Starlight Reserve Cielos de Guadalajara — Señorío de Molina-Alto Tajo

The "Cielos de Guadalajara" Starlight Reserve obtained the maximum quality certification for astronomical observation from the Fundación Starlight in January 2022. The Fundación —created by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias and recognised by UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization— certifies dark-sky destinations worldwide. The reserve covers 161 municipalities in the province of Guadalajara, distributed across three comarcas: Sierra Norte, Barranco del Río Dulce and Señorío de Molina-Alto Tajo, making it one of the largest certified Starlight Reserves in Europe.

The certification recognises the exceptional quality of the night sky: very low light pollution, a high percentage of clear nights per year and good atmospheric conditions (transparency, low humidity). To obtain it, municipalities and comarcas also commit to responsible public lighting (controlled beam, warm colour temperature, time-based regulation) and to the development of astrotourism as an economic resource linked to sky conservation.

Within the reserve, Señorío de Molina and Alto Tajo concentrate some of the villages with the lowest light pollution in the Iberian Peninsula: Peralejos de las Truchas, Checa, Orea, Megina, Chequilla, Taravilla, Poveda de la Sierra. Altitude (1,000-1,500 m), isolation and low population density explain the quality of observation. Local operators and guides (AstroGuada and others) organise astronomical routes, telescope observations and field experiences. Stargazing is viable year-round, with preference for moonless nights and the months with most stable skies.