The best traffic-free bike rides around Laguna de Manjavacas

This complex is made up of four lagoons: Manjavacas, Sánchez Gómez, La Dehesilla (in Mota del Cuervo), and Alcahozo (in Pedro Muñoz). It is a key point on the migratory routes of birds between Europe and Africa, which gives it international importance.

The Manjavacas Lagoon, located in the municipality of Mota del Cuervo (Cuenca), is part of the Manjavacas Lagoon Complex, a nature reserve of great ecological and scenic value.

The municipality is in the region of La Mancha, bordering Cuenca and Toledo, and is known for the Pedro Muñoz-Mota del Cuervo lagoon complex. The old houses made of masonry and mud bricks stand out, such as the Casa de La Paca. Church of San Pedro: Built between the 17th and 18th centuries, with a Latin cross plan and a barrel vault.

Mota del Cuervo, known as the “Balcony of La Mancha”, is a lovely place to visit. Here are some recommendations on what to see and do: Windmills, Church of San Miguel Arcángel, La Tercia Real. among many other things... ⛪🌄🚶‍♀️😎

The sanctuary is a construction made of masonry with a hipped tile roof. Inside, it has a rectangular plan with a flat head. The nave is divided into four sections by barely hinted transverse arches that rest on Tuscan ilasters, with a barrel vault and lunettes.

Stage 2. Pedro Muñoz/Villacañas 112 kilometers. 680 positive meters. The second day begins by visiting the Manjavacas Natural Reserve, in La Mancha de Cuenca, made up of several lagoons and an essential point in the migratory transit of birds between North Africa and the ornithological stations in southern Europe. In other times of better water supply, some 40,000 birds of different species visit the reserve. The lagoon complex is also an important wintering and nesting ecosystem. On the shallow banks it is easy to see spoonbills and flamingos. The detour to the Manjavacas lagoon appears after passing through the Alcahozo lagoon, which is still in the municipality of Pedro Muñoz, it is a loop of the main itinerary to tour the shore of the wetland and pass by several observatories, one is at the end of a pedestrian walkway built over the reed beds and marsh surroundings near the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Antigua de Manjavacas, where there is an elevated pagoda-type viewpoint. The path runs through the curious steppe where the Sánchez Gómez and Dehesilla lagoons are located, connects with the main itinerary and continues the gravel trip through the town of Las Mesas. The itinerary of the La Mancha Wetlands Natural Trail has practically finished, there are a few kilometers left indicated with the usual red posts to the Taray lagoon and then the follow-up is the digital track, marked on the rural roads of the agricultural fields of Las Pedroñeras , the “garlic capital” and one of the most notable towns in La Mancha de Cuenca. The route of the track passes through the urban complex of Las Pedroñeras, enters through the Parque de los Viveros and continues north along the ring road to the small square of the Municipal Park, where the signs and yellow arrows of the Camino de Santiago appear. of Levante, the next section of the day until the end in Villacañas. The markings of the Jacobean route are not abundant as in other more popular itineraries of the Camino de Santiago and at many crossings there are not even the classic yellow arrows, it is advisable to download the virtual route. The cycling route continues along the Camino Viejo de las Pedroñeras, a wide and fast agricultural road, saves the AP-36, passes through El Pedernoso and continues towards Santa María de los Llanos, where some references to the Camino de Levante appear at the exit of the population. The terrain changes, it is not the plain of the La Mancha plain of Toledo and Ciudad Real, in the province of Cuenca there are hills, meadows and small holm oak mountains with gentle ups and downs that liven up the pedaling with changes of pace and varied landscapes.

The second day begins by visiting the Manjavacas Natural Reserve, in La Mancha de Cuenca, made up of several lagoons and an essential point in the migratory transit of birds between North Africa and the ornithological stations in southern Europe. In other times of better water supply, some 40,000 birds of different species visit the reserve. The lagoon complex is also an important wintering and nesting ecosystem. On the shallow banks it is easy to see spoonbills and flamingos. The detour to the Manjavacas lagoon appears after passing through the Alcahozo lagoon, which is still in the municipality of Pedro Muñoz, it is a loop of the main itinerary to tour the shore of the wetland and pass by several observatories, one is at the end of a pedestrian walkway built over the reed beds and marsh surroundings near the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Antigua de Manjavacas, where there is an elevated pagoda-type viewpoint. The path runs through the curious steppe where the Sánchez Gómez and Dehesilla lagoons are located, connects with the main itinerary and continues the gravel trip through the town of Las Mesas. The itinerary of the La Mancha Wetlands Natural Trail has practically finished, there are a few kilometers left indicated with the usual red posts to the Taray lagoon and then the follow-up is the digital track, marked on the rural roads of the agricultural fields of Las Pedroñeras , the “garlic capital” and one of the most notable towns in La Mancha de Cuenca.

This wonderful lagoon located on the outskirts of Pedro Muñoz can be explored following the circular path along its perimeter. In addition, you can observe the birds it hosts from the observatories set up for this purpose. Without a doubt, an experience that you can enjoy as a family.