Bardenas Reales

A film-set desert right by the house

The Bardenas Reales are a semi-desert landscape unique in Europe, a Natural Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: buttes, ravines and plateaus that change colour with the light. Fustiñana is one of the historic towns with rights over the Bardenas and calls itself ‘the gateway to the Bardena Negra’, so staying here means having them right on your doorstep.

The three Bardenas and where to go in from the house

• The Bardena Negra (south): the closest to Fustiñana, with limestone plateaus and pine woods. The edge of the park is about 10 minutes from the house along the track that leads out of the village towards Portimayor.
• The Bardena Blanca (centre): the one you see in all the photos, with Castildetierra, El Rallón and Pisquerra. You enter via Arguedas: the Information Centre is about 35 minutes away and Castildetierra about 45.
• El Plano (north): a large cultivated plateau, and the least visited of the three.

The must-sees

• Bardena Blanca perimeter track: about 25 km by car (≈2 hours with stops), looping around the most photographed spots.
• Castildetierra: the park's most famous fairy chimney, with parking right next to it. Best first thing in the morning or at sunset.
• Sunset in the Bardena Negra: without leaving the Fustiñana area, the plateaus and pine woods put on spectacular sunsets.

Castildetierra on Google Maps

The Bardenas with kids: short, easy walks

• Barranco de las Cortinas: a flat 1 km walk starting from Castildetierra. Perfect for little legs (avoid it after rain).
• El Fraile: a 4.6 km return walk with a bit of a climb, at the southern tip. You get there via the road from Fustiñana to Tauste (NA-126) and then a track of about 4 km.
• Short stops by car: with young children, the perimeter track with several 10-15 minute stops works better than a long hike.
• Right by the house: in Fustiñana you can see fossil footprints some 19 million years old on a 1 km walk. Kids love it!

Rules worth knowing

• Open to visitors from 8:00 until an hour before dusk.
• Speed limit of 40 km/h, and only on signposted tracks (bikes included).
• No camping, drone flying or climbing; dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
• There's a military zone in the Bardena Blanca: on some days, during exercises, part of the perimeter track is closed.
• During the bird breeding season, access to some protected areas is closed (El Rallón, Pisquerra, La Ralla…).

Always check the official notices before setting off. Bring water, a cap, sun cream and closed shoes: there are no drinking fountains or facilities inside the park, and after rain the mud sticks to everything.

A perfect day (suggestion)

1. Morning: the Bardena Blanca perimeter track and a photo at Castildetierra in the best light.
2. Midday: lunch in Tudela (Ribera vegetables) or back at the house.
3. Afternoon: Sendaviva with the little ones, or a siesta and sunset in the Bardena Negra.

Bringing bikes? The house has a dedicated space to store them. Remember that in the park you may only ride on authorised tracks.

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