Navalvillar De Pela brings together protected landscapes, birdwatching and a summery culinary touch. The municipality lies within the designated Embalse de Orellana y Sierra de Pela protected area; the Sierra de Pela is also designated as a bird protection area. Other highlights include the Dehesa de Moheda Alta and the Camino Cerro de las Cruces, with its panoramic views. Ajoblanco adds a dish with a summery note to these nature themes. This gives you several ways to plan a stay: protected areas, wildlife watching, sweeping landscapes and local cuisine.
Protected Areas and Birdlife
The Embalse de Orellana y Sierra de Pela area is designated as a Zona de Especial Conservación and also includes the municipality of Navalvillar de Pela. The Sierra de Pela is additionally designated as a Zona Especial de Protección de Aves (ZEPA). This brings together two perspectives: a protected area that also includes the municipality, and a bird protection area in the Sierra de Pela.
Here you can observe griffon vultures, golden eagles, Montagu’s harriers, hen harriers and black storks. Sightings are seasonal and variable. If birdwatching is important to your trip, plan for it with an open mind: the species provide a specific focus, but a particular sighting cannot be planned with certainty.
The Plain of the Dehesa de Moheda Alta
The Parque Periurbano de Conservación y Ocio Dehesa de Moheda Alta is located within the municipality and covers 150 hectares. It lies on a plain between the Cubilar and Ruecas rivers. The Junta de Extremadura designated the area on 6 March 2001. Its area, location and designation date give the park a clear geographical and historical context.
The plain between two rivers differs in landscape from the Sierra de Pela. When exploring Navalvillar De Pela’s nature, you can distinguish between the river landscape of the Dehesa de Moheda Alta and the birdlife of the Sierra. These are different aspects of the destination: here, the specific location and size of a park; there, a protected area where various bird species can be observed.
Panoramic Views from the Camino Cerro de las Cruces
From the Mirador de las Torretas, the Camino Cerro de las Cruces offers panoramic views of the Sierra de las Villuercas, the Sierra de Pela, the plains of the Ruecas, the Cubilar and Moheda Alta, as well as the Sierra Brava reservoir. The view therefore takes in mountain ranges, plains and a body of water. How far the panorama extends depends on the weather.
This viewpoint offers a different perspective from observing individual bird species: the focus is on several named landscape features and how they come together in the view. The difference is clear when choosing a nature theme. Those primarily interested in birds will find a connection to the Sierra de Pela; those who want to take in landscapes as a whole can explore the Mirador and its panorama.
Ajoblanco as a Summery Touch
Ajoblanco is one of Navalvillar de Pela’s refreshing summer dishes. This adds a local culinary aspect to trip planning, alongside the protected areas and panoramic views. Its association with summer gives the dish a clear seasonal character, without requiring a visit to any particular restaurant.
If you are interested in both nature and food, ajoblanco complements the landscape and birdlife themes with a specific connection to local cuisine. Navalvillar De Pela can thus be appreciated not only through its protected areas and panoramas: its summer food culture is another aspect that may play a part when choosing a destination.
Discover more destinations: Santa Amalia, Aljucén, Zalamea De La Serena, Malcocinado, Bienvenida, La Roca De La Sierra, Orellana La Vieja, Fuenlabrada De Los Montes
For the main travel overview: Badajoz.
