Last year, I started with the creation of this ranking and here you
are the new installment. Incredible competition, but I finally went for
these ones.
15. ARAXES IBAIA (BASQUE COUNTRY)
My job led me to discover the most hidden corners of this river. Walking inside the river gave me a different perspective of the surroundings and it was definitely a great experience. In this sense, the negative connotation normally linked to work did not produce that effect on me. Among all the rivers I walked, this was the most special one, especially due to the beautiful combination of rock and vegetation.
Castles are usually appealing buildings for us. Peracense Castle, moreover, presents a total complicity with the surrounding rock, as we can clearly appreciate in the picture. In fact, it was effectively decided to forget the aesthetical bit of the construction and there where some natural rock outcrops appeared, instead of destroying them, they were used for defence.
On the Welsh coast, we can find loads of wonders, especially in the area known as the Gower. Three cliffs Bay is a nice example. As indicated by its name, the bay is closed by three cliffs, combined with a meandering river. The tones of the sand, the vegetation adapted to the site or small caves are other attractions.
The forms and colours that sandstone can acquire can completely differ from one place to the other. In the protected landscape of Pinares del Rodeno, red hues predominate, which really contrast with the green colours of the pine forest. In addition, a great amount of interesting geological elements are scattered around the area: gnammas (both with and without water), tafoni, honeycombs, Liesegang rings… a real paradise for geomorphology lovers.
3. RHOSILLI BAY (WALES)
2. TATRA MOUNTAINS (POLAND)
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15. ARAXES IBAIA (BASQUE COUNTRY)
My job led me to discover the most hidden corners of this river. Walking inside the river gave me a different perspective of the surroundings and it was definitely a great experience. In this sense, the negative connotation normally linked to work did not produce that effect on me. Among all the rivers I walked, this was the most special one, especially due to the beautiful combination of rock and vegetation.
14. CASTILLO DE PERACENSE (SPAIN)
Castles are usually appealing buildings for us. Peracense Castle, moreover, presents a total complicity with the surrounding rock, as we can clearly appreciate in the picture. In fact, it was effectively decided to forget the aesthetical bit of the construction and there where some natural rock outcrops appeared, instead of destroying them, they were used for defence.
13. THREE CLIFFS BAY (WALES)
On the Welsh coast, we can find loads of wonders, especially in the area known as the Gower. Three cliffs Bay is a nice example. As indicated by its name, the bay is closed by three cliffs, combined with a meandering river. The tones of the sand, the vegetation adapted to the site or small caves are other attractions.
12. PINAR DEL RODENO (SPAIN)
The forms and colours that sandstone can acquire can completely differ from one place to the other. In the protected landscape of Pinares del Rodeno, red hues predominate, which really contrast with the green colours of the pine forest. In addition, a great amount of interesting geological elements are scattered around the area: gnammas (both with and without water), tafoni, honeycombs, Liesegang rings… a real paradise for geomorphology lovers.
11. JAIZKIBEL (BASQUE COUNTRY)
It is
always grateful to explore this coastal mountain that I have close to my house.
Again sandstones, but now they adopt a wide range of colours, especially
yellowish. Landforms mentioned in the previous place show up again in here. But
its main attraction is the fact that it keeps lots of unravelled secrets that I
still need to investigate. But what this mountain has showed me is more than
enough to appear on the list; I am referring, among other things, to endemic
species or gorgeous coves.
10. Oświęcim / AUSCHWITZ (POLAND)
Source: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/2768223.jpg
This year,
as well as impressive natural wonders, historical and cultural regions are
worth a mention. Auschwitz is one of these,
thanks to the museum which effectively impresses the visitor. The catastrophes
originated by humans are impressive in all senses, and the atmosphere in this
museum conveys tremendous sorrow due to a tragedy impossible to understand.
Echoes of innocent voices that were unfairly assassinated on account of human
cruelty will follow you around that place, as well as the following days.
9. ALBARRACIN (SPAIN)
When different
cultures mix together and are able to live together, they result in enclaves
with unequalled historical heritage. Albarracin would perfectly fit into this
category, as we can clearly appreciate in the picture. As well as being a very
attractive town, the location of Albarracin is also a major point, since it was
settled around a highly constrained meander. Furthermore, it is surrounded by
layers of completely different epochs, hues and forms and crowned by a
spectacular rampart.
8. EDINBURGH (SCOTLAND)
Normally, I
would never mention a city in this ranking, but I honestly consider the
Scottish capital is worth it. Although it does not have a very pleasant
weather, the overlying atmosphere in the city is remarkably special. With a
great number of medieval buildings, it exudes history in every hidden corner.
We should also add the hill located next to the city, from where it is possible
to enjoy amazing views. If you are into History, Literature, Politics,
Geography or many other fields, this is a must-visit city.
7. LEZEGALDE (BASQUE COUNTRY).
Author: Carlos Galán
Our
habitual world is limited to one layer on Earth. Most of us do not know about
the parts on Earth that remain at high altitudes or undersea. Something similar
happens with caves, despite being astonishing structures that lie in the
entrails of the Earth. The Basque Country contains numerous immense caves and
Lezegalde is quite a meaningful example. Once inside, perception about weather
and time is readily lost and you can really spend a whole bunch of hours
enjoying the enormous corridors in there. Aquifers, speleothems, unknown
wildlife and chasms are, among other elements, the jewels of this peculiar
space.
6. LOCH LOMOND (SCOTLAND)
Bearing in
mind the hydrophilia we all humans use to feel, Scotland hosts lots of lakes ready
to surprise the visitor. Loch Lomond might
well be the most beautiful big lake in this country (at least, from my point of
view). You can easily get wonderful views from Conic Hill. During my visit, I
arrived there very early in the morning, before the crowd was even halfway
there, and I was able to observe the variability of the Scottish weather at
first hand. In one minute, we passed from having a complete view across the
lake to a landscape completely covered by thick fog; this was definitely a very
good point for taking pictures over and over again. A really magical and
dynamical area.
5. BARRANCO DEL PERUANO (SPAIN)
This year,
I had the pleasure of enjoying various canyons carved by rivers. To my mind,
the most impressive one was Barranco del Peruano. Red sandstones (the same
formation that appeared in Pinar del Rodeno) make up the walls of the canyon and
its base is full of dry waterfalls and ponds, along with the species adapted to
this habitat. Similarly, human has contributed positively to the beauty of this
place: former settlements, inscriptions and sculptures adorn the walk along the
canyon. An important problem to take into account: no place to protect from the
Sun.
4. SNOWDON (WALES)
The top of
this country, it is a point of very interesting geological history. As being
located at that latitude and altitude, traces left by former glaciers can be
frequently detected: U-shaped valleys, lakes, moraines… It is a nice path to
hike to the top, which can also be done by train. The weather is normally the
most negative aspect, although I was very lucky during my visit.
3. RHOSILLI BAY (WALES)
An
incomparable space to feel the strength of the coast. The cliffs on this day
witness a past sea level, even though the waves (especially during sea storms)
have started with their eroding work. Worm’s Head Peninsula
is undoubtedly a very appealing element in this zone. Lying on an abrasion
platform full of ponds, it offers a slightly complicated (but pleasant) hike,
which can only be done with low tide. Definitely advisable!
2. TATRA MOUNTAINS (POLAND)
Author: Gildas Beauchamps
In the
highest parts of Poland, we
can admire the powerful Tatra Mountains. At
this altitude, as it happened with Snowdon,
glacial footprints can be felt in many corners. In addition, there are
footpaths for all kinds of visitors, from Sunday hikers to daredevils. You
actually need to be careful, because in my opinion, there are not as many
security measures as there should be. In any case, it is certainly an extremely
suitable place to enjoy the breathtaking wilderness and disconnect from the
city environment.
1. ISLE OF ARRAN (SCOTLAND)
And the
first position will feature the Isle of Arran, for a wide variety of reasons.
Firstly, because it was not thought beforehand and it was then an adventure on
my own. Moreover, I got to have a very accurate idea about the island, since I
got enough time to visit nearly all places on the island. The locals treated me
very well and encouraged me to visit more places; it is thus clearly remarkable
that they are still not fed up with tourists. And this fact specially conveys
great charm to the island, being quite a natural area, as it can be readily
appreciated in the colours of the landscape. Mountains, beaches, coastal
cliffs, whisky distilleries, chances to spot wildlife, caves, megalithic monuments…
if deeply explored, Arran keeps more surprises than it appears to in the
beginning.
THE END
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