This reserve is managed through an agreement between the Liérganes Town Hall and FNYH.

The reserve hosts the valleys of the Quiava and the head of Las Porquerizas, spaces located in the southern part of the municipality, opposite the famous Tetas de Liérganes.

Specifically, it is located on the Barrio de Rubalcaba, where the creeks Quieva and Porquerizas contribute their waters to the river Miera, one of the “pasiegos” rivers that provides most of its waters to the estuary of the Bay of Santander.

The access is located in Barrio de Rubalcaba, through the diversion of the Barrio de las Porquerizas or La Quieva.

This natural area is formed by a mosaic of habitats or ecosystems. This mosaic is due to the transformation produced by the silvopastoral system that has been used in these valleys since ancient times. When visiting the area, it is possible to find pastures for forage utilization, for extensive farming production; hardwood forests dominated by deciduous species such as oak, beech, ash, birch, hazel or walnut. On the other hand, associated with the creeks Porquerizas and Quieva, there is a typical riparian forest, where grow willows, elderberries, alders, or birches.

Dominating the valley of Quieva, it is the great limestone rock of Peña Pelada. This area is the preferred habitat of species such as the peregrine falcon, the vulture or the Egyptian vulture. In addition to these species, it is possible to observe other birds like sparrow hawks, buzzards and jays; mammals such as foxes, martens, weasels and wild boar.

The secular livestock use of the valleys allows identify traces of the typical buildings “pasiegas”, with the dominant presence of stone cottages, some of which are being rehabilitated. This is a true representation of what has been and can continue to be a typical “pasiego” valley, where the ethnographic heritage joins biodiversity.

Partners

  • Liérganes Town Hall

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