Valles del Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama Biosphere Reserve

Valles del Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama Biosphere Reserve is a vast protected landscape in the south-eastern part of La Rioja, Spain, recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 2003. It covers roughly a quarter of the region's total surface area, yet is home to only a small fraction of La Rioja's population — this is above all a rural, farming and pastoral territory, not an urbanized one.

How did this landscape take shape?

The reserve spans the valleys of four rivers — the Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama — which have carved through Mediterranean mountains over thousands of years, creating canyon-like passes, rocky riverbeds and deep gorges. This terrain, alternately dry and stony on the heights and green and fertile in the valley floors, gives the region its distinctive, contrasting character. The highest peaks within the reserve reach around 1,600 meters above sea level, a considerable elevation by La Rioja standards.

What grows and lives in these valleys?

Vegetation across the reserve follows a typical Mediterranean pattern — forests of species adapted to a temperate but dry climate, interspersed with aromatic scrubland and stony slopes. The dominant tree species is the holm oak, well suited to the local soil and climate conditions. The rocky canyon stretches of the rivers, full of crevices and cliffs, provide ideal nesting habitat for birds of prey — griffon vultures are regularly seen in the area, using thermal air currents above the gorges to soar and hunt.

What do people in these valleys do for a living?

The economy varies noticeably between the different valleys of the reserve. In the Leza and Jubera valleys, livestock farming dominates — mainly cattle, but also sheep, goats and bees, a traditional occupation passed down through generations. The Cidacos valley tells a different story: it concentrates the reserve's main tourist draws. Livestock farming still exists there, but tourism has become the leading economic activity, anchored by a dinosaur-themed amusement park, fossil footprint sites, museums, and both public and private spas.

Why is this reserve worth a visit?

The Valles del Leza, Jubera, Cidacos y Alhama Biosphere Reserve offers a chance to combine contact with raw Mediterranean nature — canyons, gorges and birds of prey circling above the cliffs — with a journey into prehistory in the Cidacos valley. It suits travelers looking for a quieter, less crowded side of La Rioja, away from the region's well-trodden wine routes, and closer instead to geology, paleontology and a traditional pastoral way of life.

Frequently asked questions

When was the region designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve? In 2003.

Which rivers define the boundaries of the reserve? The Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama.

What tourist attraction stands out in the Cidacos valley? A dinosaur-themed amusement park and fossil footprint sites, along with museums and spas.

Which tree species dominates the reserve's forests? The holm oak, typical of the region's Mediterranean climate.