Babia Biosphere Reserve

This area, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2004, boasts a diverse flora and abundant fauna.

The Babia region is located in Castile and León, northwest of the province of León and includes the municipalities of Cabrillanes and San Emiliano. The mountains that separate Asturias and León in the Cantabrian Mountains form its northern border, with peaks exceeding 2,000 meters, including Peña Ubiña, one of the favourite peaks for mountaineers in the area at 2,417 metres. To the south, it borders another mountain range where the 2,154-metre peak of La Cañada stands out. Babia is characterised by a unique landscape of high mountains and rocky slopes, spectacular chasms and gorges. In its central part, at over 1,000 metres above sea level, there are vast valleys and meadows, through which the Sil River flows, and glacial lakes such as the Las Verdes Lagoon can be found.Its natural wealth is also significant: The area boasts a diverse range of plants, including endemic species like Saxifraga babiana and Salix cantabrica, as well as a rich variety of wildlife, with notable species such as the endangered brown bear, grey partridge and the piornal hare – a variety unique to the Cantabrian Mountains. Due to the fertile pastures, livestock farming has been the main activity in the area: You can still see the paths used for centuries by transhumant shepherds who, in summer, came from Extremadura with their sheep.The region also has a linguistic curiosity: The expression “to be in Babia”, which means “to be distracted”. The origins date back to the ancient kings of León and Asturias, who liked to spend long periods in Babia, devoting themselves to enjoying the tranquility and beauty of the surroundings, without worrying about court affairs.