Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente

Mirador Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente is a scenic viewpoint in the Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park, right on the A-319 road that runs alongside the Tranco reservoir and the Guadalquivir River, within the municipality of Cazorla. It honors Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente (1928–1980), a Spanish naturalist, ecologist and broadcaster — trained as a doctor and self-taught in biology — best known for creating and hosting the landmark television series "El Hombre y la Tierra" (1974–1980). Many episodes of that program were filmed in these mountains, which is why this stretch of the Sierra de Cazorla remains so closely tied to his name.

How do you get there?

The viewpoint sits directly off the A-319, at the point where the road runs toward the Tranco reservoir inside the Cazorla, Segura y las Villas park. It makes an easy stop for anyone driving along the reservoir toward Arroyo Frío, with no long hike required to reach the lookout itself.

What will you see?

From the platform, the view opens onto the Tranco reservoir and the Guadalquivir riverbed below. Rising from the water is the small island of Bujaraiza, where the ruins of a medieval castle are still visible — one of the most recognizable landmarks in this part of the park. The mirador also marks the starting point of the Ruta Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, an 18-kilometer trail created in 2001 by Joaquín Araújo, a collaborator on the television series during its final six years. The route is marked every thousand meters with stone cairns and follows the reservoir and river, linking a series of viewpoints along the way.

What wildlife lives here?

The area around the mirador is home to semi-wild populations of red deer, fallow deer and mouflon. With a bit of patience, visitors can spot them directly from the viewpoint or along the trail. It was precisely this combination of wildlife and landscape that drew the "El Hombre y la Tierra" film crews here decades ago, and it remains the main reason to stop today.

When should you visit?

Early morning and late afternoon offer the best chances of spotting animals, when they are most active, and the light falls favorably on the reservoir and the castle-topped island. Spring and autumn bring milder temperatures, making them good seasons either for walking the full trail or for a shorter stop at the viewpoint itself.

Who is this place for?

The mirador works well as a brief stop while driving through the park, but it's also the natural starting point for hikers wanting to tackle the full 18-kilometer route along the Guadalquivir. It appeals equally to nature lovers and landscape photographers, as well as anyone interested in the history of Spanish nature broadcasting.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the viewpoint named after Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente? Because numerous episodes of his series "El Hombre y la Tierra" were filmed in this part of the Sierra de Cazorla, and the viewpoint became a symbolic tribute to his conservation work.

Can you see castle ruins from the viewpoint? Yes — the remains of a medieval fortress are visible on Bujaraiza island, in the middle of the Tranco reservoir.

How long is the full Ruta Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente? The trail runs 18 kilometers and is marked every thousand meters with stone cairns; you can walk it in full or simply stop at the starting viewpoint.

What animals can be seen in the area? Semi-wild populations of red deer, fallow deer and mouflon live nearby and can often be observed up close under the right conditions.