LAS TABLAS DE DAIMIEL NATIONAL PARK

It lies in the La Mancha, province of Ciudad Real, and has the smallest surface area (only 1,928 ha) of all Spanish National Parks. In La Mancha, "tablas" is the word used for the flooded areas which are a natural phenomenon along certain parts of some rivers and remain water-logged for varying periods of time during the year. Las Tablas de Daimiel consist of water from two rivers: the brackish water from the Cigüela and the fresh water from the Guadiana.

Aquatic vegetation consists basically of reed and Cladium mariscus. The latter are very abundant and cover one of the largest areas still to be found of the species in Western Europe. Islands, channels, loops and flooded land (the 'tablas' convert the site into a real, though flat maze, which somebody very appropriately called the "famous Venice of the La Mancha shallows"). 

The only tree of this swamp vegetation is the tamarix. The bottom of 'Las Tablas' is covered with a dense carpet of underwater plants which are generically called algae.

Birds play the leading role in these flooded areas. Some of them are resident all the year round, while others are temporary visitors, which come either to winter or to nest. Present all through the year are coots, moorhens, gadwalls, mallards and several pairs of marsh harriers which feed on the other species. Among the nesting birds are red-crested pochards, purple herons, little egrets, night herons, and the hobby, while pintails, wigeons, teals, bay ducks and shovelers belong to those which come to winter there.

How to reach the Park

The National Park- lies 131 km from Madrid and 29 km from Ciudad Real. From Madrid, the N-IV is taken as far as Puerto Lápice. From there, the N-420, which goes to Ciudad Real, reaches the village of Daimiel after 31 km. There is a perfectly sign-posted branch road which leads to the reception area of the National Park (11 km.). 

Those who come from the south on the N-IV can reach Daimiel by taking the N-430 at Manzanares (21km).

Advice of interest to visitors

• Visitors, except in organized groups, need not make bookings to visit the park.
• There is a visitors' centre at the entrance to the Park and there are two itineraries along which the most interesting parts of Las Tablas can be visited on foot. Boats are not allowed.
• The Park can be visited at any time of the year since the waterfowl varies from season to season because of migration. The summer months are the least recommended because of the intense drought.
• The Paradores of Manzanares and Almagro are not very far away.
• Binoculars are a must for bird-watching. A camera with a telephoto lens is necessary to take photographs.
• Dawn and dusk are the best moments of the day to watch the comings and goings of birds visiting the humid areas of the surroundings.

Humid areas play an important ecological role in nature wherever they are. This important element of Spanish heritage must be protected and kept unspoilt.

For full details on the Spanish National Parks (services, towns, hotels, adventure, maps, etc.), please look under "Parques Nacionales" at the website:
http://www.parquesnaturales.com (spanish only)