Sierra de la Culebra: Wolf Country
Castilla y León, Spain
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Lobo Ibérico
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400
XP
+100 Spain
= 500 total
1 day
Sierra de la Culebra: Wolf Country
400 + 100 XP
The Sierra de la Culebra runs across north-west Zamora to the Portuguese border, where it continues as the Serra de Montesinho — roughly 70,000 hectares, of which 61,305 are a Site of Community Importance and 67,340 a Regional Hunting Reserve. The tops barely clear a thousand metres, with Peña Mira the highest at 1,241. It holds one of the densest Iberian wolf populations in western Europe, and it is the most reliable place on the continent to see a wild wolf — which still means being on a ridge before dawn with a scope and a good deal of patience.
Required Activities
1
of 6
Be in position on a ridge before first light with a scope, which is the only way this works
2
of 6
Work out the scale of the reserve: about 70,000 hectares, continuing into Portugal as the Serra de Montesinho
3
of 6
Learn to read the ground — tracks, scat and kill sites tell you more in a morning than an evening of looking
4
of 6
Listen at dusk, because you are far more likely to hear wolves than to see them
5
of 6
Talk to the local shepherds about what living alongside the population actually involves
6
of 6
Look for red and roe deer as well — the wolves are here because the prey is
Be in position on a ridge before first light with a scope, which is the only way this works
Work out the scale of the reserve: about 70,000 hectares, continuing into Portugal as the Serra de Montesinho
Learn to read the ground — tracks, scat and kill sites tell you more in a morning than an evening of looking
Listen at dusk, because you are far more likely to hear wolves than to see them
Talk to the local shepherds about what living alongside the population actually involves
Look for red and roe deer as well — the wolves are here because the prey is
Before you go
Go with a local guide who knows the vantage points; wandering the reserve alone finds nothing and disturbs the animals. It is a hunting reserve — check what is in season. Freezing dawns in winter.
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About Castilla y León
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Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
400 XP
Spain country bonus
+100 XP
Potential total
500 XP
Country bonus earned on completion of your first challenge in Spain.
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