Protected Spanish dunes blighted by hundreds of thousands of tourists and nudists return to 'pristine' condition in 50-year first after six weeks of coronavirus lockdown (7 Pics)

One of Spain's most famous tourist attractions has undergone a miraculous transformation which has left environmentalists stunned but delighted.

The undulating Maspalomas sand dunes in Gran Canaria are known throughout the world for their sand mountains and attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, many of them to have sex or to sunbathe in the nude without being disturbed. 

Green campaigners have constantly asked holidaymakers, including the Brits, NOT to ruin the protected environment by drawing pictures, symbols, love hearts or initials in the sand, some of which could be seen from space, as were thousands of footprints. 

Just a year ago, they warned the natural beauty of the area would be ruined and lost for ever unless visitors were 're-educated'. The situation became so bad that leaflets were handed out at Canary airports.

Six weeks after Spain went on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the famous dunes have taken on an incredible new look which environmentalists say has not been seen in 50 years

Green campaigners have constantly asked holidaymakers, including the Brits, not to ruin the protected environment by drawing pictures, symbols, love hearts or initials in the sand

The undulating Maspalomas sand dunes in Gran Canaria (pictured) are known throughout the world for their sand mountains and attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year

Now, six weeks after Spain went on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the famous dunes - which have even been the setting for porn videos - have taken on an incredible new look which environmentalists say has not been seen in 50 years.

Due to the total lack of holidaymakers and the government's decision to close all beaches, the Maspalomas attraction is in pristine condition, with rolling dunes and not one footprint.

Sand taken from the dunes to replenish other areas has also replenished itself in record time, with new waves being created.

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Technical director of the Masdunas project, Miguel Ángel Peña said: 'The confinement has emptied the Dunes of Maspalomas of passers-by, which has resulted in it no longer having footprints and recovering a dreamy landscape that has not been seen for 50 years.

'The coronavirus and the State of Emergency, with harsh consequences for the population, but necessary to preserve their health, is nevertheless facilitating the recovery of essential ecological processes from diverse environments. 

'More than half of the sand moved from the tip to nearby Playa de El Inglés has already been incorporated into the system by nature through marine dynamics.'

The sand dunes are within a special nature reserve with a high degree of protection and are considered one of the most iconic ecosystems of Gran Canaria, covering around 1,000 acres. 

Due to the total lack of holidaymakers and the government's decision to close all beaches, the Maspalomas attraction is in pristine condition, with rolling dunes and not one footprint

Just a year ago, green campaigners warned the natural beauty of the area would be ruined and lost for ever unless visitors were 're-educated'