At first sight, the moor may look like a desolate, empty and even degraded open space. However, when we look more closely at this landscape, we can see that it is a complex geological structure formed by a system of superimposed poljes that create a plateau, as a result of the thick beds of limestone and an extreme continental climate. In this setting, at nearly 1,200 metres above sea level, with hardly any trees and exposed to the winds, the hard limestone substrate has not allowed crops to be grown and instead it is used as pasture for livestock, as we are reminded by the tiny and solitary shepherd’s hut built with dry-stone walls next to the road (its door faces in the opposite direction from the dominant winds).
When we become aware of this reality, the scenery starts to take form and we realise how the tough living conditions accelerated the depopulation of some villages, like Villaseca, while the environment is the ideal habitat for some bird species, such as Dupont’s lark and the little bustard, which only find shelter in these solitary moors.
- Access by car: the moor is perfectly accessible by vehicle as it is crossed for nearly 8km by the SO-411 road between Layna and Arbujuelo. As a representative site, we have chosen the small stone hut on the right of the road (Kilometre 11.5), which perfectly symbolises the living conditions in the area.
- Access for people with limited mobility: there are no infrastructures for people with limited mobility but the whole area can be reached by vehicle.
- Legal protection: it forms part of the Site of Community Importance ES4170120 and the Special Protection Area ES0000255 called Layna Moor.
- Seasonality: at any time of the year, as the character of the moor is unchanging. However the best time for bird-watching is in spring.
- Recommendations, what to see and do: it is worth visiting the natural look-out point in Arbujuelo valley (by taking the firm earth track that leads off 300m after the railway bridge and goes down to Arbujuelo) and the Medinaceli Salt-works.
Rev. PAB: 08.05.23