Issue 04 · 2024
Another Spanish desert
I first saw the Bardenas Reales desert in 2008 in photos by a location scout and was fascinated. It took quite a while until I finally got there myself ... but the landscape was still incredibly fascinating.
In the middle of this nature reserve lies a Spanish military base where, for example, bombing runs are practised. That doesn’t contradict nature conservation: animals feel very much at home on military training grounds. Occasional noise bothers them less than lots of people walking around.
The desert is a mix of green landscape and sandy, typical desert scenery ... though that probably depends on the season. I was there in April.
The trip in numbers
Year — 2024
Country — Spain
Distance — approx. 250 km
Diesel — approx. 50 l · €65
My first overnight spot was on a hill at the edge of the area. You’re not allowed to stay overnight in the desert itself and have to be out one hour after sunset – the police do check.
It rained overnight and in the morning the dirt tracks were muddy ... very unpleasant to drive a long track downhill with completely muddy tyres. At first I drove too fast and noticed the truck behaving like it was on ice and sliding. After that I rolled downhill very, very slowly in first gear with low range engaged.
