Caños de Meca is a natural paradise set in the National Park of Las Breñas in Barbate also known as the marsh of Barbate. The outstanding quality of this part of the world is its nature and the possibility to completely relax and forget about everything.

The National Park of la Breña has a surface of approx. 1000 hectares, and being part of the lanscape are the "Caños de Meca" (sweet water torrents) which descent from a height of approx. 100m.

The province of Cadiz is an authentic natural paradise and calls three national parks its own which are all of fist quality, these are Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, the Parque Natural del Estrecho and the Parque Natural de la Breña. The two latter ones have the peculiarity of being maritime-terrestrial national parks. La Breña, situated in the heart of La Janda, mirrors the bio-diversity of the flora and fauna of Cadiz province, together with the Straights of Gibraltar.

The Parque Natural de la Breña is a jewel in the province of Cadiz, with a surface of 4800 hectares of which some 1000 are maritime and 3900 terrestrial. In this surface of almost 5000 hectares are found the cliff lines, pine forests, a great variety of flora and fauna and the marches of Barbate, a place not to be missed for bird-watchers. El Parque Natural de la Breña was declared Nacional Park in 1989.

The vastness of the Parque Natural de la Breña, comprises the boroughs of Vejer and Barbate, in the alter one we also encounter Caños de Meca, the pedanía Barbateña, of great interest because of its landscape, natural, with high cliffs (height of apprx. 100m) from where the sweet-water torrents descent, merging with the sea-water and causing a very particular flower, original and autochthonous. The cliffs are a refuge area for many marine birds which are building their nests and raise their offspring here. The name of this part of the park is Los Caños (the torrents) deriving from the name giving waterfalls which are one of the principal sources of vegetable life in this area.

Leaving aside the maritime area of the Parque Natural de la Breña, we direct ourselves towards the mountain region of the cliff line, on one side are the vertiginous waterfalls descending 100m towards the bottom and on the other we enter the extensive pine forest in an area, which was populated almost 200 years ago. Here we find very tree species which are very resistant to the strong winds blowing from the Straights of Gibraltar. A very important part in animal life here, play the different kinds of birds. Plenty of them are migratory, finding here a resting place on their long journeys between African and European destinations.

The landscapes with dunes (of fine, golden sands), the pine trees, the cliff lines, the different birds, the variety of flora and the marches amongst other peculiarities, convert his place in a natural paradise for every lover of nature feels to be here in a very unique and privileged environment, with pine forests leading to the sea, with natural waterfalls, with golden beaches (many of them are nudist) diversity of flora and fauna.. again, this is an authentic paradise for anyone connected with nature and with animals.

Going back to history, the Parque Natural de la Breña too had its highlights during the last centuries. This was once a good strategical point in order to defend the region and its people from invading groups, pirates etc. We still encounter watch towers, build then, to the scope to invigilate the sea and surrounding areas, like the Torre del Tajo and the Torre de Meca (compiling important papers during the 15th and 16th Century) and whats more, they had the best views to the Atlantic coastline. Referring to culture, not to be forgotten the village of San Ambrosio and the same named Heritage, which dates back to the Visigoths. With regards to settlements, there are no signs within the park. The nearest populated areas of this region were Caños de Meca, Barbate and Vejer.
Also historical is the Almandraba, an art of fishing developed by the Phoenicians who used it to fish tuna, a method still used in the various fishing towns of Barbate, Conil Zahara and Tarifa. This fishing method is part of the history of Barbate and hence, of the Parque Natural de la Breña.

All the foregoing information, make of Caños de Meca and the Parque Natural de la Breña very special places, idyllic and filled with historical traces. The great variety offered in this park, whether to enjoy the beach, the dunes, the pine forests, the waterfalls, the flora or fauna, summarised, its beautiful nature, will leave every visitor breathless. A very important monument has its site in the Parque Natural de la Breña is the lighthouse of Trafalgar, witness, to one of the most important battles in history, where in 1805 the French-Spanish confronted itself with the British fleet in the infamous Battle of Trafalgar, victorious for the British, who lost however the fight one of their most gifted military strategists, Admiral Nelson.

La Breña is a very idyllic place in which you can enjoy a pleasant stroll, a good wlak to the different destinations, where you can go for a ride on the mountain bike or submerge yourself in the sea. Bird watching and an endless line of other activities can be undertaken there.


Hiking in the Parque Natural de la Breña

There are various pleasant hiking routes in this region, to be pointed out is the Sendero del Acantilado, with more than 6km of hiking tracks and which runs along the cliff line connecting the town of Barbate with the village Caños de Meca.

The second route to accentuate is the hiking trail Torre del Tajo, a hike you can realise in approx. two hours and which has its origins in Caños de Meca. On this route you will encounter the Torre del Tajo and the cliffs.

The hiking track of Torre de Meca of approx. 3km is more difficult. This is a well marked route to enjoy the flora. The Torre Almenara, which gives the name to this track was constructed to observe the coastline of hostile invasions.

The last one to be pointed out, is the hiking track of Las Marismas, ideal for the bird lovers. On the 9km long route, depending on the season, a great number of migrating birds can be observed. The march was included in the National Park in 1994, in order to preserve all of its natural charms and was converted in one of the most important wetlands in Europe.