Bordering the neighbouring Sierra de Andújar Natural Park and the province of Ciudad Real, the serenity of the area is reflected in the landscape, with smooth formations and undulating hills, a result of slow granite erosion. The only exceptions are the Yeguas and Arenoso rivers, home to a number of otters, where the landscape becomes rockier.

The vegetation that covers it is made up of, almost in equal parts, meadows, reforestated pine forest and Mediterranean forest, making it an ideal place for big and small game hunting. Meanwhile, in the stone and resin pine forests, pine nuts and wood are made use of. In the meadows, the infrequent agricultural use is combined with livestock, in addition to the collection of honey and other traditional extractive produce. Therefore, one simply must sample the famous delights of the acorn-fed Iberian pig, and stews made using the local game. The cows milk from this region of Los Pedroches is also renowned.

The natural park offers a series of trails that visitors can explore on foot, horseback, donkey or bike. On all of them you will see herds of pigs and grazing cows in the meadows, and, depending on the season and time of day, deer and wild boar. It is also common to see birds of prey, since numerous species of eagles (imperial, golden, booted and short-toed), vultures (black and griffin) coexist alongside both black and white stork.

The Aldea del Cerezo-Venta del Charco signposted trail passes through the only Pyrenean oak meadow in the province. It is also home to typical rounded granite blocks, called “bolos” by locals. At nightfall you can rest in the rural lodgings in both villages.

Time in the natural park can be rounded off with a visit to the Venta Nueva Visitor Centre, which is extremely informative of the natural area and also provides information on the different hiking routes that can be done. For instance, a walk over the Gothic-Renaissance bridge of the stately Montoro and around its points of historical and artistic interest, after which you should make a stop to sample “logroñesas”, typical sweet products of the area, such as marzipan buns. Another option, in Cardeña, is to try the many dishes that comprise Iberian pork and game meat.

This park is a space in which its inhabitants have come to live in harmony with the natural environment; where the rural landscape of the villages contrasts with the aristocracy of Montoro; and where traditional uses, crafts and, in more recent years, growing tourism sustains the economy of the area.