Sierra de Solorio

The Solorio Range (Spanish: Sierra de Solorio) is a mountain range located in the western side of the Iberian System, Spain. It straddles Aragon, Castile-La Mancha and Castile and León.

Solorio Range
Winter landscape of the range in Maranchón
Highest point
PeakAlto de San Sebastián
Elevation1,366 m (4,482 ft) [1]
Coordinates41°05′N 2°11′W 
Dimensions
Length54 km (34 mi) ENE/WSW
Width18 km (11 mi) NNW/SSE
Geography
Solorio Range
Location in Spain
LocationZaragoza, Aragon

Soria, Castile and León

Guadalajara, Castile-La Mancha
Parent rangeIberian System, western zone
Geology
OrogenyAlpine orogeny
Age of rockMesozoic
Type of rockConglomerate, clay
Climbing
Easiest routeFrom the towns of Maranchón or Luzón

Description

The ridge is roughly aligned in an E-W direction. Its northern boundary is marked by the Jalón River and its southern by the Sierra de Selas and the Parameras de Molina; the eastern limits are at the Piedra River and the La Tranquera Dam, from where the ridge extends westwards until reaching Sierra Ministra.

There is very low population density in the area as villages are few and sparsely inhabited.[2]

This mountain chain divides the Atlantic from the Mediterranean watershed, with rivers Tajuña, a tributary of the Tagus, and the Mesa River, a tributary of the Piedra which is part of the Ebro system, having their sources in this range. In the Sierra de Solorio there is the largest Spanish Juniper forest in Europe. The Common Juniper is also found in the range.[3]

Summits

None of the Sierra de Solorio summits are very conspicuous, for their prominence rarely surpasses 300 m. Its highest point is Alto de San Sebastián (1,366 m). Other notable summits are Veracruz (1.355 m.) located south of Luzón, Las Papas (1.351 m.) between Judes and Maranchón, Alto de la Calera (1.308 m.) between Iruecha and Codes, Alto de Judes (1.293 m.) east of Judes, Sima de Calmarza (1.039 m.) east of Calmarza, Cabeza del Águila (1.022 m.) north of Calmarza and Loma del Camarero (949 m.) north of Jaraba. There is a mountain pass at Maranchón.

Features
  • Spanish Juniper trees in the range
  • View of the eastern end of the range at La Tranquera Dam
  • Wind farm on top of the ridge near Maranchón

See also
  • Iberian System
  • Mountains of Aragon

References
  1. Los Poljes de la región de Layna (Cordillera Ibérica Noroccidental)
  2. The Mountains of Solorio, Soria
  3. El Sabinar más extenso de Europa
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