Bardenas Reales Natural Park: A Desert in the Heart of Spain

July 7, 2024

Ever stumbled upon a place that makes you wonder if you’ve accidentally left Spain and landed on another continent? Well, Bardenas Reales defiantly feels more like American West desert than the heart of Spain. Just an hour drive from Pamplona, this semi-desert feels like it’s been taken straight out of a sci-fi cowboys movie (Westworld anyone?). With its weird and wonderful rock formations, endless open spaces, and that ‘middle of nowhere’ feeling, Bardenas Reales is the kind of place that’ll have your camera roll filled in no time.

Where Is It?

Just over an hour’s drive from Pamplona Navarra, lies one of Spain’s most unique natural wonders – Bardenas Reales Natural Park. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve spans across three regions (Ribera, Erronkari, and Zaraitzu) and nearly 100,000 acres of otherworldly terrain, sculpted over millennia by wind and water into a landscape that seems more lunar than terrestrial.

For fans of HBO’s Game of Thrones, this This semi-desert wonder, with its sculpted badlands and vast open spaces is the Dothraki Sea.

mountain looms over Bardenas Reales' semi-desert landscape. This photo captures a large, solitary butte or mesa rising from a flat desert plain. The formation has steep, striated sides with visible layers of rock, suggesting years of erosion. The foreground shows sparse desert vegetation, mostly dry grasses. The sky is a clear, deep blue, contrasting with the warm oranges and browns of the landscape. — mountain looms over Bardenas Reales’ semi-desert landscape

Why Visit?

The stark beauty of the badlands, with clay and sandstone formations, creates a landscape that’s a photographer’s (or a TikToker/Instagramer… ahm ahm) dream. The park is home to diverse flora and fauna, adapted to survive in this harsh semi-desert environment. Being just a ‘semi’ desert doesn’t really makes it semi hard to survive here.

Iconic pinnacle rock formation rises from Bardenas Reales' arid plains. This image features a dramatic rock formation known as a hoodoo. It's a tall, conical spire of rock with a distinctive shape, broader at the base and tapering towards the top, with a small cap rock. The rock is light beige in color and shows clear signs of erosion with striations along its sides. It stands alone against a bright blue sky, dominating the landscape. — Iconic pinnacle rock formation rises from Bardenas Reales’ arid plains

The highlight of your visit will be exploring the three distinct zones of the park: El Plano, a flat steppe-like area; Bardena Blanca, the iconic badlands; and Bardena Negra, characterized by its vegetation. As you discover the park, you’ll be treated to panoramic views that stretch to the horizon, making you feel like you’ve stepped into another world entirely, but also something familiar altogether.

Tips on How to Visit

Check for Closures: Parts of the park close periodically for military exercises. Always check the official website before your visit.

Plan Your Route: The park is vast. Research and decide which areas you want to explore beforehand. Popular spots include:

Castil de Tierra: The iconic eroded formation

El Fraile: A striking rock formation resembling a hooded monk

Rallón: A flat-topped hill offering panoramic views

Consider a Guide: While you can explore independently, a local guide can provide insights into the geology, history, and ecology of the area.

Fill Up Your Gas Tank: There are no gas stations within the park, so make sure you have enough fuel for your visit.

Lone tree stands resilient against Bardenas Reales' vast desert backdrop. his picture shows a barren, rocky landscape with a single tree in the foreground. The ground is pale and cracked, suggesting a very dry climate. The lone tree appears to be struggling to survive, with sparse foliage. In the background, you can see flat-topped hills or mesas. The sky is partly cloudy, adding some drama to the scene. — Lone tree stands resilient against Bardenas Reales’ vast desert backdrop

Getting There

By Car (Recommended): From Pamplona, take the AP-15 towards Tudela. Exit onto the N-121 towards Valtierra-Arguedas. Follow signs to Bardenas Reales. Drive time: About 1 hour

By Guided Tour: Several companies offer day trips from Pamplona or nearby towns. This can be a great option if you want to learn more about the park’s geology and history.

Pro tip: For the best light (and temperatures), visit early morning or late afternoon. The play of shadows across the landscape is simply magical – perfect for those Instagram-worthy shots!

Night sky stretches over Bardenas Reales' desert landscape. This image captures a nighttime desert scene. In the foreground, there are sandy dunes or rocky formations. The sky is the most striking element, filled with countless stars creating a breathtaking display. The colors transition from a warm orange glow on the horizon to a deep teal in the upper sky. It gives a sense of the vastness and beauty of the desert at night. — Night sky stretches over Bardenas Reales’ desert landscape

Sure, Bardenas Reales is no beach resort or bustling city, but that’s exactly what makes it special. Whether you came for the Instagram shots, or just to see a side of Spain that’s about as far from flamenco and paella as you can get, Bardenas Reales delivers.

Remember to pack out what you pack in, stick to marked trails, and leave this unique landscape as you found it. After all, it took Mother Nature millions of years to sculpt this masterpiece.