An adventurer shown here cycles through Bardenas Reales Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve in Navarra, Spain, a stark landscape shaped by wind and water over millions of years. Its maze of eroded cliffs, plateaus and dry channels feels closer to another planet than northern Spain. Ever wondered why filmmakers use it as a stand-in for deserts and distant worlds? The reserve covers more than 400 square kilometres and supports hardy plants adapted to heat, drought and poor soils. Griffon vultures circle above ravines, while foxes, wildcats and migratory birds move across the semi-arid terrain.

Protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the park allows cycling on designated routes, offering a rare chance to experience a fragile environment at ground level and human speed. With little rainfall and dramatic temperature shifts between day and night, Bardenas Reales reveals how life persists in one of Spain's most unusual natural landscapes. Some rock formations even carry local names inspired by castles, animals and regional legends.