitat.

In spring we will be able to discover several of these species in the rupic ecosystem. The route culminates in the fire surveillance shed, very close to the geodetic point, which is accessed by crest. Once there we will be fascinated by the views.