Sierra de Cucalón
{{Infobox mountain range
| name = Sierra de Cucalón
| photo = Sierra de Oriche82.JPG
| photo_caption = Aspect of the Sierra de Oriche between Salcedillo and Allueva
| highest = Pelarda
| elevation_m = 1517
| elevation_ref =
| listing = List of mountains in Aragon
| location = Cuencas Mineras & Jiloca Comarca
(Aragon)
| map = Spain
| map_caption = Location in Spain
| coordinates = {{coord|40|59|45|N|01|05|05|W|region:ES-AR_type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref =
| parent = Iberian System
| geology = Cretaceous limestone
| period=Mesozoic
| orogeny=Alpine orogeny
| first_ascent = Unknown
| easiest_route = Drive from Allueva, Fonfría or Bea
}}
Sierra de Cucalón is a {{convert|25|km|mi|0|adj=on}} long system of mountain ranges in Aragon, Spain, located between the comarcas of Jiloca and Cuencas Mineras.
Geography
These mountains are part of the Iberian System and are often covered with snow in the winter. Rivers Huerva and Martín have their source in these ranges.
The Ermita de la Virgen de Pelarda is located in the Pelarda range, close to Olalla.[http://www.diocesisdeteruel.org/pdf%20y%20otros/Santuarios%20Marianos/NUESTRA%20SE%C3%91ORA%20DE%20PELARDA%20Y%20DEL%20MAR.pdf Virgen de Pelarda]
=Subranges=
Two main ranges run parallel to each other, the northern one is Sierra de Oriche, also known as "Las Rochas", and the southern one, smoother and covered with forest, as Sierra de Pelarda or Sierra de la Pelarda (also known as "Sierra de Fonfría" after the town of Fonfría in its central section) extending eastwards as Sierra Pedregosa.
This whole system of mountain ranges is named after the town of Cucalón, located at the western end.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071203030442/http://www.caiaragon.com/es/municipios/index.asp?tipo=0&idloc=304 Cucalón]}}
The ridge's highest summits are Pelarda (1,517 m), in Sierra de Pelarda, and La Modorra (1,478 m), located at the NW end of the Sierra de Oriche. Other important summits are El Marujal (1,486 m), Cerro del Ortigal (1,429 m), Alto del Puerto de Fonfría (1,501 m), La Rocha (1,340 m) and La Retuerta (1,492 m). All main peaks are inconspicuous except for La Modorra.
Ecology
The Sierra de Pelarda mountains are covered with forest made up pine, Carrasca (Quercus ilex), cork oak, and juniper trees.[http://www.xiloca.com/data/Bases%20datos/Varios/Fonfria.pdf Guía general de las sierras de Cucalón, Oriche y Fonfría] There are many endangered species living in these relatively uninhabited mountains, far from human intervention.
Features
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{commonscat inline}}
- [http://www.xiloca.com/xilocapedia/index.php?title=Sierra_de_Cucal%C3%B3n Sierra de Cucalón]
- [http://www.pirineos3000.com/servlet/DescripcionAscension/MONTANA--Pelarda--IDASCENSION--9573.html Ascensión a el Pelarda (1512 m)]
- [http://www.xiloca.com/xilocapedia/index.php?title=Santuario_de_la_Virgen_de_Pelarda Santuario de la Virgen de Pelarda]
{{Mountain ranges of the Iberian System}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cucalon}}
{{Aragon-geo-stub}}