Green valley at sunset in the rugged Mallos de Riglos in Huesca Province, Aragon, Spain. The rocks glow bright orange-red in late evening before turning paler as the light fades. Los Mallos (The Mallets), at least 20 million years old, are made of material washed down from Pyrenean slopes compacted with limestone to form conglomerate. The ‘mallets’, sculpted by erosion, are a spectacular gateway to the Pyrenees, forming a physical border between the Pyrenean foothills and the Ebro Basin.
Los Mallos de Riglos, Huesca Province, Aragon, Spain: a green valley at sunset amid the rugged rock formations of the Mallos de Riglos, a spectacular natural gateway to the Pyrenees. The rocks glow bright orange-red in late evening sunshine before turning paler red as the light fades. Los Mallos (The Mallets) were formed at least 20 million years ago, early in the Miocene Epoch, when eroded material washed down from Pyrenean slopes became cemented together by limestone. Over time, the mixture compacted into conglomerate rock and the distinctive ‘mallets’ were formed by erosion wearing away the rock’s softer, more porous parts. Geologically, the Mallos form a distinct physical border between the Pyrenean foothills and the much flatter Ebro Basin. The Mallos rise to about 300 metres (980 feet) and to an elevation of 1,045 m (3,428 ft) above sea level. Their near-vertical sides and rugged trails attract climbers, hikers, wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers from all over the world. The Mallos are home to many colonies of griffon vultures that can be seen soaring and cruising on thermal air currents caused by the south-facing cliffs. Despite its popularity, the Los Mallos area is dotted with traditional villages and has little tourist infrastructure. In medieval times, after the 11th century King of Aragon, Pedro or Peter I, gave it as a dowry to his second wife Bertha, it was briefly an independent kingdom, and it is still known as ‘el Reino de los Mallos’ (the Kingdom of the Mallos).
Size: 4256px × 2832px
Location: Los Mallos de Riglos, Huesca Province, Aragon, Spain
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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