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- publicado 31.10.2021
- por Cuenqueando
The Birth of the Cuervo River
The Cuervo River is a subtributary of the Tagus hydrographic basin that, curiously, rises very close to the sources of the Júcar River, so close that only the Muela de San Felipe separates both sources. This mountainous area of the Serranía de Cuenca, in fact, breaks the Atlantic and Mediterranean slopes, so that, despite the proximity of the source of both rivers, the waters that nourish them separate until they end up pouring into points as opposite as Lisbon and Cullera respectively. But the drama of the orography of the area will not only leave us with this curiosity, but also some of the most spectacular landscapes and the most peculiar ecosystems of the Natural Park. This is the case of the area around the Source of the Cuervo River, which has earned it recognition as a Natural Monument. From Cuenqueando we invite you to discover this privileged space.
The most spectacular and striking thing about the natural monument of the Nacimiento del Río Cuervo are its waterfalls, these are caused by a natural calcareous tuff that has acted as a dam for the river. The waterfalls, the result of the Toba overflow, are only a few hundred meters from the parking lot and, from there, there is perfect accessibility for baby strollers or wheelchairs. These waterfalls offer us a surprising play of water, especially in winter and spring. From here we will still have a little more than half a kilometer to the source of the river itself, which includes a steep slope to overcome the waterfalls. In total, the route is just two kilometers and can be done in an hour.
The Cuervo River has generated a very peculiar ecosystem around its source, with a specific flora, a curious mix of mountain and river vegetation. The Scots Pine proliferates here, but we also find numerous specimens of Holly, Yew or Boxwood, and a complete ecosystem of riverside vegetation. In addition, depending on the time of year, we can also observe more than a dozen different species of small Orchids. Animal biodiversity is also high in this environment and the types of birds and insects that inhabit it vary throughout the year. It is easy to observe specimens of small birds such as the robin and different types of butterflies.
If you like what you read, you will most like to sit in front of this natural monument that is an authentic spectacle of nature in the Serranía de Cuenca. So we invite you to visit this amazing place on your next getaway to Cuenca, and don't miss our recommendation of the 10 essential places of Cuenca Range.