| Serra dos Ancares | |
|---|---|
| Sierra de los Ancares | |
 General view of the range | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Cuiña |
| Elevation | 1,987 m (6,519 ft) |
| Coordinates | 42°46′05″N6°53′53″W / 42.76806°N 6.89806°W /42.76806; -6.89806 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 95 km (59 mi) NE/SW |
| Width | 32 km (20 mi) NW/SE |
| Geography | |
  Serra dos Ancares Location in Spain | |
| Location | Lugo Province,Galicia León Province,Castile and León |
| Country | Spain |
| Parent range | Galician Massif |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Variscan orogeny |
| Rock age | Ordovician |
| Rock type(s) | Slate,limestone,sandstone,quartzite |
TheSerra dos Ancares (Spanish:Sierra de los Ancares, also known asSierra de Ancares) is amountain range of theGalician Massif in north-westSpain, extending in a south-westerly direction from the western end of theCantabrian Mountains inAsturias.
The range forms the boundary between theautonomous communities ofGalicia andCastile and León.The highest point of the range is theCuiña Peak at 1,987 metres (6,519 ft). Other notable peaks areMustallar (1,935 m) andMiravalles (1,969 m). The smallerSerra do Courel lies south of this range, stretching parallel to it.
The main trees in the range arewillow andEuropean alder close to water courses, as well aschestnut,ash,common hazel,oak andcommon holly. Above 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) there isbrushland withtree heath andjuniper.[1]
This area of Spain contains many isolated rural communities that were largely cut off from the outside world until roads were built in the mid 20th century. The most significant element of the whole architecture of the area is thepalloza orcasateito, stone buildings of ancient origin, with a circular or elliptical plan.
Sierra de los Ancares is the name of aSite of Community Importance in theprovince of León.[2]
Os Ancares Lucenses y Montes de Cervantes, Navia y Becerrea was declared aUNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2006.[3][4]Los Ancares Leoneses is also a biosphere reserve.
_09.JPG)
_06.JPG)
_-_lago_en_el_camino_hacia_el_Cui%25C3%25B1a.JPG)
_-_vistas_subiendo_al_Pico_Miravalles.jpg)
