Calar Alto

Calar Alto is a plateau located in the Sierra de los Filabres (Bacares-Gergal) that reaches up to 2,168 m in height. The Hispanic Astronomical Observatory in Andalusia (CAHA) is located there.

Until 2018, it was the Hispano-German Astronomical Center. It was founded in 1973 after an agreement between the German and Spanish governments. In 2005 an agreement was signed whereby the observatory was jointly operated by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía – CSIC in Granada and the Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie in Heidelberg (Germany) in a proportion of 50% each. Since 2019, with the departure of the German partner and the entry of the Andalusian Government into the Economic Interest Group CAHA, AIE, the observatory has become 100% Spanish (50% Higher Council for Scientific Research, 50% Junta de Andalucía) .

In the whole of Calar Alto there are 5 large domes, of which 4 are in the municipality of Bacares and the largest dome is in the municipality of Gergal, in addition to the buildings of the offices of the Observatory technicians.

Calar Alto is a special place for a getaway. Access both from Almeria via the Gergal road and access from Bacares or Serón are worthy of a weekend excursion through the beautiful and unique landscape. Bike enthusiasts have this place as a sanctuary of worship. Nature lovers also tend to go to Calar Alto and its surroundings for the amount of pine trees and forest mass that surround it, mainly in the direction of Bacares. Keep in mind that the Sierra de los Filabres is the green lung of Almería.

An interesting proposal is to do the Route of the 8MIL del Almanzora that passes through Calar Alto: https://turismoalmanzora.com/en/what-to-do-in-almanzora-almeria/day-trips/route-8mil-of-almanzora/

There are also guided tours at the Observatory, upon reservation. More information: https://turismoalmanzora.com/en/hire-your-travel/guided-visits/visits-to-the-calar-alto-astronomical-center/