The Montes de Toledo are one of the main systems of mountain ranges in the

Iberian Peninsula The Iberian Peninsula (), ** * Aragonese and Occitan: ''Peninsula Iberica'' ** ** * french: Péninsule Ibérique * mwl, Península Eibérica * eu, Iberiar penintsula also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in southwestern Europe, defi ...

. They divide the

drainage basin A drainage basin is an area of land where all flowing surface water converges to a single point, such as a river mouth, or flows into another body of water, such as a lake or ocean. A basin is separated from adjacent basins by a perimeter, t ...

of the

Tagus The Tagus ( ; es, Tajo ; pt, Tejo ; see #Name, below) is the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula. The river rises in the Montes Universales near Teruel, in mid-eastern Spain, flows , generally west with two main south-westward sections ...

from the basin of the

Guadiana The Guadiana River (, also , , ), or Odiana, is an international river defining a long stretch of the Portugal-Spain border, separating Extremadura and Andalusia (Spain) from Alentejo and Algarve (Portugal). The river's basin extends from the e ...

. The highest peak is high

La Villuerca La Villuerca, also known as ''Risco de la Villuerca'', ''Pico la Villuerca'' and ''Pico de las Villuercas'' is the highest peak of the Sierra de Villuercas range, also known as ''Sierra de Guadalupe''. It is located 6 km west of Guadalupe town ...

Description

The Montes de Toledo are located in the central regions of the Iberian Peninsula, cutting transversally from east to west across the lower portion of the

Meseta Central The ''Meseta Central'' (, sometimes referred to in English as Inner Plateau) is one of the basic geographical units of the Iberian Peninsula. It consists of a plateau covering a large part of the latter's interior. Developed during the 19th cent ...

. The length of the Montes de Toledo is and their maximum width up to near

Sonseca Sonseca is a municipality in the province of Toledo, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. According to the 2006 census (INE INE, Ine or ine may refer to: Institutions * Institut für Nukleare Entsorgung, a German nuclear research center * Instituto Naci ...

and

Puertollano Puertollano () is a municipality of Spain located in the province of Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha. The city has a population of 47,035 (2019). Contrasting to the largely rural character of the region, Puertollano stands out for the importance of ...

. The eastern Montes de Toledo ranges form one of the natural limits of the historical

La Mancha La Mancha () is a natural and historical region located in the Spanish provinces of Albacete, Cuenca, Ciudad Real, and Toledo. La Mancha is an arid but fertile plateau (610 m or 2000 ft) that stretches from the mountains of Toledo to the ...

region in Castile-La Mancha and the western end, including the ranges forming the broader Montes de Toledo, reaches into

Portalegre District Portalegre District ( pt, Distrito de Portalegre ) is located in the east of Portugal. The district capital is the city of Portalegre. As of 2021, it is the least populous district of Portugal. Municipalities The district is composed of 15 mu ...

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...

Geology

Geologically the series of ranges making up the system were formed by Alpine orogeny, but unlike the

Central System The Central System, Spanish and pt, Sistema Central, is one of the main systems of mountain ranges in the Iberian Peninsula. The 2,592 m high Pico Almanzor is its highest summit. The Central System is located just north of the 40th parallel an ...

further north the Montes de Toledo comprise an older

terrain Terrain or relief (also topographical relief) involves the vertical and horizontal dimensions of land surface. The term bathymetry is used to describe underwater relief, while hypsometry studies terrain relative to sea level. The Latin word ...

of elongated belts of folded and

thrust fault A thrust fault is a break in the Earth's crust, across which older rocks are pushed above younger rocks. Thrust geometry and nomenclature Reverse faults A thrust fault is a type of reverse fault that has a dip of 45 degrees or less. If ...

sedimentary rocks Sedimentary rocks are types of rock that are formed by the accumulation or deposition of mineral or organic particles at Earth's surface, followed by cementation. Sedimentation is the collective name for processes that cause these particles t ...

that is quite heavily eroded. The geological structure of the Montes de Toledo is similar to the

geology of the Appalachians The geology of the Appalachians dates back to more than 480 million years ago. A look at rocks exposed in today's Appalachian Mountains reveals elongate belts of folded and thrust faulted marine sedimentary rocks, volcanic rocks and slivers of ...

and akin as well to the geology of the

Sierra Morena The Sierra Morena is one of the main systems of mountain ranges in Spain. It stretches for 450 kilometres from east to west across the south of the Iberian Peninsula, forming the southern border of the ''Meseta Central'' plateau and providi ...

range further south.

Ranges

The Montes de Toledo are divided in the following

physiographic Physical geography (also known as physiography) is one of the three main branches of geography. Physical geography is the branch of natural science which deals with the processes and patterns in the natural environment such as the atmosphere, h ...

longitudinal sectors or zones: *The Montes de Toledo in a strict sense are located in the eastern section of the system, in northwestern Ciudad Real Province and southwestern

Toledo Province Toledo is a province of central Spain, in the western part of the autonomous community of Castile–La Mancha. It is bordered by the provinces of Madrid, Cuenca, Ciudad Real, Badajoz, Cáceres, and Ávila. Its capital is the city of Toledo. ...

, giving its name to the

Montes de Toledo Comarca Montes de Toledo Comarca ( es, Comarca de los Montes de Toledo) is a ''comarca'' located at the southern end of the province of Toledo, Spain. The natural comarca includes some municipal terms in Ciudad Real Province. It is named after the Mont ...

. Despite its name this comarca only includes a small part of the range. The main summits of this region are Rocigalgo (),

Corral de Cantos A pen is an enclosure for holding livestock. It may also perhaps be used as a term for an enclosure for other animals such as pets that are unwanted inside the house. The term describes types of enclosures that may confine one or many animal ...

(), Peñafiel () and Amor (1379). **The main range of this zone is Sierra de la Calderina, with the

Sierra de la Virgen Sierra de la Virgen is a mountain range in the Aranda and Comunidad de Calatayud comarcas, Aragon, Spain. It is located south of the Moncayo Massif between the valleys of the Jalón and the Aranda rivers, rising north of the N-234 road, roughly ...

(highest point high Pico Alamillo), Sierra Luenga, Sierra Arando, Sierra del Reventón, Sierra Morrones and

Sierra de la Cueva Sierra (Spanish for "mountain range" and "saw", from Latin '' serra'') may refer to the following: Places Mountains and mountain ranges * Sierra de Juárez, a mountain range in Baja California, Mexico * Sierra de las Nieves, a mountain range i ...

subranges. **Other ranges of this zone are Sierra de los Yébenes, Sierra de San Pablo, Macizos de Montalbán and Macizos de Rocilargo. *The broader Montes de Toledo system includes the following ranges stretching towards the west: **

Sierra de Altamira Sierra (Spanish for "mountain range" and "saw", from Latin '' serra'') may refer to the following: Places Mountains and mountain ranges * Sierra de Juárez, a mountain range in Baja California, Mexico * Sierra de las Nieves, a mountain range i ...

, highest point Riscos Altos (). Other noteworthy peaks are Risco de las Moras () and Risco de los Gavilanes (). It is located in La Jara Comarca at the border area between Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha. Nearby are minor ranges such as the Sierra de Sevilleja, Sierra de la Hiruela and Sierra del Horno, also known collectively as ''"Sierras de la Jara"''. ** Sierra del Hospital del Obispo, parallel to the Sierra de Altamira further east. Cervales, , is the highest point of the range. The Guadarranque River runs by

Navatrasierra Navatrasierra is a village that is part of the Villar del Pedroso municipality in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. According to the 2014 census, the village has a population of 198 inhabitants. Geography Navatrasierra is located in ...

in the valley between the two ranges. **

Sierra de Villuercas Sierra de Villuercas or Sierra de las Villuercas, also known as Sierra de Guadalupe after nearby Guadalupe town, is a mountain range in the greater Montes de Toledo range, Spain. It is located in province of Cáceres, autonomous community of Extr ...

, also known as ''Sierra de Guadalupe'', it rises within Extremadura in

Las Villuercas Las Villuercas is a ''comarca'' located in the province of Cáceres, western Spain. It belongs to the Autonomous Community of Extremadura. Despite the traditional strong identity of its inhabitants, this historical region has not been able to ach ...

comarca, province of Cáceres. This range is where the highest altitudes of the whole system are found. Besides high

, the highest peaks are Carbonero (), Ballesteros (), Sobacorbas () and Risco Redondo (). **

Sierra de Montánchez Sierra de Montánchez is a mountain range in the greater Montes de Toledo range, Spain. It is named after nearby Montánchez town, the capital of the Tierra de Montánchez comarca, located on its slopes. This range gives its name to the Mancomun ...

, located in the central/southern region of Cáceres Province. Its highest point is high Monte Viejo. Other notable summits are Cancho Blanco () and Alijares (). **

Sierra de San Pedro Sierra de San Pedro is a mountain range in the greater Montes de Toledo range, Spain. It is named after Saint Peter the Apostles in the New Testament, apostle and rises in the limits of Cáceres Province, Cáceres and Badajoz Provinces, in the we ...

, between Cáceres and

Badajoz Badajoz (; formerly written ''Badajos'' in English) is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated close to the Portuguese border, on the left bank of the river Guadiana. The population ...

provinces. Its highest peaks are Torrico de San Pedro (), Atalaya (), Chorlo (), Morrón del Cotarro () and Manzano (). The

Sierra de Carbajo Sierra (Spanish for "mountain range" and "saw", from Latin ''serra'') may refer to the following: Places Mountains and mountain ranges * Sierra de Juárez, a mountain range in Baja California, Mexico * Sierra de las Nieves, a mountain range ...

, also known as ''Sierra de Santiago'' is a small range located north of the western end of Sierra de San Pedro, above Carbajo and

Santiago de Alcántara Santiago de Alcántara is a municipality located in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. According to the 2006 census (INE INE, Ine or ine may refer to: Institutions * Institut für Nukleare Entsorgung, a German nuclear research center ...

. **

Serra de São Mamede Serra de São Mamede ( en, Saint Mammes Range) is a mountain range in Portalegre District, Portugal. This range is named after Saint Mammes. Together with the Serra de Arraiolos, the Serra de São Mamede is one of the few places in the Alentejo ...

, located in the

Alto Alentejo Province Alto Alentejo was a Portuguese province. It was abolished with the Constitution of 1976. The area is now covered by Alto Alentejo Subregion and Alentejo Central Subregion. Municipalities * Alandroal Municipality * Alter do Chão Municipality ...

, bordering Extremadura. Higher than the preceding two ranges, this range forms the western end of the greater Montes de Toledo. Its highest point is high Pico de São Mamede. Other important peaks are Fria, Pico de Marvão and Castelo de Vide. The town of Marvão is located on top of a ridge of the range.Serra de Sao Mamede Natural Park
/ref>

Main ranges and features

File:dehesa_cabaneros.jpg, A ''dehesa'', traditional pastoral management in the Montes de Toledo File:Vista hacia el sur desde puerto de Los Santos (Ciudad Real).jpg, Montes de Toledo landscape in puerto de Los Santos (Ciudad Real) with the

on the right File:Montes de Toledo.jpg, Scree slopes in the Montes de Toledo File:Carrascalejo sierra 01.jpg, View of

near Carrascalejo File:Marvão.JPG, View of Marvão peak in

File:Montanchez.(Cáceres) DSCN0134.JPG,

above

Montánchez Montánchez is a municipality located in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. It is situated at , some 702 metres above sea level. The municipality has an approximate population of just over 2,000. The town sits in the Sierra de Montánc ...

town File:Vista de San Pablo desde la carretera de las Navillas.JPG, San Pablo de los Montes below the Sierra de San Pablo File:Puerto de los Santos.JPG, ''Puerto de los Santos''

mountain pass A mountain pass is a navigable route through a mountain range or over a ridge. Since many of the world's mountain ranges have presented formidable barriers to travel, passes have played a key role in trade, war, and both Human migration, human a ...

across Sierra de la Calderina in Villarrubia de los Ojos municipal term File:Robledillo (toledo).jpg, Mountains above Robledillo village near

Robledo del Mazo Robledo del Mazo is a municipality located in the province of Toledo, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. According to the 2006 census (INE INE, Ine or ine may refer to: Institutions * Institut für Nukleare Entsorgung, a German nuclear research center ...

File:Castanar ibor1.jpg, View of

Sierra de la Palomera Sierra (Spanish for "mountain range" and "saw", from Latin '' serra'') may refer to the following: Places Mountains and mountain ranges * Sierra de Juárez, a mountain range in Baja California, Mexico * Sierra de las Nieves, a mountain range i ...

above Castañar de Ibor File:Presa Santa Lucía (Navezuelas).jpg,

and

Santa Lucia Dam Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnight ...

File:Alburquerque (Badajoz).jpg, View of Alburquerque with the

in the horizon

Protected areas

Cabañeros National Park Cabañeros National Park (in Spanish: ''Parque Nacional de Cabañeros'') is a national park in the Montes de Toledo, Spain. It falls within two provinces, the northwest of Ciudad Real and the southwest of Toledo. The Park was designated in 1995 a ...

Serra de São Mamede Natural Park Serra de São Mamede Natural Park is a nature park, natural park in the Serra de São Mamede range, Portugal. It is one of the 30 areas which are officially under protection in the country. Climate The São Mamede Range rises from the Alentejo re ...

References

External links

*
Parque Nacional de Cabañeros La belleza de los Montes de Toledo

Ordovician -Dobrotivian (Llandeillian Stage) to Ashgill- Crinoids from the Montes de Toledo and Sierra Morena
{{Authority control Mountain ranges of Portugal

Toledo Toledo most commonly refers to: * Toledo, Spain, a city in Spain * Province of Toledo, Spain * Toledo, Ohio, a city in the United States Toledo may also refer to: Places Belize * Toledo District * Toledo Settlement Bolivia * Toledo, Orur ...