In search of the deer's rut in the Natural Park of Cazorla, Segura and las Villas

If there is a unique event to enjoy our natural spaces in autumn, it is the deer rut. A perfect, familiar and ideal plan to spend with friends.

A spectacle that is repeated year after year, at the beginning of the first rains in many of the natural places of our country. The observation and listening of the rut in Spain has been gaining prominence and has aroused the interest of many curious people, who eagerly take time out of their busy schedule and take a break to go in search of this exciting animal. It can be done in many ways, such as in a 4×4 route.

But it is, without a doubt, the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, located in the province of Jaén, one of the most emblematic places in the country to observe this majestic animal. It is recognized among the best Natural Parks to observe the rut! 

I give you six keys to live this experience in this wonderful natural environment. You'll just have to grab your binoculars and sharpen your hearing!

#1 LA BERREA IN THE NATURAL PARK OF CAZORLA, SEGURA AND LAS VILLAS 

Why choose Cazorla, Segura and las Villas? 

The answer is very simple. Think about the end of summer and at the beginning of autumn. The time comes when the forest wakes up, shakes and the colors change tone. The life hidden in the forests comes out and everything makes sense in the animal cycle. 

Within the largest protected area in Spain, there are large populations of deer that with the first rains are the main protagonists of a fascinating event, crowned among the best places to observe them. 

Therefore, your adventure will begin in this privileged natural space with an immense amount of wonderful landscapes. By entering its forests you will be able to discover its great ecological wealth: pines, gall oaks, holm oaks, cork oaks, strawberry trees, cistus... 

All of them, places of haven and peace for thousands of endemic species that coexist with each other. The fauna of the area that should be highlighted are wild boars, fallow deer, mountain goats, golden eagles, griffon vultures, and our main protagonist, the deer.

The truth is that there are many places where you can witness the rutting within the natural park. With this route, you can visit the best points in a unique activity accompanied by expert guides.

#2 IN SEARCH OF THE BERREA

It is during the first rains of September when the male deer begins to cry. As if by magic, everything begins to resurface. To put yourself in the situation, it is the moment in which the males walk haughtily through certain areas with the sole objective of delighting the females of the herd. Needless to say, they succumb to their charms!

In this way, the rut is the way that males emit powerful roars in order to attract the attention of the females of the herd to conquer them. Before their conquest, the males engage in a mythical fight to see who is the deserved winner. During this period, males and females, who have been separated for long periods of time, begin to coexist. 

This time of year is the most important in the life of this species of mammal, since the future and perpetuation of its species over time will depend on it.

Another interesting aspect is that males lead a much more solitary life, living alone or surrounded by no more than four deer. Females, for their part, lead a more active social life. Live in herds They are made up of dozens of females and live with fawns or fawns (small deer that do not yet have antlers), in order to protect them from any predator or threat until they are one year old and develop their first horns, which are now called varetos or fawns. stakers. Curious, right?

On the other hand, the males have been preparing their antlers all year for this moment. At first, they begin to grow and are covered with a velvety skin, which we will call delete. This is what will bring blood flow to the horns that will help them grow and protect them in their most vulnerable state.

Once the antlers are strong and fully developed, the eraser will begin to detach from the horn. These are perfectly created to push and not to hurt. Once they have their antlers ready… The battle begins! 

#3 FÉLIX RODRÍGUEZ DE LA FUENTE

Who has not ever turned on the TV and heard the unmistakable music at the beginning of the “Man and the Earth” episode? Do you remember that slow and hoarse voice of your presenter?

Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente He was the greatest public exponent who defended and made known the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park. He spent much of his life dedicated to filming and studying the species that inhabit it. 

He graduated in medicine and was self-taught in the field of biology. Eye! This did not prevent him from demonstrating his charisma and passion for wild animals, making great observations of the Iberian wolf.

Among all his great notable achievements is bringing a little bit of nature into everyone's home, thanks to the legendary Spanish program “El Hombre y La Tierra”, broadcast between 1974 and 1980.

Some of the scenes compiled in the chapter titled The Lords of the Forest dedicated to Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas and to the rut, appear in some of the stops that you will make during your route to listen to the rut: the Llanos de Bujaraiza; the Head of the Vine Island; or the Collado del Almendral.

The proof of the recognition of Félix and his relationship with the natural park is in the Mirador de Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, one of the best known and most visited. 

#4 TOWN OF BUJARAIZA AND CABEZA DE LA VIÑA ISLAND

Another of the perfect places to listen to the bellowing within the natural park is the town of Bujaraiza (one of the great mysteries hidden in the Sierra de Segura). 

Bujaraiza was a village that lived with a very peculiar way of life. Its neighbors, who dedicated great efforts throughout their lives to be able to live, were capable of being self-sufficient thanks to the agriculture and livestock farming that was developed in the place.

Although it was a village quite rich in customs, the end of this population came with the creation of the Tranco reservoir. The inhabitants of the place were forced to abandon their houses and their history, burying their secrets under the calm waters of the swamp, which today covers our sight.

Even today, we can visit the ruins of Bujaraiza, imagining what it was like in better years. There the sacred souls that rested in the town cemetery are preserved along with the Hermitage of San Miguel. Some say that, on winter nights, you can sometimes still hear the hermitage's bells ringing.

Walking through the plains of Bujaraiza, we can see how what was previously a mountain that broke the monotony of the landscape, has become an island, called Isla Cabeza de Viña. From the town, magnificent views and a good setting for observing deer await you. 

#5 BY THE VIEWPOINTS OF THE TRANCO RESERVOIR

The Tranco reservoir is the largest in the province of Jaén. In fact, it became one of the reservoirs with the greatest capacity in all of Europe! 

Throughout its entire route, you will be able to find a great diversity of endemic riverside plants, which accompanies the aquatic landscape, generating postcards worth admiring in all their splendor.

This offers its visitors a long list of viewpoints distributed throughout the reservoir, thus generating the possibility of observing the swamp and its great beauty from many different perspectives, without leaving any of its corners hidden. During mid-September and October, they have become the best points to hear the rutting in all its splendor. Look at this experience 6 hours long, with boat ride and aperitif included.

One of the most emblematic in the area due to its important historical value is the Mirador de Control Viejo, very close to the El Tranco Leisure Center and where the passage records of all passengers who accessed, for one reason or another, to this interior paradise were carried out.

I recommend you give a relaxing solar boat ride through the reservoir, while you watch those deer that shyly walk along its banks.

#6 TRAVELING THE ROUTE OF FÉLIX RODRÍGUEZ DE LA FUENTE

Finally, I cannot forget the famous route dedicated to our dear friend Félix. It has a total length of 20 km and begins at the Félix viewpoint itself, reaching the district of Coto Ríos and bordering the southern part of the Vineyard Head Island.

Within the route itself, you will find some of the viewpoints of the Tranco reservoir and other key points perfect for stopping to listen to the rut and admire the impressive beauty of the fauna and flora of the place.

In addition to its rich ecological and faunal value, this route has a privileged geological value, where the passage of time has been recorded in the rocks of the landscape and you can even appreciate the passage of water through them.

If you can't take the route during the rutting season, don't worry, it is a very good area to be able to observe deer all year round. 

It's autumn, one of the best times to connect with Mother Earth. You, who are a true lover of animals and the environment, your thing is outdoor activities And you know!

If you have not yet heard the imposing bellows of male deer throughout the Natural Park, the deer rut is your opportunity. I guarantee you that the Sierra de Segura is a natural paradise that you cannot miss. 

Let yourself be enveloped by its charm and live this experience in contact with nature. Don't let them tell you and Reserve now!

If you stay in the Sierra de Segura, I propose the rural house Cortijo Maravillas, with a 5-star rating on Booking. Look here for more information.