Range of Toloño facts for kids
The Sierra de Toloño (called Toloñoko mendilerroa in Basque) is a mountain range in northern Spain. It is part of the larger Sierra de Cantabria mountains. You can find it in the province of Álava, which is in the Basque Country.
This mountain range starts in the west at a place called Conchas de Haro. Here, the River Ebro flows into the region of La Rioja. The mountains then stretch eastwards. They form the northern edge of an area known as Rioja Alavesa. This range acts like a natural wall, separating the Rioja region from the rest of Álava.
The highest point in the Sierra de Toloño is Mount Toloño. It stands tall at 1,271 meters (about 4,170 feet) above sea level. This peak is located near the town of Labastida. The mountains are famous for their very steep, rocky southern slopes. On the northern side, you'll find large, thick forests. The Sierra de Toloño is a well-known landmark. You can see it from many places across the region.
Contents
Tallest Peaks of Toloño
The Sierra de Toloño has several important peaks. Here are some of the main ones, listed from west to east:
- Peña Las Doce (1,252 meters): This name means "twelve o'clock peak." It got its name because of the shadow it casts at midday.
- La Tortuga (1,255 meters): Meaning "the tortoise," this peak is named for the shape of the rock at its very top.
- Peña del Castillo (1,262 meters): This peak means "Castle Peak." A small castle once stood here a long time ago. It is quite hard to reach the top.
- Toloño (1,271 meters): This is the highest point in the range. Just a short distance east of this peak, you'll find the border with the province of La Rioja.
- Peña del León (1,206 meters): This peak, meaning "Lion's Peak," is partly located in La Rioja.
- Azkorri or Colorada (1,218 meters): These are two names for the same peak.
Amazing Wildlife of Toloño
The Sierra de Toloño is a very important place for animals. Together with the nearby Obarenes Mountains, it is a special protected area for birds of prey. These are birds that hunt other animals.
You can find many different birds living in these mountains, such as:
- Golden eagle: A large, powerful bird of prey.
- Peregrine falcon: Known for being the fastest bird in the world.
- Griffon vulture: A large scavenger bird.
- Egyptian vulture: Another type of vulture, smaller than the Griffon.
- Eurasian eagle-owl: A very large owl.
- Bonelli's eagle: A strong, medium-sized eagle.
- Red kite: A graceful bird with a distinctive forked tail.
- Common kestrel: A smaller falcon often seen hovering.
Besides birds, you might also spot some larger mammals. These include the shy roe deer, the clever red fox, and the wild wild boar. The mountains are also home to at least 68 different kinds of flowering plants.
Ruins of Santa María del Toloño Monastery
High up in the mountains, at 1,201 meters (about 3,940 feet) above sea level, you can find the ruins of an old building. These are the remains of the Monastery of Santa María de Toloño. This monastery was abandoned a very long time ago, in the year 1422.
See also
In Spanish: Sierra del Toloño para niños
