Discover the Green Spain Ecotourism Reserve

May 7th 2025

We're embarking on an exciting journey, and we want you to be part of it. Today marks the beginning of this blog, created as a meeting point for ecotourism and nature lovers. Here you'll discover incredible places, unforgettable experiences, and tips for responsibly exploring the protected natural areas of the world. Green Spain Ecotourism Reserve in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. We invite you to follow us, share your experiences, and become part of this community committed to sustainable travel and the preservation of our natural and cultural heritage. 

A trip to nature in its purest form

And the Ecotourism Reserve It is a group of protected natural areas in Green Spain, united by a common strategy to promote ecotourism and conservation. This initiative brings together some of the most valuable enclaves in the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia, offering travelers authentic experiences in contact with nature, culture, and biodiversity. Here, sustainable tourism is not just an option, but the central axis of every activity, allowing you to discover spectacular landscapes while contributing to their preservation.

Our proposal is clear: to explore the Ecotourism Reserve through a route that connects more than 25 protected natural areas. National Parks, Natural Parks, Nature Reserves, Biosphere Reserves, and UNESCO Geoparks, all enclaves of incalculable ecological value, await you to discover them with a responsible and respectful eye.

From the cliffs that challenge the Cantabrian Sea to the high mountains, the Ecotourism Reserve It's a refuge for those seeking a different way of traveling, far removed from conventional tourism. It's the ideal destination for those who want to immerse themselves in the authenticity of nature and connect with their surroundings in a conscious way.

Sustainable tourism: a commitment to the future

At Green Spain Ecotourism ReserveWe believe in tourism that not only respects the environment but also strengthens local communities. Each experience offered here has been designed by tourism companies located in protected areas, in collaboration with local stakeholders such as natural area managers, tourism associations, and rural development groups.

This means that by visiting these destinations, you'll not only be enjoying unparalleled landscapes and their flora and fauna, but you'll also be contributing to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and supporting the communities that make this project a reality.

La Ecotourism Reserve It's a destination for everyone. Here you can:

  • Discover the 11 Biosphere Reserves spread across Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country. These spaces are true sanctuaries of biodiversity and ecotourism. Hiking their trails is an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and discover unique landscapes. Among them are: The Picos de Europa Biosphere Reserve, shared between Asturias, Cantabria and León, where nature makes its way between imposing mountains; Río Eo, Oscos and Terras do Burón Biosphere Reserve, where lush valleys hide charming landscapes and villages; Ribeira Sacra e Serras do Oribio e Courel Biosphere Reserve, with its Atlantic forests that embrace the canyons of the Sil and the Miño; Os Ancares Lucenses e Montes de Cervantes, Navia and Becerreá Biosphere Reserve, a paradise for hiking lovers in the heart of the Cantabrian mountains; Mariñas Coruñesas and Terras do Mandeo Biosphere Reserve, where organic and zero-mile agri-food production is key to natural balance and the local economy; or the Urdaibai Basque Reserve, in the Basque Country, a wetland of international importance and refuge for numerous migratory species.

But in addition to the Biosphere Reserves, in this territory you will find National Parks, such as Picos de Europa, which houses one of the largest karst formations in Europe; Natural parks, which shelter impressive landscapes of mountains, coast and river valleys; UNESCO Global Geoparks, which allow you to discover the geological history of the region through its rock formations and fossils; as well as an extensive network of spaces included in the Natura 2000, with Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Sites of Community Importance (SCI), which protect habitats essential for flora and fauna. This set of protection measures makes Green Spain a true natural sanctuary where conservation and ecotourism go hand in hand. An interesting fact to note is that 29% of Green Spain's surface area is protected natural landscapes.

  • Observe wild animals in their natural habitat, from the majestic Cantabrian brown bear to imposing birds like the bearded vulture, as secretive as the middle spotted woodpecker, and as unique as the wallcreeper.
  • Discover charming villages, where life flows at the rhythm of nature, and capture the beauty of the landscapes with your camera from the network of viewpoints. The changing light and the color palette of each season turn every corner into a unique opportunity for nature photography, from ancient forests to imposing cliffs and hidden valleys.
  • Taste local products in markets and restaurants committed to sustainable gastronomy.
  • And, of course, sleep in accommodations where sustainability is a key component and where you'll also feel right at home. 

Follow us on this journey!

This is just the beginning. In this blog, we'll tell you more about each of these territories, their best-kept secrets, and the best ecotourism experiences awaiting you. We want to inspire you to travel sustainably and discover a Spain where nature is the center of attention.

So get ready, because the Green Spain Ecotourism Reserve is ready to surprise you. Will you join us on this journey?

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