Malaga Sun and Nature

Transcription

Malaga
TOURIST BOARD
& CONVENTION BUREAU
Sun and Nature
COSTA DEL SOL TOURIST BOARD
Plaza del Siglo, 2
29015 MALAGA - SPAIN
Telephone: (+34) 952 12 62 72
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.visitcostadelsol.com
Tourist Guide 17
Available online:
www.visitcostadelsol.com
Spanish, English, French and German versions
Costa del Sol Tourist Board
index
TOURIST BOARD
& CONVENTION BUREAU
Málaga, Sun and Nature
0.
Introduction
page 5
1. Route of the Pine Groves:
In the Shade of Ancient Conifers
page 6
2. Route of the Spanish Firs: Seeking
Relics of the Ice Age
page 26
3.
Route of the Cork Groves: The Cork Trail
page 58
4.
Route of the Interior Natural Areas:
The Quirks of Indomitable Nature
page 68
5.
Route of the Coastal Natural Areas
and Monuments: Where Land and Sea Meet
page 112
6.
Route of the Natural Reserves:
The Wetlands Trail
page 134
7.
Route of the Suburban Parks:
Nature at the Foot of the City
Graphic design: Conmunica Mediatrader
Editing: IT Department at the Tourist Board andC
Conmunica Mediatrader
2
COSTA DEL SOL TOURIST BOARD
Plaza del Siglo, 2
29015 Málaga
Telephone: +34 952 12 62 72
E-mail: [email protected]
Website : www.visitcostadelsol.com
page 162
3
Areas (Acantilados de Maro, Desembocadura del
Guadalhorce, Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, Los
Reales de Sierra Bermeja, Sierra Crestellina and
El Torcal de Antequera); Natural Reserves
(Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, Lagunas de
Archidona, Laguna de Campillos and Lagunas de
la Ratosa); Suburban Parks (Sierra de Gracia,
Dehesa de Mercadillo and Pinar del Hacho); and
Natural Monuments (Pinsapo de la Escalereta,
Tornillo de El Torcal, Cañón de las Buitreras, Falla
de la Sierra del Calamorro and Dunas de Artola or
Cabopino).
0. introduction
The province of Málaga, famous for its
beaches and its climate, will surprise visitors with
the beauty, magnitude and variety of its natural
spaces. Málaga currently boasts 23 natural
spaces protected by the government both at the
environmental and urban level.
Introduction
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4
index
.
These natural spaces are separated into Natural
Parks (Sierra de las Nieves; Montes de Málaga;
Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama; Los
Alcornocales and Sierra de Grazalema); Natural
There are also 12 Special Bird Protection Areas
(SBPA) - a natural space designation protected at
the European level - in the province of Málaga;
these are Acantilados de Maro; Desfiladero de los
Gaitanes; Laguna de Fuente de Piedra; Laguna
de la Ratosa; Lagunas de Campillos; Los Reales
de Sierra Bermeja; Los Alcornocales; Sierra
Crestellina; Sierra de Grazalema; Sierra de las
Nieves; Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama; and
Torcal de Antequera.
Introduction
These are places whose unique features and
values are so different from one another that it
might seem like they must be in different
provinces: from the Serranía de Ronda, which
features forests of Spanish fir found nowhere else
in the world; el Torcal, with its fantastic karstic
rock formations resembling a city of stone;
Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, nesting site for the
largest concentration of flamingos in Andalusia; to
the reddish-coloured landscapes of the Sierra
Bermeja or the impressive Acantilados de Maro
(Cliffs of Maro), where the mountains merge with
the Mediterranean Sea.
In terms of internationally protected sites, the Costa
del Sol currently features two Biosphere Reserves
(Sierra de las Nieves and Sierra de Grazalema), two
Ramsar Convention wetlands (Laguna de Fuente de
Piedra and Lagunas de Campillos) and one Special
Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance
(SPAMIS) (Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo).
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TOURIST BOARD &
1. rOUTE OF THE PINE
MONTES DE MÁLAGA
NATURAL PARK
Natural Park
The park's 4,996 hectares are situated to the
north of the city of Málaga and take in the majority
of the left side of the Guadalmedina River basin.
96% of its total area is located within the
municipal district of Málaga while the other 4% is
divided between the districts of Casabermeja and
Colmenar.
This park owes its origins to the plantation of pine
groves for hydrological/reforestation purposes carried out in the Guadalmedina River basin with
an aim to prevent the floods which Málaga had
been suffering for many centuries.
In 1975, Montes de Málaga was included in the
inventory catalogue of Natural Protected Spaces;
in 1986 it was included in the province of
Málaga's catalogue of Protected Spaces and
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6
Natural Park
One of these areas is conveniently located in the
capital of the Costa del Sol (although it stretches
over to the towns of Casabermeja and Colmenar)
while the other is found in the Axarquía region, an
area brimming with attractions for the visitor. Both
can be explored along a route which will surely
not fail to leave a lasting impression.
Montes de Málaga Natural Park is located
quite near the capital of the Costa del Sol and can
be said to serve as a "green lung" for the city. This
park - found in the central-western zone of the
Baetic Range - encompasses a mid-mountain
landscape of gentle topography, criss-crossed by
small valleys populated with extensive pine
forests.
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.
SIERRAS DE TEJEDA,
ALMIJARA Y ALHAMA
NATURAL PARK
MONTES DE MÁLAGA
NATURAL PARK
After the flood of 1907, two building projects were
implemented in the hopes of providing lasting
protection for the city: the part of the river which
passed through the city was channelled and the
El Agujero Dam was built, in 1921. However, it
was not until 1930 that the first reforestation
projects were initiated with the objective of
controlling the Guadalmedina River basin. These
projects shaped what is now Montes de Málaga
Natural Park.
Montes de Málaga
Montes de Málaga
GROVES: IN THE SHADE
OF ANCIENT CONIFERS
Thanks to its geographic location, the
prevailing climate and the unique characteristics
of the region, the province of Málaga is dotted
with immense Mediterranean woodlands. These
are home both to species habitual to these
latitudes as well as to various species of pine
which shape the pattern of the flora here, making
it one of the most valuable natural heritages of the
region. Pine forests - although abundant in
various parts of the region - dominate, in
particular, two of the natural parks in the area:
Montes de Málaga and Sierras de Tejeda,
Almijara y Alhama. These are protected areas
which invite visitors to lose themselves beneath
the dense forest canopy and discover - in the
shade of vast stands of conifers - ecological
treasures which have managed to survive despite
the inevitable passage of time.
CONVENTION BUREAU
After the redistribution of land which took place
with the Reconquest of the area by Ferdinand
and Isabella in the 15th century, the
Mediterranean forests of the region were
replaced with vineyards, almond plantations and
olive groves. These covered the lands that now
make up the park up until the first third of the last
century and - in conjunction with the
Mediterranean climate regime - led to severe
flooding, which devastated the city of Málaga.
index
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TOURIST BOARD &
FAUNA
Forests of Aleppo pine - the result of the
reforestation project carried out to prevent
flooding in the city of Málaga - cover the majority
of the area of Montes de Málaga Natural Park.
Although most of the replanting was done with
Aleppo pine there are also some stands of black
pine and stone pine.
Montes de Málaga Natural Park is one of the few
enclaves where the chameleon, an endangered
species, can still be found. This area is also home
to polecats, weasels, wild cats, stone martins and
wild boars - which can weigh up to 180 kilos.
Badgers, the common genet, rabbits, hares and
foxes also inhabit the area.
Other species found in the park - thanks to natural
regeneration from the surrounding area - include
the Holm oak, the carob tree and the cork oak.
Shrubby vegetation is abundant in some areas
and is generally made up of Jerusalem sage,
scorpion's thorn, Mediterranean thyme, rosemary,
rock rose and Spanish lavender.
Among the many species of birds-of-prey which
can be seen soaring majestically above the
mountain peaks here are the golden eagle, the
short-toed eagle, the booted eagle, kestrels,
owls, little owls, goshawks, and the Eurasian
eagle owl - the largest nocturnal raptor. Other
species found here include the sparrowhawk, the
lapwing, doves, nightjars, larks, and more.
Montes de Málaga
Amphibians such as the Iberian ribbed newt,
toads, salamanders, and the viperine water
snake are abundant here and of special interest
among the fish species - which have nearly been
wiped out - is the Iberian nase.
CLIMATE
.
CAMPING AREAS
Natural Park
HOW TO GET THERE
There are two different ways to access Montes de
Málaga Natural Park. The first route starts from
the city of Málaga - from the Fuente Olletas petrol
station, to be exact - and follows the MA-345
.
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Natural Park
Montes de Málaga Natural Park features five
marked trails for hiking: Picapedreros, El
Cerrado, Las Contadoras, Pocopan and Torrijos.
Three free camping areas are located along
these trails: two on El Cerrado and another on
Torrijos. For more information about the hiking
trails, please consult the Málaga: Sun, Routes
and
Excursions
tourist
guide
at
www.visitcostadelsol.com.
.
Temperatures in Montes de Málaga Natural Park
are pleasant. The average annual temperature is
around 17-18 degrees Celsius and rainfall tends
to be infrequent, though torrential.
Montes de Málaga
It should be mentioned that in Montes de Málaga
there are also some areas where olives - from
which an excellent quality olive oil is produced are still grown. Natural resources obtained from
the area include wood, firewood and cork. Olive
and almond groves constitute the main
agricultural crops in the region with sheep being
the principal form of livestock raised here.
CONVENTION BUREAU
Goods; however, it did not receive the
classification of Natural Park until 1989, when the
Parliament of Andalusia passed the Natural
Protected Spaces Act.
FLORA
index
9
TOURIST BOARD &
characterise a large part of this natural park. The
highway also passes many typical mountain inns
where you can enjoy traditional cured meats and
roscas (ring-shaped stuffed breads) accompanied
by the regional wine. The famous plato de los
montes - a combination of potatoes or
breadcrumbs, eggs and chorizo - is also a good
choice. The Verdiales (a typical flamenco music
style) festivals are usually celebrated in these inns.
FROM THE INNS TO LAS CONTADORAS
NATURE CENTRE
The first route which we recommend leaves
directly from the city of Málaga in the direction of
Colmenar on the C-345, commonly called the
"Carretera de los Montes" (Mountain Highway) or
the "Cuesta de la Reina" (Queen's Hill). The first
section has numerous curves and steep
gradients so it is recommendable to drive slowly
Continuing along this road, you will come upon
the first plantations of Aleppo pine, which
Las Contadoras Nature Centre is situated in the
very heart of the Natural Park, at 800 metres
elevation. It occupies a building which dates back
to the year 1780. The building was rehabilitated,
renovated and expanded by the Autonomous
Government of Andalusia in 1989. The goal of the
centre is to stimulate environmental education in
the district and in the province of Málaga:
meetings, seminars and awareness days are held
here for adults, while camping trips and marches
are organized for the youth.
Montes de Málaga
Continuing past the El Detalle inn, you will come
to La Fuente de la Reina (the Queen's Fountain),
18 kilometres from the capital of Málaga and 925
metres above sea level. This fountain is located
at the foot of the hill after which it is named - a
peak which reaches 1,031 metres of elevation. La
Fuente de la Reina was named after Isabella the
Catholic as legend holds that she drank from its
waters just after conquering the city.
Montes de Málaga
Natural Park
Natural Park
.
Here you will encounter the entrance to a dirt road
on the left-hand side which leads to Las
Contadoras Nature Centre. Right at the entrance,
there is a sign which indicates the rules for use of
this area; it should be read carefully and the rules
should be obeyed for the good of the natural park.
.
.
The road from La Fuente de la Reina to Las
Contadoras is about five kilometres long. Almond
and olive trees can be seen along the first
section, but these are later replaced by a dense
pine grove on the left-hand side and a small Holm
index
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10
and carefully - this will also permit a full
appreciation of the many panoramic views to be
had along the way.
You will pass by the inns of Los Tres Cincos,
Nueva, Los Montes and El Boticario (next to the
winepress house, or lagar, located in the very
centre of the park), as well as that of El Mirador,
which affords a view of the entire Bay of Málaga.
Once past this inn, you will again find yourself on
a stretch of road with many sharp curves known
as "caracolillos", which eventually lead you to
Cerro Matanza (Matanza Hill), at 774 metres
above sea level.
oak forest on the right. The rest of the way, you
will find yourself amongst conifers, cypresses,
Portuguese oaks and carob trees as well as - in
lesser measure - chestnut trees, elms, willows,
ash, and others. A dense pine grove covers the
area near the Nature Centre and leads you the
first objective: Las Contadoras.
CONVENTION BUREAU
regional highway, also known as the "Carretera
de los Montes" (Mountain Highway). This road,
which leaves from the north of the city, runs
towards Colmenar and also serves as a junction
for the network of pathways and forest roads that
traverse and access the park. The second way to
get to the park is on the N-331 from Málaga to
Casabermeja.
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TOURIST BOARD &
were added to the building and an olive oil mill, a
press, and a bodega were installed. Wine
production, the olive oil mill, and the traditional
ovens used to make pan cateto (peasants' bread)
are the three basic elements of this winepress
house.
After visiting the winepress house, you can follow
the path down to the recreational areas located
along the edge of the Chapera ravine and enjoy
the natural beauty of Montes de Málaga Natural
Park.
FROM THE LAGAR DE TORRIJOS TO
COLMENAR AND CASABERMEJA
Afterwards, you can return to highway C-345 and
set out for a visit to two beautiful villages of the
province of Málaga: Colmenar and Casabermeja.
Montes de Málaga
nooks of this building, so full of the magic and
history of Málaga. In fact, the spindle-beam found
here was the inspiration for the park's logo.
Natural Park
Natural Park
.
The Lagar de Torrijos is an example of the typical
winepress houses found in the Montes de Málaga
region: these were buildings dedicated to
winemaking. The building is currently owned by
the Ministry of the Environment of the
Autonomous Government of Andalusia and they
were responsible for its rehabilitation and
conversion. During the first half of the 19th
century - up until the arrival of the phylloxera
epidemic which wiped out the vineyards - this was
the press-house where the renowned mountain
wine was extracted. When the cultivation of
grapes was replaced with that of olives, two wings
.
Montes de Málaga
One of the principal attractions in Montes de
Málaga Natural Park is the Lagar de Torrijos
(Torrijos Winepress House), which today has
been converted into a museum dedicated to
ethnology and enology. Continuing along highway
C-345 from Fuente de la Reina towards
Colmenar, you will traverse the mountain pass of
Puerto del León at 960 metres above sea level;
then you should take the turn-off to the left which
indicates the way to the Lagar de Torrijos - about
1.7 kilometres away.
This tour begins in the Lagar de Torrijos and you
shouldn't leave before exploring all the hidden
.
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12
CONVENTION BUREAU
Once you have finished your visit here - and after
a much-deserved rest - you can set off for the El
Cerrado recreational area, located about three
kilometres away from Las Contadoras. Here, you
can admire the amazing scenery of Montes de
Málaga and rest after your journey in the camping
area or in the Hotel Humaina. The scenery found
along the way consists primarily of Aleppo pine
and Holm oak forests.
index
13
TOURIST BOARD &
Montes de Málaga
Montes de Málaga
CONVENTION BUREAU
MONTES DE MÁLAGA NATURAL PARK
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.
Beginning of route
Halfway point
End of route
Natural Park
Suggested route 2
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Natural Park
Suggested route 1
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TOURIST BOARD &
Moorish past which has left its mark not only on
the architecture found there but also on some
local traditions, still kept alive to a certain extent.
In the western-most part of the province of
Málaga, the imposing cluster of mountains made
up of the Sierras de Tejeda y Almijara (Tejeda and
Almijara Ranges) rises. This is a unique area which
was designated as a Natural Park in 1999 - a
classification which implies strict environmental
protection and conservation of the area,
characterised not only by its great scenic beauty
but also by the diversity of its fauna and by its
unusual flora.
It would seem that the name Tejeda refers to the
abundance of tejos - a woodland plant - which
covered a large part of the region in years goneby, while the name Almijara is certainly a
derivation of the Arab word almijar, which could
be translated as "drain", a reference to the speed
with which rain-water - not absorbed by the soil drained off into the sea. However, this Arab word
might also refer to the many almijares (areas set
Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama
aside for the sun-drying of grapes, now called
paseros) found in the Axarquía region, even
today.
The white and grey tones of these mountains, as
well as their almost uninterrupted succession of
steep crests and deep gullies - not to mention
their proximity to the sea - are all characteristics
.
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Natural Park
Natural Park
result, these craggy mountains have always been
the source of legends telling of rebellions,
banditry or smuggling - depending on the era.
Furthermore, the ruggedness of the terrain and
the difficulty presented by its complex topography
for the cultivation of any sort of crop has meant
that the entire area of the park has been left
nearly untouched by human activity. This gives
visitors the sensation that they are entering an
area which has been newly discovered.
.
Due to its geological make-up - it is a complex
amalgam of faults and folds - Sierras de Tejeda,
Almijara y Alhama Natural Park is perhaps the
natural area with the greatest scenic diversity in
the province of Málaga. In this respect, it is worth
mentioning that the slopes of this mountain range
plunge into the Mediterranean Sea in the district
of Nerja and that its tallest peak, La Maroma,
exceeds 2,000 metres of elevation. These drastic
elevation changes occur over a distance of only
17 kilometres, a fact which explains the existence
The Tejeda and Almijara Ranges have very few
natural passes to permit the movement of people
and goods and even the villages closest to this
now-protected area have always lived somewhat
distanced from these spectacular peaks. As a
Encompassing 40,662 hectares of protected area,
this park is divided almost equally between the
provinces of Málaga and Granada and,
furthermore, serves as the border between the two
provinces. Eight municipalities are located in the
part of the park belonging to Málaga (Alcaucín,
Canillas de Albaida, Canillas de Aceituno,
Cómpeta, Frigiliana, Nerja, Salares and Sedella);
all of these are found in the Axarquía region.
Meanwhile, the Granadine zone includes the
municipalities of Alhama de Granada, Arenas del
Rey, Jayena and Otívar. The aforementioned
towns pertaining to Málaga all share a common
of the precipitous gullies and near-vertical slopes
found here. Such geographical features are
carved out by watercourses, generally short, but
of extraordinary beauty, as is the case of the
Chillar and Higuerón Rivers, in the province of
Málaga, and the Verde River in Otívar, on the
Granada side.
CONVENTION BUREAU
SIERRAS DE TEJEDA,
ALMIJARA Y ALHAMA
NATURAL PARK
index
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TOURIST BOARD &
.
FAUNA
Tejeda y Almijara Natural Park is also of great
zoological interest thanks to the wide variety of
species which inhabit the area - even if the
diversity of animal species does not match the
enormous diversity of the plant-life here.
Amphibians (the painted frog, salamanders, the
Iberian ribbed newt, etc.) and reptiles (the
chameleon, the Spanish terrapin, the red-tailed
spiny-footed lizard, the horseshoe whipsnake, the
water snake, etc.) have a notable presence in the
area; however, it is the bird-life which draws the
most attention here for its great variety of colour
and behaviour.
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.
Natural Park
The great diversity of vegetation in Tejeda y
Almijara Natural Park is certainly one of its
foremost attractions. This diversity results from
The climatic conditions of Tejeda y Almijara
Natural Park are determined as much by its
geographical situation as by the height of the two
mountain ranges. These necessarily influence the
flora and, to a lesser extent, the fauna in the area.
The pluviometric studies carried out in the area
show that precipitation in the region of the park
Natural Park
FLORA
The intermediate layers are forested by carob
trees, Portuguese oaks, Holm oaks, wild olives,
cork oaks, juniper and an important colony of
Mediterranean black pine groves. It is impossible
to mention all of even the most important species
which make up the flora of the park since, of the
approximately 2,800 plant species classified in
the province of Málaga, more than half are
present in these mountains.
CLIMATE
.
The age of the Tejeda and Almijara Ranges varies
between 500 million years, in some zones
composed of quartzites and schists, and 25
million years, in areas of younger rock. Over the
course of time, extraordinarily interesting
geological features have come about such as the
Cueva de Nerja (Nerja Cave), the most visited
natural monument in Spain, as well as other
caverns which are less spectacular but equally
worthy of mention; among these are Cueva de la
Fájara (La Fájara Cave) in Canillas de Aceituno
and Sima de la Maroma (La Maroma Abyss).
the different elevation zones of the mountain
range and the various climatic layers existing
along the elevational gradient, which spans from
zero to 2,000 metres. At least four distinct
bioclimatic zones can be distinguished and some
specialists have differentiated five. Each zone
has its own unique characteristics: from the
lowest areas, where large subtropical fruit
plantations - which have replaced sugar cane
cultivations in recent years - can be found
alongside the European fan palm, the carob tree
and the Aleppo pine - to name just a few of the
species - up to the shrubland zone, which occurs
above the tree-line at elevations over 1,800
metres.
Squirrels, wild boars and deer also inhabit this
natural park while the ibex is certainly the most
prominent animal species here and its population
has grown considerably since the area was
declared a National Hunting Reserve in the early
1970s.
18
reminiscent of the mountain ranges found in the
north of Spain, especially the Picos de Europa.
This superficial similarity disappears, however,
when both regions are examined more closely
and each area's flora and fauna can be better
appreciated.
CONVENTION BUREAU
The eagles are particularly remarkable and can
easily be observed in full flight here. The golden
eagle and the Bonelli's eagle are typical birds of
prey found in the area. The goshawk,
sparrowhawk and the peregrine falcon are other
species which are often seen in the park. In
contrast, the mammal species here are quite
difficult to observe due to the fact that they tend to
be active only at night, though polecats, weasels,
and badgers are indeed abundant in the area.
index
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TOURIST BOARD &
There are no camping areas in the part of the
park found in the province of Málaga, although it
does feature recreational facilities in Cortijo del
Alcázar, in Alcaucín; La Llanada de Turvilla River
"La Fábrica de la Luz" (The Factory of Light), in
Natural Park
From the north of the province of Málaga, visitors
must first enter the city on the A-45 (N-331). At
Casabermeja there is a turn-off towards Vélez
Málaga which goes past the Embalse de la
Viñuela (La Viñuela Reservoir). From here, you
can continue on to Alcaucín and the rest of the
To access the park from the city of Granada you
must take the N-323 towards Motril. Upon
reaching the Suspiro del Moro (Sigh of the Moor)
mountain pass, you must take the A-7106
towards Otívar and Almuñécar. This road is
known as the "Carretera de la Cabra Montés"
(Ibex Highway). 25 kilometres after this turn-off,
you should continue on towards Jayena, Fornes,
Arenas del Rey and, lastly, Alhama de Granada.
In this town, the road connects with Highway A335 which, in turn, joins the MA-125. This road
leads to Canillas de Aceituno and to the other
towns belonging to Málaga, which adjoin the
park.
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Natural Park
For more information about these trails, please
consult the Málaga: Sun, Routes and Excursions
tourist guide at www.visitcostadelsol.com.
From Málaga and the Costa del Sol you must
take the Mediterranean Motorway - A-7 (N-340)
(E-15) - in the direction of Motril-Almería, until
reaching Vélez Málaga. The municipalities of
Alcaucín, Canillas de Aceituno, Sedella and
Salares are easily reached by taking highway A335 from Vélez Málaga. To get to Cómpeta or
Canillas de Albaida it is better to take the exit from
the Mediterranean Motorway towards Algarrobo
via the A-6203, which connects to the
aforementioned villages. These can also be
reached from Salares, in which case you must
first pass through Árchez.
villages located within Tejeda y Almijara Natural
Park. The towns of Frigiliana and Nerja are poorly
connected by the interior routes with the rest of
the villages mentioned; in order to reach them
you should continue along the Mediterranean
Motorway towards Motril-Almería.
.
del Cielo (Cielo Peak Climb) Trail; 10. Casa de la
Nieve Trail (Canillas de Aceituno-La Maroma); 11.
Cañon de Río Verde (Verde River Canyon) Trail;
12. Puente Romano (Roman Bridge) Trail
(Salares-Salares).
.
HOW TO GET THERE
CAMPING AREAS
The months of highest rainfall tend to be
December, January and March while the driest
month is July. With respect to temperature, three
zones can be distinguished: the zone of maritime
influence, which includes the districts of Nerja,
Frigiliana and Cómpeta and where the
temperature sinks to a minimum of four degrees
and reaches a maximum of 30. The second zone
corresponds to the mountain range itself; here
temperatures of between zero and 22 degrees
are recorded. The third zone is limited to the
province of Granada - and more specifically to the
Tierras de Alhama - where the thermometer
commonly registers -3 degrees in winter and 40
degrees in summer.
Canillas de Albaida; and La Fuente del Esparto
(the Esparto Fountain) and El Pinarillo, in Nerja. It
is also worth mentioning that there are twelve
marked trails in the park: 1. Alcázar-La Maroma
Trail; 2. El Robledal-La Maroma Trail; 3. Fábrica
de la Luz-Puerto de Cómpeta Trail; 4. Raspón de
los Moriscos Trail; 5. Casa de la Mina-Pradillos
Trail; 6. Subida al Pico de Lopera (Lopera Peak
Climb) Trail; 7. Frigiliana-Fuente del Esparto Trail;
8. Río Verde (Verde River) Trail; 9. Subida al Pico
CONVENTION BUREAU
varies from 400 mm per year - registered in Nerja,
to 650 mm in Alcaucín, to 1,000 mm per year on
the mountain peaks.
index
21
TOURIST BOARD &
VILLAGES
WITH
Five of the eight districts of Málaga which adjoin
Tejeda y Almijara Natural Park (Canillas de
Aceituno, Sedella, Salares, Canillas de Albaida
and Cómpeta) are connected by a single highway
- although the name of this highway changes
along different sections: MA-125, MA-126, MA127, MA-116. This allows the visitor to make a trip
through villages which are - thanks to their
elevation - real natural viewpoints affording
spectacular panoramic vistas of the Axarquía
region.
There is, however, one historical event which
unifies the past development of these
communities to an even greater extent (if
possible): the Moorish Rebellion of the 16th
century and the subsequent expulsion of the
Moors from the region. These lands would later
be repopulated by Old Christians who came to
the region from elsewhere. The Moorish
Rebellion in this area was quashed by the
Whatever the case, the main allure of the villages
situated on the slopes of the Tejeda and Almijara
Ranges is - as previously mentioned - the
scenery, which can change radically over a few
kilometres and is capable of surprising the visitor
at every turn. The scenery is complimented by the
very structure of the towns themselves, offering a
stark contrast between the brilliant whitewashed
façades of the houses, the intense verdure of the
mountain forests, and the changing shades of
ochre of the cultivated lands.
Although there are natural differences between
the various towns, they all share - for the most
Christians in a harsh manner meant to set an
example. This did not, however, prevent the
villages from conserving their original Moorish
layout, some of their customs, and several
Mudéjar churches considered to be real
architectural gems and a must-see for visitors to
the region.
CONVENTION BUREAU
ROUTES THROUGH
MOORISH FLAVOUR
part - the same historical background. Most of
these towns show evidence of prehistoric human
settlements, as well as of the presence of the
Phoenicians, the Carthaginians and the Romans.
However, the population centres as we know
them today were founded during the time of
Moorish rule.
Natural Park
Natural Park
.
.
.
.
22
index
23
TOURIST BOARD &
.
.
Beginning of route
CONVENTION BUREAU
SIERRAS DE TEJEDA, ALMIJARA Y ALHAMA
NATURAL PARK
Halfway point
End of route
Natural Park
Natural Park
Suggested route
.
.
24
index
25
TOURIST BOARD &
FIRS: SEEKING RELICS OF
THE ICE AGE
PINSAPO DE LA ESCALERETA
(LA ESCALERETA SPANISH
FIR) NATURAL MONUMENT
Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park
constitutes one of Andalusia's most valuable
ecological strongholds as it is home to the
Spanish fir - the park's greatest treasure and a
protected species in danger of extinction. The
Spanish fir occupies just over 3,000 hectares in
this park.
Sierra de las Nieves
.
Natural Park
Located in the heart of the Serranía de Ronda
natural region, Sierra de las Nieves is surrounded
by exceptional natural spaces including the
The group of mountain ranges which constitute
this natural park are of complex geological makeup. Materials of sedimentary origin formed from
large blocks of calcareous rock and dolomite are
the most significant component, making up the
main part of the mountain range. These are also
known as "white ranges" due to the colour of the
calcareous rock. Of secondary significance are
the "grey ranges"; these are composed largely of
Natural Park
SIERRA DE LAS NIEVES
NATURAL PARK
This park - declared a natural zone in 1989 and a
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1995 - covers a
total of 20,163 hectares divided among the
districts of El Burgo, Istán, Monda, Parauta,
Ronda, Tolox and Yunquera. The mountainous
terrain here is broken by deep gullies and
spectacular clefts, like that of the Caína, which
plunges more than 100 metres. It contains the
highest peak in the province of Málaga, El
Torecilla, at 1,919 metres; and, due to the
calcareous nature of the ground, many abysses
have formed here such as the Sima Gesm (Gesm
Abyss), the third deepest in the world at 1,100
metres and the deepest in Andalusia.
The park is located in an area of very rugged
terrain featuring deep gullies, impressive clefts,
and numerous mountain passes. This is a midmountain zone with elevations which vary
between 200 metres above sea level, at the
confluence of the Bornoque gully with the Verde
River, and 1,919 metres, at the summit of
Torrecilla Peak. Among the highest peaks found
here are the Peñón de Ronda (Ronda Rock)
(1,289 metres), Blanquilla (1,427), La Hidalga
(1,504), Carramolo del Queso (1,321), Nieves
(1,759), Peñón de los Enamorados (Los
Enamorados Rock) (1,747), Aranda (1,051),
Cerro del Picacho (Picacho Hill) (1,427) and Pico
del Jarro (El Jarro Peak) (1,309).
.
SIERRA BERMEJA NATURAL
AREA
natural parks of Los Alcornoques and Sierra de
Grazalema, to the west; Los Reales de Sierra
Bermeja Natural Area, to the south; and
Desfiladero de los Gaitanes (Gaitanes Ravine), to
the east.
.
.
26
SIERRA DE GRAZALEMA
NATURAL PARK
A visit to the Pinsapo de La Escalereta (La
Escalereta Spanish Fir) Natural Monument might
well make for the crowning moment on an
itinerary which is sure to rouse all the visitor's
senses in the enjoyment of this unparalleled trail.
SIERRA DE LAS NIEVES
NATURAL PARK
Sierra de las Nieves is considered to be one of
the areas of greatest scenic beauty in the south of
Spain. It is made up of several different mountain
ranges including the Serranía de Ronda, Sierra
Blanquilla, Sierra de la Hidalga, Sierra de Tolox,
Sierra de Yunquera, Sierra Real, Sierra de
Canucha, Sierra de las Nieves, Sierra del Pinar,
Sierra Bermeja and Sierra Blanca.
CONVENTION BUREAU
2. rOUTE OF THE SPANISH
A relic of the coniferous forests of the
Tertiary Period, the Spanish fir has the honour of
being one of the most prized species among
Málaga's flora. And with good reason: the
province is home to significant stands of this, the
most unique fir species in the world - a tree which
managed to survive the glacial era and which, in
Andalusia, can only be found in very specific
geographical enclaves. Indeed, it is here that the
largest grove of Spanish fir on the planet can be
found along with one of the oldest living
specimens known. This represents a great
attraction for all nature-lovers, who must visit
Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park and Grazalema
Natural Park - or make a trip to the Sierra
Bermeja Natural Area - in order to find the most
characteristic stands of these mute witnesses to
history.
peridotite. Finally, the lands consisting of clayey
materials are generally covered with agricultural
crops.
index
27
TOURIST BOARD &
important ones being the Sima Honda (Deep
Abyss), with a depth of 136 metres, and the Sima
Gesm (Gesm Abyss), with a 1,101 metre
Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park also represents
one of the most important examples of
Andalusian karst geology and the majority of this
natural zone is composed of carbonated rock
(limes, dolomites, and marbles) of both exokarstic
(superficial) and endokarstic (underground)
nature.
FLORA
The botanical highlight of Sierra de las Nieves is
the Spanish fir - a species which originated during
the glacial period and for which the park
constitutes the principal area of distribution in the
world. This species, which is only found in the
southern part of the Iberian Peninsula and in
northern Morocco, covers a little over 3,000
hectares of the park. The tree is dark green in
colour, conical in shape, and reaches a height of
20 to 25 metres. Its bark is whitish and it features
monoic flowers and short, scattered, rather sharp
leaves which it maintains over many years.
Natural Park
Natural Park
In addition, the Portuguese oak is found growing
in extremely sparse stands on the Quejigales
plateau in Sierra de las Nieves and is classified
.
.
Endokarstic landforms here include abysses and
caves. Abysses (cavities of predominately vertical
orientation) are generally found in the higher
elevation zones. Presently about a hundred of
these are known in the park with the most
elevational drop. Caves (cavities oriented
horizontally) are normally encountered in the
intermediate and lower elevation zones. Of
special interest are the Cueva de la Tinaja (La
Tinaja Cave), in Tolox, and the Cueva de
Zarzalones (Zarzalones Cave), in Yunquera.
Small groves of carob and chestnut trees also
exist here and the fruits of the latter species are
harvested for human consumption by the
villagers of Tolox and Parauta. The Castaño
Santo de Istán (Santo de Istán Chestnut Tree)
should not be missed; it is a centuries-old
specimen located in a wood in the area known as
El Hoyo.
Exokarst is principally represented here by
dolines (sinkholes) and by naked limestone
pavements (protruding rocky landforms of clints
and fissures which are difficult to traverse). The
principal hydrological function of these is to trap
rain and run-off water and allow it to seep into the
sub-surface. The springs found in the park are the
discharge points of these subterranean karstic
aquifers and include the source of the Verde
River, the source of the Grande River, and the
Zarzalones spring.
and the Cañada de la Encina (La Encina
Livestock Trail); that of Yunquera, between the
Cañada del Cañuelo (El Cañuelo Livestock Trail)
and the slopes of El Picacho; and that found on
the north slope of the Alcojona Range. Here, the
Pinsapo de la Escalereta (La Escalereta Spanish
Fir) - designated as a Natural Monument - can be
found. Other important conifer species in the area
include the maritime or black pine, the Aleppo
pine and the Scots pine.
Three large Spanish fir groves survive in the park:
that of the Sierra de las Nieves, between Quejigar
.
.
28
CONVENTION BUREAU
There are many more geographical features in
the park which are well worth mentioning
including the Garganta del Río Verde (Verde
River Gorge), Lifa Valley, Tajo de la Caína (Caína
Cleft) and the Sima Alcojona (Alcojona Abyss).
index
29
TOURIST BOARD &
Rupicolous and climbing species also abound in
the area. These establish themselves on rocky
substrates, common in the park thanks to its
numerous gorges and rock faces. Many
herbaceous species grow here as well including
the mountain rose, orchids, lilies and the
narcissus.
Foxes can commonly be seen prowling across
the wide open spaces and large trout can be
observed swirling through the waters of the Verde
River, always on the alert for otters.
HOW TO GET THERE
Due to the size of the park, there are several
ways to arrive by road. Some of the access routes
to this natural space of the Serranía de Ronda are
described below:
Highway C-339 (Ronda-San Pedro de Alcántara):
after passing the intersection to Igualeja on the
right, you will arrive at the park intersection on the
left-hand side, 12.5 kilometres from Ronda.
CLIMATE
The climate of Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park
could be classified as subtropical Mediterranean
in the lowest zones (in the south and east),
maritime Mediterranean in the area of RondaParauta (west) and continental Mediterranean in
the rest of the park.
CAMPING AREAS
Natural Park
Highway C-344 (Ronda-Málaga, via El Burgo):
after passing El Burgo, and 34 kilometres from
Ronda, is the village of Yunquera, another of the
principal gateways to the park.
Continuing along the same regional highway (C344) towards Málaga - and after passing the turnoff towards Alozaina on the left - you will come to
the Tolox intersection at Kilometre 48.5, four
kilometres away from the village.
Highway N-340 (Cádiz-Málaga): at Kilometre 184
in Marbella you must turn to the left at the Istán
intersection. Istán is located 16 kilometres away.
Highway C-337 (Coín-Marbella): Nine kilometres
from Coín you will come to the village of Monda.
This is one of the most picturesque villages in the
park. About two kilometres away in the direction
.
.
30
Natural Park
Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park features a
lodge called Cerro de Hijar in the district of Tolox
and a recreational area in Los Quejigares,
Ronda. Among the marked paths found in the
park are the Tolox-La Regia Trail (Tolox); the
Conejeras-Fuenfría Trail (Parauta); the
Quejigales-Torrecilla Trail (Ronda-Tolox); the
Highway C-344 (Ronda-Málaga, via El Burgo):
either from the town of El Burgo itself along the
road running parallel to the river, or by following
the highway about three kilometres in the
direction of Yunquera and taking the road which
exits to the right.
.
Mean annual temperatures vary between 10.7
and 17.3 degrees Celsius and average annual
precipitation exceeds 800 mm/year - this figure
increases with elevation and relief exposure.
.
The most emblematic and characteristic animal of
Sierra de las Nieves is the ibex. It is - together
with the Spanish fir - the symbol of the park and
is portrayed both in the park's logo as well as in
that of the Biosphere Reserve.
In terms of bird-life, there are scarcely any
breeding pairs of the Egyptian vulture remaining,
although greater numbers of goshawks, sparrow
hawks, kestrels, peregrine falcons and griffon
vultures can now be observed in the area.
Partridges, rabbits, the Egyptian mongoose and
small rodents like rats and moles all nest in the
park. Reptiles such as snakes, vipers, and
lizards, as well as frogs and other amphibians
make their home in the park as well.
Yunquera-Los Sauces Trail (Yunquera); the La
Fuensanta-Río Turón Trail; and the Monda-Istán
Trail.
FAUNA
With respect to the wildlife inhabiting the park, the
Environmental Agency has classified as many as
195 vertebrate species including the golden
eagle, the otter, the mouflon and the Spanish
ibex. The region makes an ideal refuge for the
ibex which is considered to be the "king" of these
lands. Roe deer are also present here in lesser
measure and can be observed at dusk
descending to drink water.
CONVENTION BUREAU
as an endangered species. Other trees present in
the area include Holm oaks, cork oaks, wild
olives, laurustinus, madrones, fig trees, poplars,
cottonwoods, elms, crack willows and tamarisks.
Important shrub species here include Spanish
juniper, common juniper, mastic, terebinth,
Kermes oak, blackthorn and hawthorn, as well as
Spanish broom, the European fan palm, wild
rose, and various types of heather. Other shrubby
species present include scorpion's thorn,
hedgehog broom, rock rose, reeds, rushes,
oleander, rosemary, thyme and chamomile.
index
31
TOURIST BOARD &
however, you must turn off after a few kilometres
and continue along the MA-413.
THROUGH THE VILLAGES
SERRANÍA DE RONDA
For the second itinerary, you should also leave
from Ronda and follow the A-376 until reaching
Parauta. If you want to visit Istán, however, it is
necessary to take the A-376 until reaching
Highway N-340 (Cádiz-Málaga). After reaching
Marbella at Kilometre 184, you must turn at the
intersection towards Istán, which is located 16
kilometres away.
OF
THE
To see all of the villages found in Sierra de las
Nieves Natural Park, the tour should be divided
into two different itineraries: the first would start
from Ronda and pass through the villages of El
Burgo, Yunquera, Tolox and Monda; the second
route would also begin in Ronda and include the
communities of Parauta and Istán.
CONVENTION BUREAU
of Marbella, a road exits to the right and leads into
the park.
The town of Ronda is connected with El Burgo,
Yunquera and Tolox via Highway A-366. To get to
Monda, you would also start out on the A-366;
Natural Park
Natural Park
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.
.
.
32
index
33
TOURIST BOARD &
Beginning of route
.
.
CONVENTION BUREAU
SIERRA DE LAS NIEVES NATURAL PARK
Halfway point
Suggested route 1
Suggested route 2
.
.
34
Natural Park
Natural Park
End of route
index
35
TOURIST BOARD &
Situated between the provinces of Málaga
and Cádiz, in the western-most part of the Iberian
Cordillera, Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
consists of 51,695 hectares of protected area. It
was declared a Biosphere Reserve by the
UNESCO in 1977. A few years later (in 1984) it
became a National Park and environmental
protection measures in the region are strictly
enforced.
This park includes 13 districts: five in the province
of Málaga (Benaoján, Montejaque, Cortes de la
Frontera, Jimera de Líbar and Ronda) and the
remaining eight in the province of Cádiz
(Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra, Villaluenga del
Rosario, Benaocaz, Ubrique, El Bosque, Prado
del Rey and El Gastor).
Sierra de Grazalema
The unique features of the Cueva de la Pileta (La
Pileta Cave) - declared a National Monument of
Cave Art in 1924 - and the Cueva de HundideroEl Gato (Hundidero-El Gato Cave) - of enormous
archaeological importance - make them quite
remarkable. Both are found in the district of
Benaoján, in Málaga. In the region of Zafalgar,
two of the park's most impressive gorges can be
found: the Garganta Verde (Verde Gorge) - which
is 400 metres deep - and the Garganta Seca (Dry
Gorge).
.
.
Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park stretches from
elevations as low as 300 metres up to 1,600
metres. The elevational extremes are found in El
Bosque, a town situated 289 metres above sea
level, and at El Torreón which, at 1,654 metres, is
the highest point in the park. This elevational
gradient occurs over a distance of scarcely ten
kilometres, evidence of the great topographical
diversity of the area.
Sierra de Grazalema
The total protected area of the park - 14,900
hectares spread across the Sierra de Líbar and
the Guadiaro Valley - is found in the province of
Málaga. Among the districts belonging to the
province of Málaga, that of Montejaque contains
the greatest area of protected land, with 4,556
hectares, closely followed by Cortes de la
Frontera, with 4,531 hectares. Ronda has 2,919
hectares of the protected area; Benaoján, 2,152
CONVENTION BUREAU
SIERRA DE GRAZALEMA
NATURAL PARK
hectares, and Jimera de Líbar, 742 hectares.
The topography of the region tends to be quite
rugged and features a great diversity of
geomorphological formations including clefts,
gorges, canyons, poljes (depressions of karstic
origin brought about by a process of dissolution)
and caves - not to mention the lush, green valleys
and extensive stretches of forest which bring to
mind landscapes found at other latitudes. And,
indeed, this region is among those with the
highest rainfall indices in Spain, with more than
2,000 litres per square metre recorded here
annually.
Natural Park
Natural Park
Man's presence in this region dates back to very
remote times but, as is so often the case in
Andalusia, historical data is first available from
the Moorish era. It is known that this region
served as the border between Christian and
Muslim lands in the 13th and 14th Centuries and
.
.
36
index
37
TOURIST BOARD &
Sierra de Grazalema
.
In Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park,
approximately 1,300 higher plant species have
been classified - this is quite a remarkable figure
and is evidence of the great botanical diversity in
the region. Here, the Mediterranean Holm oak is
the most wide-spread tree species both in the
lowlands as well as on the peaks. The carob tree
generally occurs together with the Holm oak. Also
abundant are groves of Portuguese oak, wild
olive and cork oak. However, the most
distinguished species found here is certainly the
Spanish fir which occurs exclusively in Sierra de
las Nieves, Sierra Bermeja, and in the Sierra del
.
Natural Park
During the Spanish War of Independence, this
region was the scene of many confrontations
between the French troops and the inhabitants of
the area. A few years afterwards, banditry
became common in these mountain ranges,
.
.
Natural Park
FLORA
Sierra de Grazalema
Remains found in the region indicate that the first
human settlements arose here during the
Palaeolithic Era. The founding of the first village
in the area - an occurrence which took place
much later - is attributed to the Celts, who
established a settlement which they called Alexia.
It was under Roman rule that Lacilbula (present
day Grazalema) became a stable population
centre, although the Moors were the ones who
would leave a more lasting impression on the
region with the founding of nearly all the villages
located within Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
today. Despite the Christian conquest of these
lands, many Moorish customs have endured over
the centuries, even if many have been altered to
some extent.
CONVENTION BUREAU
that some of its valleys were the scene of
confrontations. This explains the fact that
present-day human population centres are
located in strategic enclaves - almost always on
top of high hills or steep slopes - which is where
the first villages were founded. Over time, these
villages have become almost like another natural
element of the landscape.
probably the result of the proximity of the region
to the Serranía de Ronda.
Despite the fact that the peoples who have
inhabited this region since very early times have
not ceased to exploit its natural resources, the
environmental equilibrium here has never been at
risk. In fact, the forests of the region - one of the
main resources in the area along with livestock have not suffered any deterioration to speak of.
The area is currently experiencing an increase in
tourism - at a controlled pace, for the time being which is helping to greatly bolster the local
economy.
38
index
39
TOURIST BOARD &
As is generally the case in lands with a high
degree of elevational variation, the plant species
in this park occur where the climate - a function of
the elevation - is most favourable for them. Thus,
mallow, pipe vine, scorpion's thorn, thistle and
poppies give way to peony, thyme and Spanish
juniper at higher elevations, while cottonwoods,
willows and elms thrive alongside riverbeds and
streams.
377 in Manilva. This highway passes through
Gaucín, Algatocín, Benalauría, Benadalid, and
Atajate before finally reaching Ronda.
CONVENTION BUREAU
Pinar of this natural park. Sierra del Pinar
conserves a Spanish fir grove covering about 400
hectares in an area which also features
Portuguese oaks and Holm oaks. Of interest in
the part of the park pertaining to Málaga are the
cork oak forests of Bogas Bajas and the Holm oak
groves of Sierra Blanquilla and Palo.
From Ronda, the "Ciudad del Tajo" (City of the
Tagus), you should take the A-376 towards
Algodonales. About fifteen kilometres from
Ronda, you must turn off on the A-505; this leads
first to Montejaque and from there on to
Benaoján, on the A-506. Ten kilometres further
on, this highway passes through Jimera de Líbar
and, after driving seven kilometres further, you
will come to the village of Cortes de la Frontera.
average annual rainfall recorded in the region
exceeds 2,000 litres per square metre, as
mentioned above. This places it at the forefront of
Andalusia and of the entire Iberian Peninsula in
terms of the pluviometric index.
The climatic conditions of Sierra de Grazalema
Natural Park correspond to those of the maritime
Mediterranean zone. This means that the
average temperature does not usually fall below
nine degrees in winter or exceed 26 degrees in
summer. With respect to precipitation levels, the
.
It is advisable to use the city of Ronda as the
starting point for any trips into the interior of this
mountainous zone, both because of its proximity
to the area and because it is the most wellconnected of all the towns surrounding the park.
From Málaga or from the Eastern Costa del Sol,
the most direct route is Highway A-357, which
leaves from the city of Málaga in the direction of
Campillos. After passing Cártama and Ardales,
you must take the turn-off towards the A-367
about five kilometres past Ardales. After driving
for 40 kilometres along this highway, you will
come to Cuevas del Becerro, a mere 18
kilometres from Ronda.
From the Western Costa del Sol, it is necessary
to take AP-7 (N-340) (E-15) until you reach San
Pedro de Alcántara; here, the A-376 begins,
which leads directly to Ronda. It is also possible from the Western Costa del Sol - to take the A-
Natural Park
.
.
Natural Park
CLIMATE
HOW TO GET THERE
.
The most characteristic of the mammal species in
the park is the ibex, while the griffon vulture is the
most representative bird. Indeed, the colony of
griffon vultures in the area is considered to be one
of the most important in Europe. These species
share the park with foxes, the common otter, roe
deer and red deer and it is not uncommon to
encounter some of these animals when visiting
the park. Other notable bird species found here
include the golden eagle, the Bonelli's eagle, the
osprey, the Eurasian eagle owl, the black kite, the
Egyptian vulture and the peregrine falcon.
Sierra de Grazalema
Sierra de Grazalema
FAUNA
40
index
41
TOURIST BOARD &
Sierra de Grazalema
Sierra de Grazalema
CONVENTION BUREAU
SIERRA DE GRAZALEMA NATURAL PARK
.
.
Beginning of route
Halfway point
Suggested route
.
.
42
Natural Park
Natural Park
End of route
index
43
TOURIST BOARD &
Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja Natural
Area, which includes a total of 1,236 hectares of
protected land, is situated at the junction of the
municipal districts of Estepona, Genalguacil and
Casares, though the majority of its Spanish fir
forest is found in Genalguacil. The natural area is
part of the Sierra Bermeja where a mountain
range is found in the heart of the Genal Valley. It
separates the Serranía de Ronda from the
Mediterranean coast along a 35-kilometre
stretch. The mountain range has an average
height of 1,000 metres and is located between
To take a trip through Los Reales de Sierra
Bermeja is to enter a marvellous landscape of
Spanish fir forests juxtaposed against the
reddish-coloured rock which gives the mountain
range its name and make it stand out from among
the white calcareous rock of the Sierra de las
Nieves and the Sierra Blanca, in Marbella. It
should be mentioned that the ground here
constitutes the most extensive area of peridotite
rock in the world and it supports the only stand of
Spanish fir growing on peridotites.
Big game hunting and fishing are traditional
practices here and they - along with tourism,
which has undergone a spectacular increase in
recent years - are a considerable source of
income for the area.
Reales de Sierra Bermeja
This natural area features a number of
recreational facilities near the summit of Los
Reales. There is a mountain shelter - currently
operated as a bar/restaurant - as well as a picnic
area with barbecues and tables. Two viewpoints
allow visitors to enjoy a panoramic vista of the
mountains.
FLORA
Natural Area
Natural Area
.
Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja is a natural area
with significant forest cover and which is home to
numerous endemic species with highlights being
the stands of Spanish fir and the cork oak groves.
These exist alongside forests of black pine,
Portuguese oak and other species.
.
.
The Spanish fir was first described for the
scientific world by the Swiss scientist E. Boissier
in 1837 on the Los Reales massif. He was guided
by the pharmacist Félix Haenseler, of Málaga,
who had also made a great discovery: that of
index
.
44
CONVENTION BUREAU
REALES DE SIERRA
BERMEJA NATURAL AREA
the Sierra de las Nieves and Pico de Los Reales
(Los Reales Peak).
45
TOURIST BOARD &
More than 250 species live together in this natural
area. Important shrub species include scorpion's
thorn, madrone and poplar-leaved rock rose.
FAUNA
.
Natural Area
The soil type and the location of Los Reales de
Sierra Bermeja - in the south near the coast bring forth some special characteristics in the
Spanish firs found in the area. The branches of
the trees here are arranged in horizontal planes,
and their trunks are straight and cylindrical. Older
specimens exhibit twisted trunks or trunks divided
into many tops in the form of a candelabra, giving
them an almost ghostly beauty.
Today, there are four quite distinct Spanish fir
groves which have been preserved in these
mountains: the Los Reales grove, the grove of
Genalguacil (or Los Reales Chicos), that of
Casares (or La Mujer) and that of Estepona.
.
.
The elevational gradient in the region, its
proximity to the sea and its location in the western
half of the province - quite near the Strait of
Natural Area
The Spanish fir flowers in April and May and
bears fruit from September to October. It is
tolerant with respect to soil composition but not
with respect to humidity (the Spanish fir zone one
of the areas with the highest rainfall, though it can
indeed resist long periods of drought). Spanish fir
can live for up to 400 years and may reach 30
metres in height.
CLIMATE
.
46
the Egyptian mongoose - an animal which had
been completely unknown up until that time. The
Spanish fir occupies an area of about 100
hectares in Los Reales alone. Most of this area is
located within the municipal district of
Genalguacil.
Vertebrates here include the populations of forest
birds as well as mammals like the genet and the
roe deer while, with respect to the invertebrates,
it is worth noting that more than 60 species of
butterfly are found here.
When walking through Los Reales de Sierra
Bermeja it is possible to observe such species as
the ibex, the otter, the golden eagle, the peregrine
falcon, the sparrowhawk and the Eurasian eagle
owl. The presence of these species is evidence of
the high degree of conservation in the area
despite the loss of such valuable species as the
bear or the wolf in days gone by. Other species
inhabiting the park include the North African
hedgehog and the Egyptian mongoose.
CONVENTION BUREAU
These forests are complemented with cork oaks
and maritime pine.
index
47
TOURIST BOARD &
.
Various itineraries can be undertaken in Los
Reales de Sierra Bermeja Natural Area including,
Once you have finished visiting Estepona, you
should take the MA-557 regional highway
You can also get to Casares on the AP-7 (N340)
motorway by taking highway A-377 at Manilva.
After driving for about 10 kilometres along this
road, you will encounter the turn-off towards
Casares, which you will come to about three
kilometres further on.
Natural Area
From Málaga you must take the A-7 until
reaching the town of Fuengirola after which you
should continue on the AP-7 (N 340) (E-15) to
Estepona. From Estepona, it is necessary to take
the MA-557 regional highway towards Jubrique.
About 15 kilometres after beginning the ascent on
this regional highway, you will come to the Puerto
de Peñas Blancas mountain pass.
Here, you will be faced with a crossroads. Going
to the right will lead to Jubrique, 18 kilometres
from the intersection. A left turn will take you to
the Paseo de los Pinsapos (Walk of the Spanish
Firs), 3.2 kilometres further on; to the Agustín
Lozano shelter, 4.5 kilometres further on; and to
the recreational area of Los Reales, 4.5
ROUTES THROUGH THE VILLAGES OF LOS
REALES DE SIERRA BERMEJA
You should then leave Genalguacil on the MA536 in the direction of Algatocín; in this town it is
necessary to turn off onto the A-369. After
passing through Gaucín, you must take the A-377
for another 16 kilometres in order to reach your
destination: Casares.
.
.
.
Natural Area
HOW TO GET THERE
kilometres from the intersection. 500 metres after
beginning the Paseo de los Pinsapos, you will
encounter a sign bearing a poem written by
Federico García Lorca.
You should leave Jubrique on the MA-536 in the
direction of Genalguacil, which is reached after
driving for a little over 11 kilometres.
48
Gibraltar - make for a maritime Mediterranean
climate in this area. This means that winters are
mild and rainy and summers are long, but not hot.
The mean annual temperature varies between 14
and 17 degrees.
The tour would begin in the Costa del Sol town of
Estepona, a village which is reached, when
setting out from Málaga, via the AP-7. The
municipal district of Estepona is dominated along
nearly its entire length by the Sierra Bermeja,
making for simply spectacular scenery. In
addition, the town has tried to avoid massive
development as much as possible; the Town
Council of Estepona was awarded the "Live in
Spain - CISA 2004" award for the best
administration of residential development.
towards Jubrique. About 15 kilometres after
beginning the ascent on this regional highway,
you will come to Puerto de Peñas Blancas
mountain pass. Here, you will see a sign on the
left-hand side indicating that following that road
for 18 kilometres will bring you to Jubri-que.
CONVENTION BUREAU
for example, the Paseo de los Pinsapos (Walk
of the Spanish Firs), which starts from the Puerto
de Peñas Blancas mountain pass. Other possible
tours include the route from Peñas Blancas to La
Majá de los Alcornoques, which passes through
the Spanish fir grove of Los Reales de Sierra
Bermeja, and the route from the mountain shelter
at the Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja recreational
area to the Pico de los Reales de Sierra Bermeja
(Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja Peak).
Nonetheless, in this guide we wish to draw your
attention to the villages which can be visited on
trip to this area of such special natural
significance.
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49
TOURIST BOARD &
Beginning of route
.
.
CONVENTION BUREAU
REALES DE SIERRA BERMEJA NATURAL AREA
Halfway point
End of route
Natural Area
Suggested route 2
.
.
50
Natural Area
Suggested route 1
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51
TOURIST BOARD &
CONVENTION BUREAU
PINSAPO DE LA
ESCALERETA NATURAL
MONUMENT
Making the trip to El Pinsapo de La
Escalereta (La Escalereta Spanish Fir) - the
oldest living fir in Sierra de las Nieves Natural
Park - not only means entering a world full of
beauty and age-old wonder, but also gives you
the opportunity to behold with wondering eyes
one of the largest known specimens of this
conifer species, Abies pinsapo.
Pinsapo de la Escalereta
El Pinsapo de La Escalereta is a wise, old tree
which should be respected, for certainly if we
were able to hear what it had to say, we would
discover many great mysteries and legends of
past and present. What a great many things must
have come to pass over the centuries (the tree is
estimated to be nearly 500 years old) during
which this great fir slowly assumed its spectacular
form: it is more than 26 metres tall, 5.10 metres
around the trunk and has a crown which spreads
over an area greater than 200 square metres.
.
.
This natural monument is found tucked away in
the heart of Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, in
the district of Parauta. The park stretches through
several municipal districts in Málaga, with
Parauta containing 2,831 hectares of it - 14.04%
of the total area.
Natural Monument
Natural Monument
Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park is a living
museum whose most prized treasure is the
Spanish fir, a relic left over from the great
coniferous forests of the glacial eras of millions of
years ago which is now nearly extinct. The
species is endemic to southern Andalusia and
northern Africa. The Spanish fir is protected by
law as an endangered species.
.
.
52
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53
TOURIST BOARD &
As you start along the way to El Pinsapo de La
Escalereta, you will find yourself in a native
meso-Mediterranean Holm oak forest and, as
you get closer to the Spanish fir, you will come
across the most well-conserved Holm oak forest
in the park. Other trees found here in addition to
the Spanish fir include the Holm oak, cork oak,
junipers and pines.
you will come across one of the entrances to
Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park.
If you take this access route - which consists of a
dirt road - into the natural park, you will have to
drive a further 2.5 kilometres at which point the
road will fork after passing over a streambed. The
right fork leads to La Fuenfría, but you should
Once past the fence, you enter a magical world
with a special microclimate. Here, Spanish fir
regeneration is more apparent and trees of
varying ages can be seen, often accompanied by
young Holm oaks. This road, which is marked
with the characteristic trail arrows, leads to the
Pinsapo de la Escalereta where, from a
viewpoint, you can marvel at the beauty of this
unique natural monument.
HOW TO GET THERE
.
Natural Monument
54
At this point we recommend you leave your
vehicle parked in order to begin the hike on foot.
index
.
.
Wildlife also abounds in the region and mammal
species include the ibex, the wild boar, the fox,
the wild cat, badgers, genets, weasels, rabbits,
field mice, the garden dormouse, fallow deer,
mouflon and red deer.
Natural Monument
FAUNA
.
With respect to the undergrowth and
shrublands, important species include
hawthorns, daphne, peony, marjoram, rock
rose, Jerusalem sage, honeysuckle, lavender,
Spanish juniper and ferns, along with an
abundance of lichen and moss which occur
beneath the closed forest canopy.
take the road to the left, which is bordered on
both sides by private property.
After two kilometres on this road, you will come to
a large area of open land known as La Nava de
San Luis; here, at a distance, you will be able to
see a unique ranch and a copse of pristine
Spanish fir growing in the shadow of the Cerro
Alcojona (Alcojona Hill). You must pass to the left
of the ranch and continue along the road towards
the Los Quejigales recreational area. About
halfway to the recreational area there is a turn-off
to the right which indicates the trail to the Pinsapo
de la Escalereta. Continuing on to the
recreational area would give you the chance to
hike one of the set trails in Sierra de las Nieves
Natural Park, the Quejigales-Torrecilla (the
highest peak in the province of Málaga at 1,919
metres) Trail.
Starting from the city of Málaga, you must take
the A-357 in the direction of Teba. Before
reaching Teba, there is a turn-off to the left which
indicates the road to Ronda and which connects
with the A-367 Campillos-Ronda Highway. From
Ronda, you must take the bypass which leads to
San Pedro de Alcántara (A-367) and, about 1.5
kilometres from the Parauta-Igualeja intersection,
The start of the trip involves a descent along a dirt
road for about two kilometres. After passing the
gate which accesses the Verde River basin and a
few metres after circumventing a concrete culvert,
you will come to a pathway on the right which
forces you to pass through a livestock fence - built
here to keep out goats and sheep which might
damage the healthy Spanish fir regeneration
existing in the area.
CONVENTION BUREAU
FLORA
Birds which can be observed in the area include
woodpigeons, jays, partridges, and blackbirds;
among the raptors: short-toed, booted, and
golden eagles; goshawks, sparrowhawks,
kestrels, the Eurasian eagle owl and the common
barn owl. One of the amphibian species found
here is the natterjack toad. The ladder snake, the
Montpellier snake and the viper are quite
common in the woodlands of this part of Sierra de
las Nieves.
55
TOURIST BOARD &
CONVENTION BUREAU
PINSAPO DE LA ESCALERETA NATURAL MONUMENT
.
.
Natural Monument
End of route
Road by car
Road on foot
Road
.
.
Natural Monument
Beginning of route
56
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57
TOURIST BOARD &
This extensive natural zone, located
between the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga,
occupies a total area of 170,025 hectares of
protected land, and - as can be guessed from its
name - it is home to the largest and most wellconserved cork oak forest in Spain and one of the
most important in the world. This forest of cork
oaks, along with the abundance of other plant
species living in the area, were the reason that it
was declared a Natural Park in 1989, although
the part of the park pertaining to Málaga had
already been named a National Hunting Reserve
previously (in 1970).
Only 12,289 hectares of the park's enormous total
area belong to the province of Málaga; more
specifically, to the district of Cortes de la Frontera.
This district also contains part (4,531 hectares) of
CONVENTION BUREAU
LOS ALCORNOCALES
NATURAL PARK
3 rOUTE OF THE CORK
GROVES: THE CORK
TRAIL
.
.
Natural Park
Natural Park
In some areas of the province of Málaga,
the existing woodlands have represented - from
time immemorial - a source of resources,
obtained through exploitation of the forest. The
harvesting of cork from the cork oak is a typical
example of such activities and is still done in the
province today. The extensive forest of
Fagacaeas, which stretches from the western
edge of Málaga and into neighbouring Cádiz, is
one of the areas where this practice is still carried
out - mainly during the summer months. Los
Alcornocales (Cork Groves) Natural Park is,
however, much more than that: it is, indeed, one
of the most important protected areas in
Andalusia. Furthermore, due to its immense size
(it covers 170,025 hectares of land), it could be
considered an excellent choice in and of itself for
an excursion capable of fascinating the visitor
with its dream-landscape.
Los Alcornocales
Los Alcornocales
LOS ALCORNOCALES
(CORK GROVES)
NATURAL PARK
.
.
58
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59
TOURIST BOARD &
Los Alcornocales
.
Nevertheless, as previously mentioned, the plant
species par excellence in this natural park is the
cork oak, and it, in turn, forms the economic basis
for the entire region. Traditionally, the bark of the
cork oak - that is to say, the cork - was peeled off
every nine years. This led to the establishment of
an entire industry. However, the collection of cork
requires no small amount of labour to carry out
the various activities involved. These include
everything from caring for the cork grove itself to
.
.
Natural Park
Among the unique features of this region are the
so-called "canutos" (little tubes). These are
narrow valleys of fluvial origin which, today, only
exist in Spain and in a few very specific places in
Turkey. The "canutos" act like a natural
greenhouse and lush vegetation quite unlike that
found anywhere else grows in these valleys.
60
Natural Park
The strategic geographical location of Los
Alcornocales Park has not only been favourable
to human settlement since very remote times, but
has also fomented the transitory presence of
hundreds of bird species which - en route from
colder climes - cross the Strait of Gibraltar here in
search of warmer temperatures. Thus, in spring
and autumn, the park becomes a staging grounds
for hundreds of thousands of birds waiting for
favourable winds to help them cross the 14
kilometres that separate them from northern
Africa. When the birds finally take flight, they offer
a spectacle of indescribable beauty.
.
The geological formation of this region began in
the Tertiary Period of the Cenozoic Era and is
estimated to have lasted for 60 million years. The
climate in the Northern Hemisphere was, at that
time, hot and humid, ideal for the growth of
tropical forests. These forests, however, slowly
began to disappear as the climate became
steadily drier. Only scanty remnants of the forests
lived on in the more humid areas, as is the case
of Los Alcornocales, which has survived as the
There are remains which suggest that these
lands have been populated by man since at least
the time of the Lower Palaeolithic. Human
presence here is reflected in the more than 150
shelters and caves which are scattered
throughout these mountain ranges and which
bear abundant examples of cave art. Examples of
Palaeolithic art can be seen in the
representations found in the caves of Las
Palomas and El Ciervo. There are, however, a
great deal more remains which have survived
from post-Palaeolithic times in the caves of El
Tajo de las Figuras (The Cleft of the Figures),
Bacinete and La Laja Alta, all of which are also
located in areas of great scenic beauty.
Los Alcornocales
Jerez de la Frontera and Algeciras are the most
populated in the area though, indeed, the towns
themselves are located outside the protected
area of the park.
last Mediterranean rainforest in existence today.
High mountain ranges in the region retain
weather fronts coming in off the Atlantic, giving
the area a very high precipitation level (around
1,000 litres per square metre annually). This and
the protective nature of a special microclimate
favour the growth of lush vegetation, as seen in
the Bosque de Laurisilva (Laurisilva Forest).
CONVENTION BUREAU
Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. The part of
Los Alcornocales pertaining to Málaga also
happens to be one of the most well-conserved
areas in the park. The other districts included in
the park (Alcalá de los Gazules, Algar, Algeciras,
Arcos de la Frontera, Benalup-Casas Viejas,
Benaocaz, Castellar de la Frontera, El Bosque,
Jerez de la Frontera, Jimena de la Frontera, Los
Barrios, Medina Sidonia, Prado del Rey, San
José del Valle, Tarifa and Ubrique) belong to the
province of Cádiz. There are, in total, 17 districts
- with an overall population of nearly 400,000
people - which form part of the park. The towns of
index
61
TOURIST BOARD &
.
Natural Park
FLORA
Among the many animal species who make their
permanent home in Los Alcornocales, special
mention should be made of the Egyptian
mongoose - one of the largest colonies of which
REST AREAS
Located in Cortes de la Frontera, La Sauceda
campground is a great place to rest in the midst
of natural surroundings. The authorised trails in
Los Alcornocales Natural Park which belong to
index
.
In addition to the cork oak, which occupies an
area of 80,000 hectares (a little more than half of
the park's total area) and grows at elevations
The location of Los Alcornocales - which looks out
over the Strait of Gibraltar at Tarifa - gives the
region a pleasant average temperature regime
which varies between 12 degrees, in January,
and 26, in August. East winds push great masses
of clouds onto the mountain ranges here resulting
in annual rainfall levels of around 1,000 litres per
square metre. This favours the growth of rich
vegetation and, as a consequence, very diverse
fauna.
Natural Park
.
the maintenance of the roads leading to the trees
and they require a great many working days.
Economic gains from cork production are
complemented by the tourist boom which has
occurred in the region in recent years as well as
by income from driven-hunts which are organized
in some areas of the park.
The fauna in Los Alcornocales is quite as varied
as its diverse flora. The migratory birds which
congregate here - waiting to cross over into Africa
- include short-toed eagles, booted eagles,
Egyptian vultures, black kites, white and black
storks, honey buzzards and many others of great
interest to aficionados of ornithology - many of
whom come to the park along with the birds in
order to witness their crossing of the Strait of
Gibraltar.
CLIMATE
.
62
FAUNA
is found in this area - the roe deer, the wild cat,
the otter, the genet, the red deer and the wild
boar. With respect to bird species, perhaps the
most typical permanent residents would be the
griffon vulture, the Bonelli's eagle and the
Eurasian eagle owl.
Los Alcornocales
Los Alcornocales
On the mountain slopes - generally not suitable
for forest growth - mastic, rock rose, spurge flax,
hawthorns, Spanish lavender and heather
species can be found, along with many other
typical Mediterranean species. The botanical
richness of the region along with its special
climatological conditions - above all the high
degree of humidity - allow the survival of some
forest stands of extremely dense foliage. Such
vegetation is rare in Andalusia and it tends to
surprise the visitor, calling to mind far-off lands.
CONVENTION BUREAU
between 300 and 900 metres, Los Alcornocales
boasts an amazing and diverse range of plantlife. Near the aforementioned "canutos" one can
observe laurisilva forest, laurels, holly-trees,
alder, ashes and cottonwoods all growing
together with ferns and climbing plants. Moss
generally carpets the forest floor here and
sometimes even covers the bark of the trees. And
indeed, the cork oak forests themselves do not
consist solely of this one tree species rhododendron, wild olives, carob trees and
European fan palms are all found in this
ecosystem.
63
TOURIST BOARD &
HOW TO GET THERE
.
.
From the Western Costa del Sol, you must
follow the A-7 (N-340) (E-15) Mediterranean
Motorway until reaching San Pedro de
Alcántara, a town situated between Marbella
and Estepona. Highway A-376 leaves from San
Pedro and ends directly in Ronda.
Natural Park
.
.
Natural Park
From the interior of Andalusia, you should take
the A-92 motorway in the direction of
Antequera. Before entering the city, you will
come to the turn-off towards Campillos on the
A-384. One kilometre before reaching this
village you will connect with a section of the A357, which then connects onto the A-367. This
leads firstly to Cuevas del Becerro and finally to
Ronda.
Los Alcornocales
Los Alcornocales
The park can only be accessed from the Málaga
side via Cortes de la Frontera, the only district
of this province included in Los Alcornocales.
When travelling from the Eastern Costa del Sol
or from the interior of Andalusia, it is advisable
to first go to Ronda and, from there, set out for
Cortes de la Frontera. From the Eastern Costa
del Sol you can get to the city of Málaga via the
A-7 (N-340) (E-15) Mediterranean Motorway.
From there, you should take the A-357 in the
direction of Campillos. After passing through
Cártama and Ardales, the road connects with
the A-367, about 5 kilometres past Ardales; this
highway then leads directly to Ronda.
You should leave Ronda, the "Ciudad del Tajo"
(City of the Tagus), on highway A-369, and, after
passing Atajate, Benadalid and Algatocín, turn off
on highway A-373. This will lead to Cortes de la
Frontera. Cortes de la Frontera can also be
reached from the Western Costa del Sol without
having to go through Ronda first. This can be
done by taking highway A-377, which leaves
from Manilva and passes through Gaucín. Two
kilometres before you get to Algatocín, you must
take highway A-373. After driving along this road
for about 15 kilometres, you will come to Cortes
de la Frontera.
CONVENTION BUREAU
the province of Málaga are La Sauceda-Pico
Aljibe (La Sauceda-Aljibe Peak) Trail; Laguna del
Moral (El Moral Lagoon) Trail; El Cao y Castillo de
Jimena (El Cao and Jimena Castle) Trail; Río
Hozgarganta y Laja Alta (Hozgarganta River and
Laja Alta) Trail. All of these are located in the
district of Cortes de la Frontera.
64
index
65
TOURIST BOARD &
Los Alcornocales
Los Alcornocales
CONVENTION BUREAU
LOS ALCORNOCALES NATURAL PARK
Natural Park
Natural Park
.
.
La Sauceda - Pico Aljibe Trail
.
.
66
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67
TOURIST BOARD &
r
4 OUTE OF THE
INTERIOR NATURAL
AREAS: THE QUIRKS OF
INDOMITABLE NATURE
.
DESFILADERO DE LOS
GAITANES (GAITANES
RAVINE) NATURAL AREA
TORNILLO DEL TORCAL
NATURAL MONUMENT
FALLA DE LA SIERRA DEL
CAMORRO (SIERRA DEL
CAMORRO FAULT)
NATURAL MONUMENT
El Torcal de Antequera is the most impressive
example of karstic landscape (calcareous
landscape) not just in Spain, but in all of Europe.
The monument - including the adjoining Sierra
Pelada - covers an area of about 20 square
kilometres, although the area of protected land is
1,171 hectares. It was declared a Natural Site of
National Interest in 1929 and was subsequently
reclassified as a Natural Park in 1978. It is
currently classified as a Natural Area.
El Torcal de Antequera Natural Area is divided in
several zones:
a) Sierra Pelada:
This zone is situated to the east of the monument
and is characterised by a rather flat landscape
with an abundance of dolines (sink-holes). The
vegetation here is quite sparse and the maximum
elevation in this zone is 1,154 metres at the socalled Camorro de los Monteses or Cerro del
Repetidor (El Repetidor Hill).
Natural Area
CAÑÓN DE BUITRERAS (LAS
BUITRERAS CANYON)
NATURAL MONUMENT
This is the perfect route both for the most-daring
of explorers as well as for those who enjoy
discovering new perspectives of the ecosystems
which surround them. El Tornillo de El Torcal, the
awesome formation which was named a Natural
Monument in 2001 and which has become the
foremost example of karstic landscapes, is a
case in point. La Falla de la Sierra del Camorro,
in Cuevas de San Marcos, and El Cañón de las
Buitreras (Buitreras Canyon), in the Serranía de
Ronda round out the spectacle. These
monuments are sure to amaze.
Situated in the heart of the Antequera
plain, El Torcal de Antequera looks like a greyishcoloured city of stone. Visitors can lose
themselves in the impressive labyrinth of stone
blocks, passageways, and dead-end streets that
make up the monument. Mother Nature seems to
have moulded these stones on a whim - as
though she were making a sculpture - leaving the
rock in the shape of animals, people, screws,
binoculars, religious articles, and more. And all
this is surrounded by a silence broken only by the
voices of visitors or the noises of nature itself.
An abundance of water is certainly necessary for
the tedious process of erosion. Of the 12 springs
found here, the most important is the Villa Spring.
It maintains its ample flow of water even in the
middle of summer and supplies water to
Antequera - the principal town in the area.
.
.
.
Natural Area
SIERRA CRESTELLINA
NATURAL AREA
TORCAL DE ANTEQUERA
NATURAL AREA
68
Torcal de Antequera
Torcal de Antequera
TORCAL DE ANTEQUERA
NATURAL AREA
Landscapes that seem to belong to other
worlds, unsettling geological formations... these
are impressive images which only serve to
demonstrate the immeasurable power of
indomitable Mother Nature over the earthly
elements which have been subjected to her
whims for millennia. In the central part of the
province of Málaga - and only a few kilometres
apart from one another - visitors can enjoy three
of the foremost testimonies in the world to
Mother Nature's capricious force: Torcal de
Antequera, Sierra Crestellina and El Desfiladero
de los Gaitanes (Gaitanes Ravine) Natural Areas
- three sublime settings which fascinate all who
come to behold them.
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El Torcal is made up of three kinds of calcareous
rock: oolitics, breccias, and clastics. All of these
had their origins on the sea floor during the
Jurassic Period and were subsequently pushed
to the surface by the process of mountain folding.
Despite having been raised more than 1,000
metres above the water surface level, the rock
has retained its horizontal orientation to a large
degree. The earth's erosive processes have
carved out numerous fissures, passages, and
rocks of many shapes which today make El Torcal
de Antequera a living museum, surrounded by
nature in all her glory.
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FAUNA
The fauna here includes 116 vertebrate species
counting all the amphibians, reptiles, birds and
mammals found within the natural area. A great
number of invertebrates are also present with the
majority of them being insects.
La Sima Azul (Blue Abyss), a vertical tectonic
cavity of 114 metres deep; La Sima de la Mujer
(Abyss of the Woman), 90 metres deep; La Sima
de la Unión (Union Abyss), 143 metres deep; La
Cueva de Marinaleda (Marinaleda Cave), which
features decorated ceramic remains pertaining to
a burial site; and La Cueva del Toro (Cave of the
Bull) - one of the most important, containing
significant archaeological remains from the
Middle Neolithic.
FLORA
In El Torcal, reptiles can often be seen in
springtime and summer. These include such
species as the ocellated lizard, the large
psammodromus, the Spanish lizard, the ladder
snake, the Montpellier snake and the snub-nosed
viper, whose venomous bite is quite dangerous.
Mammals in the area include ibexes - easily
visible here if one is careful not to frighten them voles, foxes, badgers, weasels and rabbits.
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Natural Area
Natural Area
Other bird species of interest in El Torcal include
the black wheatear and the black-eared
wheatear, the Eurasian eagle owl, the little owl,
the common kestrel, the Eurasian crag martin,
the red-billed chough and many different smaller
birds (the blue tit, the great tit, the European
goldfinch, the lesser whitethroat, the crested lark
and the thekla lark, the black redstart, the blue
rock thrush, the rock bunting, etc.).
.
The diversity of flora in El Torcal de Antequera is
quite impressive as at least 664 different species
of plants have been catalogued here counting
lichens, bryophytes, pteridophytes, and
spermatophytes. Of greatest importance from a
botanical standpoint are the plant communities
composed of rupicolous (rock-dwelling)
vegetation, which moulds itself to the fissures and
cracks in the rock, found in the natural area. Holm
oaks, Portuguese oaks, mountain ash, and
One of the most important aspects of El Torcal's
wildlife diversity is its wide variety of bird species.
This has lead to the Sierra's being declared a
Special Bird Protection Area (SBPA). Here, birdlovers can observe golden eagles, peregrine
falcons, and Bonelli's eagles, as well as griffon
vultures.
Torcal de Antequera
Torcal de Antequera
b) El Torcal Alto (Upper El Torcal):
Located in the south-west part of the natural
area, this zone includes the most impressive
area of karstic relief in El Torcal, featuring a
complex network of holes or closed dolines with
narrow passageways. The maximum elevation in
this zone is 1,339 metres on the Mástil de los
Montañeros. On this landform, with its massive
vertical faces and rocky openings, the majority of
d) Las Carihuelas and Cortijo del Navazo
Verde (Navazo Verde Ranch):
This zone is among those which are difficult to
access and it contains no visitors' routes. It is
located in the western-most part of the natural
area and features Las Carihuelas, an ancient
Roman road situated 1,000 metres above sea
level, and El Navazo, an area traditionally
dedicated to agriculture.
Another characteristic feature of Torcal de
Antequera are the abysses and caverns found
here. The most impressive among them include
maples can also be found here, along with
honeysuckles, shrubs and forest-edge species.
Of special interest, however, is the ivy which
grows in great abundance in El Torcal Alto. It
takes on a wide range of beautiful forms in order
to adapt itself to the rock.
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the wildlife found in El Torcal can be observed.
c) El Torcal Bajo (Lower El Torcal):
Situated in the north-east, this is a plateau of
smooth terrain bordered by El Torcal Alto, the
Sierra Pelada and the cliffs. This part of the
natural area features historical and cultural
remains from bygone eras. The summit of La
Vilaneras is one of most important rocky areas in
the natural area.
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CLIMATE
El Torcal de Antequera has a mid-elevation,
semi-humid Mediterranean climate with three
months of winter and annual precipitation
levels of around 1,000 mm. The summer
months are heavily influenced by drought
conditions.
HOW TO GET THERE
Torcal de Antequera
.
.
Natural Area
Natural Area
Torcal de Antequera
When leaving from Málaga, you must take
highway N-331 (A-45) towards Antequera. After
entering the area of the Antequera plain, you
must turn onto the A-354; this will take you to the
town centre of Antequera after little more than
two kilometres. In Antequera, you should look for
La Puerta de Estepa; here, signs can be found
indicating the way to El Torcal on the C-3310
regional highway in the direction of Villanueva de
la Concepción. 12 kilometres further on - after
traversing "La Boca del Asno" (Donkey's Mouth)
pass (anticlinal termination of the structure of El
Torcal) - you will come to the crossroads which
leads to El Torcal. Right at this intersection, there
is a small building with a sign reading "Punto de
Información" (Information Point); this is a good
place to stop and ask for more detailed
information before visiting the area.
About halfway from the intersection, you will
come to the first obligatory stop: the Diego
Monea Viewpoint. From here, the Sierra de las
Cabras, El Puerto de las Pedrizas, El Pico
Chamizo (Chamizo Peak), the Montes de
Málaga, El Puerto del Barco, Villanueva de la
Concepción, Málaga, the Sierra de Mijas and El
Peñón del Fraile (El Fraile Rock) can all be seen.
Continuing on along the highway to El Torcal,
you will arrive at an area of parking lots where
you can leave your vehicle before setting out on
one of the various routes through the natural
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TOURIST BOARD &
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area. However, one should indeed first take a
look from Las Ventanillas Viewpoint which
affords a view - from left to right - of the Sierra del
Jobo, La Maroma, Colmenar, Casabermeja, the
Montes de Málaga, Villanueva de la Concepción,
the Campanillas River, Málaga and Mijas.
The green route and the yellow route - the only
two possible routes in this natural area - start
from right beside the informative signs found in
the parking lot itself.
Undoubtedly one of the most important features
of the natural area is El Tornillo del Torcal (El
Torcal Screw), which has been declared a
CAMPING AREAS
Natural Area
.
The stone figures which can be found along this
trail have names such as the dragon, the
sphinxes, the equals, the binoculars, the dark
alleyway, the bottle, the jar, the finger, the grills,
the tobacco alleyway, the camel, the burro's hole,
to name just a few.
Natural Monument. Covering an area of 1,953
square metres, it is a good example of the type
of formations characteristic of the karstic
landscape, having originated as a result of the
differential dissolution of calcareous strata.
Because of its unique shape resembling a screw,
the monument has been adopted as the emblem
of El Torcal de Antequera Natural Area.
.
A recreational area and campground called
Hoyo de la Turca is located near this protected
area in the district of Villanueva de la
Concepción.
.
.
Natural Area
The yellow route is an extended version of the
green route. It runs along a pathway which
passes by El Hoyo de las Ventanillas (Hole of the
Windows) and then leads to El Torcal Bajo.
Mazes, passageways and a host of unusual rock
formations are home to an amazing assortment
of vegetation. This route is 5.1 kilometres long
with a medium-low difficulty level. It can be
completed in about two hours.
Torcal de Antequera
Torcal de Antequera
The green route is a footpath with free access. It
leaves directly from the parking lot and runs
through El Torcal Alto. The difficulty level of this
trail is low and it can be completed in about 45
minutes. It is the perfect route for those who wish
to enter into the otherworldly landscape of this
city of stone, to contemplate the effects of
erosion on the rock, and to experience the flora
and fauna of the area in a short time.
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Torcal de Antequera
Torcal de Antequera
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TORCAL DE ANTEQUERA NATURAL AREA
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Beginning of route
Natural Area
End of route
Suggested route
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Natural Area
Halfway point
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SIERRA DE CRESTELLINA
NATURAL AREA
Sierra Crestellina Natural Area is located
in the Baetic Cordillera and consists of a steep
crag of Jurassic limestone which rises up out of
the Triassic sandstones of the Genal Valley. The
Sierra Bermeja, with its rugged relief, its reddishcoloured peridotites, and its blue-green patches
of Spanish fir, gives way - at its western end - to
a different type of landscape, of calcareous origin:
the Sierra Crestellina massif. This natural area,
which covers 478 hectares, is like a little white
island of calcareous rock surrounded by dark
mountains and acidic soils.
Agricultural plots can still be encountered here
and they serve as feeding and reproduction sites
for the animal communities in the Sierra. One of
the traditional activities that still survive today is
goat herding.
The entire Sierra Crestellina is found within the
district Casares. It, along with the Sierra de Utrera
massif, represent the only two outcrops of
calcareous rock in the entire region, which tends
to be dominated by rock of a lead-grey colour.
Sierra Crestellina
.
Sierra Crestellina Natural Area is covered by
typical Mediterranean vegetation but features
numerous endemic oddities. The most
characteristic plant species here include the Holm
oak, hawthorn, scorpion's thorn, rock rose, wild
asparagus, buckthorn, rosemary, thyme and wild
olive. The vegetation generally consists of cork
oak forest, with Portuguese oaks occurring at
higher elevations and patches of maritime pine
appearing as an invasive species.
Natural Area
Natural Area
FLORA
.
Many caves and abysses can also be found in
Sierra Crestellina including La Cueva de la Virgen
(Cave of the Virgin), La Cueva del Almez (Almez
Cave), La Cueva del Puerto de Ronda (Puerto de
Ronda Cave), La Cueva de la Cara Sur (Southface Cave), El Abrigo del Granaíno (Granaíno
Shelter), El Abrigo del Pacis (El Pacis Shelter).
Massive rocks, clefts, and spectacular limestone
crags are also common and include Los Peñones
del Cancho de la Virgen (Cancho de la Virgen
Rocks), El Peñón de las Chapas (Las Chapas
Rock), Los Riscos de la Gozalba (La Gozalba
Cliffs) and El Peñón del Puerto de Ronda (Puerto
de Ronda Rock).
In Sierra Crestellina's catalogue of flora, plant
species appear classified according to Autonomous
Community or national standards, for example:
Atropa baetica, Rupicapnos africana, Erica arborea
and Quercus baetica.
Sierra Crestellina
Sierra de Crestellina was declared a Protected
Natural Area in 1989 and it owes its name to the
shape of the peaks of its summits - these are truly
inaccessible "crests" prized by beautiful birds-of
prey like the griffon vultures as a nesting place.
La Albarrá Stream is the main surface
watercourse in the area, though its flow
decreases significantly in summer.
Sierra Crestellina suffered a forest fire in 1984
which burned the western part of the mountain
range and some of the central part. As a result,
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there is now replanted Aleppo pine covering
much of the Sierra. In different areas, however,
interesting tree and shrub specimens managed to
survive the fire such as the Quejigo de la Fuente
del Corzo (Fuente del Corzo Portuguese Oak), a
centuries-old tree located in the north-eastern
part of the natural area, and the Encina de Pepe
Díaz (Pepe Díaz Holm Oak) - without a doubt the
oldest of the Holm oaks growing in the mountain
range (it has been calculated to be about 300
years old). It can be found in the north-eastern
zone of the natural area.
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Wildlife of interest includes the Egyptian
mongoose, the marbled newt, the Bedriagai's
skink, the wild cat, the ibex and the roe deer.
However, the highlight here is the colony of griffon
vultures, the most important in the province. The
soaring flight of these birds can be seen from any
point in the sierra. It is also worth mentioning the
abundance of birds-of-prey such as the peregrine
falcon, the common kestrel, and the Bonelli's
eagle.
HOW TO GET THERE
.
CLIMATE
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index
.
80
The only way to reach the town from the interior
is on the Ronda-Algeciras N-341 national
highway from the village of Gaucín, via the CC539 Gaucín-Manilva regional highway.
At the start of the trail you will pass a fountain
dating from the 18th century called La Fuente de
la Arquita. It is a good idea to have a drink of
water or fill your canteen here since it is the only
fountain on the entire trail. The ascent leads to
El Puerto de las Viñas (Las Viñas Pass) where a
sign is located indicating the way to the shelter,
found on the front slope of the Sierra Crestellina.
Natural Area
Mean annual temperatures are around 17
degrees Celsius with maximum average
temperatures in July and August of 24-26
degrees. Minimum average temperatures of 8-10
degrees are recorded in December and January.
Precipitation in the area generally occurs in winter
and, to a lesser extent, in autumn and spring. The
region only suffers a deficit in the hydrologic
balance during the summer months; there is an
excess of water during the rest of the year.
Another way to get to Casares is on the
Mediterranean Motorway by taking the exit to
Manilva located on the section between
Estepona and Guadiaro. After this, you should
take highway MA-539 towards Gaucín until you
arrive at an intersection; here, you should follow
the MA-528 which leads straight to the town
centre.
This route is interesting in that it offers
magnificent views of the Sierra Crestellina and
Monte del Duque. The pathway is rife with
typical Mediterranean forest vegetation
including Portuguese oaks, Holm oaks, pines,
carob trees, mastic, etc., and here you may also
witness the soaring flight of the griffon vulture.
.
Natural Area
You can also arrive via the Manilva-Gaucín MA539 local highway. Here, you will find an
intersection that allows you to take the MA-528;
this leads directly to the village after two
kilometres.
Once in Casares visitors must leave their
vehicles in the Puerto de Ronda parking lot, at
the entrance to the village. From here, you will
begin the tour on a pathway with a somewhat
irregular surface. This is the only open trail for
touring Sierra Crestellina and it is known as the
Crestellina Natural Trail or the "Ruta al Refugio
de Sierra Crestellina" (Route to the Sierra
Crestellina Shelter). The trail is eight kilometres
long and can be completed in about three hours.
The level of difficulty is low-medium up to the
shelter but it is high along the descending
section so care should be taken on this stretch.
The second is called the Cosalba Viewpoint.
From here, you can also see Los Reales de
Sierra Bermeja, the Mediterranean Sea,
Casares and some wind generators, evidence of
the strong winds common in the region of
Campo de Gibraltar.
Sierra Crestellina
Sierra Crestellina
The town centre of Casares can be reached in a
number of ways. At kilometre 146 of highway N340, there is an intersection with the Casares
local highway MA-546, which ascends for 14
kilometres until coming to the village.
CONVENTION BUREAU
From the shelter, the descent is made along a
section of path with a high difficulty level to the
highway which leads back to Casares. Shortly
after the shelter, you will see a sign indicating
that you are approaching some viewpoints, 300
metres ahead. It is worth taking a look from
these viewpoints as they afford exceptional
vistas. From the first, El Castillón Viewpoint, you
can see - from left to right - the peak of Sierra de
Casares, Sierra Crestellina, Monte del Duque,
El Puerto de las Viñas, Sierra Bermeja, La
Herriza Matagallar, the Mediterranean Sea, the
village of Casares, Sierra de la Utrera, Gibraltar,
the Genal River, Los Alcornocales Natural Park
and the Genal Valley.
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TOURIST BOARD &
Beginning and end of route
Sierra Crestellina
Sierra Crestellina
Halfway point
Suggested route
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Natural Area
Natural Area
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SIERRA CRESTELLINA NATURAL AREA
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DESFILADERO
DE LOS GAITANES
NATURAL AREA
Desfiladero de los Gaitanes (Gaitanes
Ravine) Natural Area, which covers 2,016
hectares, includes part of the municipal districts
of Álora, Antequera and Ardales and is situated in
the very centre of the province of Málaga. With
elevations which vary between 240 metres above
sea level and the 1,195 metres of elevation of the
Sierra Huma massif, this natural area amazes
visitors with its perfect juxtaposition of the two
typical landscapes here: on the one hand are the
jutting mountain peaks and, on the other, the
smoothness of the reservoirs that surround them.
Desfiladero de los Gaitanes
.
Natural Area
Natural Area
.
Clinging to the walls of the gorge of El Desfiladero
is the seven-kilometre long "Caminito del Rey"
.
84
Opening up around the ravine is Desfiladero de
los Gaitanes Natural Area, which also features
impressive rock forms of varying origins and
.
The centre-point of this natural area is the
Desfiladero de los Gaitanes itself. This is another
of Nature's quirks resulting in the place where the
Guadalhorce River merges with the Baetic
Cordillera to form the narrow gorge known as El
Chorro (The Torrent) or El Desfiladero de los
Gaitanes. More than five kilometres long and with
spectacular steep sidewalls reaching up to 400
metres high, the gorge forms a tight passageway;
the water of the river surges through it, carrying
everything in its path. El Desfiladero de los
Gaitanes was designated as an Exceptional Area
in the province of Málaga's Catalogue of
Protected Spaces and Goods in 1987. The
Autonomous Government of Andalusia
subsequently classified it as a Natural Area, in
1989.
This protected area takes in the Sierra de Huma,
Sierra de la Pizarra and the Gaitanes cliff and
ravine. These are made up of a series of stratified
calcareous rocks which give rise to spectacular
landforms.
(The King's Road). Currently closed to the public,
this impressive pathway hanging halfway
between the earth and the sky was constructed at
the beginning of the past century to allow railway
workers to access the railroad being built inside
the gorge. What was initially a service road went
on to be called "The King's Road" after Alfonso
XIII walked the length of the path on the 21st of
May 1921 in order to inaugurate work on the
railroad.
But when referring to Desfiladero de los
Gaitanes, the dams and reservoirs which
surround it must not be overlooked. These were
built to supply the city of Málaga with water, to
irrigate the area of the lower Guadalhorce, and to
produce electricity. These reservoirs make up the
other great, flat landscape of this natural area.
Although strictly speaking the natural area only
includes the Embalse del Gaitanejo (El Gaitanejo
Reservoir), it is impossible to understand the
complexity and the dynamic of the area without
considering the system of reservoirs that delimit
it; these include the reservoirs of El Conde del
Guadalhorce (Count of Guadalhorce),
Guadalteba, Guadalhorce and Tajo de la
Encantada (La Encantada Cleft). These together
constitute one of the most important hydraulic
complexes in Andalusia.
CONVENTION BUREAU
geological ages. It also boasts colourful
reservoirs adorned with yellowish sandstone,
which has been sculpted by water and time to
leave a pattern of rounded and harmonious
structures worthy of contemplation.
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The plant species most characteristic of these
protected areas are the Aleppo pine, Pinus
halepensis; stone pine, Pinus pinea; Holm oak,
Quercus rotundifolia; river redgum, Eucalyptus
camaldulensis; hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna;
Mediterranean gorse, Ulex parviflorus; whiteleaved rock rose, Cistus albidus; rock rose,
Cistus crispus; and the Phoenician juniper,
Juniperus phoenicea.
A population of ibex, Capra pyrenaica hispanica,
can be found living in the higher reaches of this
unique gorge. The golden eagle, Aquila
chrysaetos; the lesser kestrel, Falco naumanii;
the common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus; and the
northern goshawk, Accipiter gentiles, can all be
observed soaring through the skies of the natural
area. The griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus, builds its
nests in the highest elevation zones of the natural
area.
The landscape around Álora is ideal for trekking
and climbing. The limestone mountains of Sierra
de Huma are characterised by rugged landforms,
steep slopes, walls of solid rock and substantial
elevational gradients - all features which are dear
to the hearts of lovers of climbing, trekking,
cycling, hang-gliding, etc.
Upon entering this town, you will come to a traffic
light indicating an intersection. The left-hand turn
leads towards the town centre and the town hall.
You should take the road to the right, marked as
the El Chorro highway (MA-444).
At about 12 kilometres down this road - and once
past the neighborhood of El Chorro, the train
station, and the Tajo de la Encantada Reservoir you will find yourself in front of El Desfiladero de
los Gaitanes. This is the first indispensable stop.
Here you can fully appreciate this natural wonder
which is over five kilometres long and has gorge
walls up to 400 metres high. From this point, the
Caminito del Rey - currently closed to the public -
built in the 9th century. The most interesting
feature of this site is the Mozarabic cave-church
which boasts a unique combination of Christian
and Moorish structural elements. The church was
carved out of the rock and, like a typical Christian
shrine, has the floor-plan of a basilica with three
naves separated by horseshoe arches.
Continuing the tour along the Granadillo Stream,
you can observe some curious sandstone
formations called "taffonis"; they consist of
rounded sandstone outcroppings in which the
processes of erosion have carved out a cave or a
shelter.
HOW TO GET THERE
can also be seen. As you continue ascending the
highway with the border of the natural area on
your right, you will pass the shrine of Nuestra
Señora de Villaverde and, a little further ahead on
the left, the sign and the road leading to Las
Ruinas de Bobastro (the Bobastro Ruins).
Natural Area
The Autonomous Government of Andalusia has
set up a network of trails and a viewpoint - El
Mirador de los Embalses (Viewpoint of the
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86
Natural Area
The Mesas de Villaverde archaeological find,
better known as "Las Ruinas de Bobastro", is according to widespread opinion - the place
where the population centre which served as
Umar ibn Hafsun's general barracks in his
confrontations with the Caliphate of Córdoba was
You should continue along the A-444 until you
come to another crossroads, El Puerto de las
Atalayas. The road to the left leads to the village
of Ardales; you must take the right-hand turn in
order to get to the reservoirs and the Poblado del
Pantano (Reservoir Village). Halfway along this
road, you will see, on the right, the first marked
trail. This is the Gaitanejo Trail; it is 5.1 kilometres
long and takes about two hours to complete.
.
.
From the city of Málaga, you must take highway
A-357 and then continue along the A-343. First
you will bypass Pizarra and then, after six
FAUNA
kilometres, you will arrive in Álora, although it is
also possible to arrive via Ardales. Here, the route
that should be taken when leaving from the first of
these villages - Álora - will be described.
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FLORA
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TOURIST BOARD &
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well-shaped, lighter-coloured limestone. And, at
the point where the forest path becomes a sandy
roadway, you can enjoy a fascinating walk along
the edge of the Gaitanejo Reservoir. Here you will
see - more on the opposite bank than on your
side - what just might be the best shoreline forest
in the province.
Two other walking trails in this natural area are
the Haza del Río Trail and the Sierra de la Huma
Trail.
Whether you decide to take a tour along this trail
or not, you should, afterwards, continue along the
main road until arriving at Poblado del Pantano.
Here, you will be surrounded by the reservoirs of
Conde de Guadalhorce, Guadalteba and
Guadalhorce.
.
Three villages are located in El Desfiladero de los
Gaitanes Natural Area: Ardales, Álora and
Antequera. You should begin your tour in the
village of Ardales, which is reached by retracing
your steps from the Poblado del Pantano to El
Puerto de las Atalayas. Here, you will come to the
intersection that leads back to the village of
Ardales.
You can also easily distinguish the area of contact
between the reddish-yellow sandstone and the
You should leave Ardales on the A-357 in the
direction of Pizarra, a village which is reached 16
kilometres along this road, after passing Zalea.
From this town, you must follow the A-343 for
seven kilometres until reaching Álora.
Natural Area
Reservoirs) - for visitors, making it possible to get
the most out of a visit to this special area. You can
enter into the very heart of the natural area
surrounded by European fan palms, Holm oaks,
Spanish junipers, pines and screw-bean
mesquite and along pathways which were once
the sole domain of Mozarabic "bandit-heroes",
more than a thousand years ago.
.
The third and final stop on the tour is Antequera,
which you will come to after driving for 36
kilometres along the A-343
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.
Natural Area
ROUTE THROUGH ÁLORA, ANTEQUERA AND
ARDALES
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DESFILADERO DE LOS GAITANES
NATURAL AREA
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Beginning of route
Natural Area
Natural Area
Halfway point
End of route
Suggested route
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TORNILLO DEL TORCAL
NATURAL MONUMENT
El Tornillo del Torcal (El Torcal Screw),
which covers an area of 1,953 square metres,
was designated as a Natural Monument in 2001.
Due to its curious shape resembling a screw, it
has become the emblem of the Torcal de
Antequera Natural Area in which it is found.
El Tornillo del Torcal Natural Monument is an
example of the formations characteristic of karstic
landscapes, brought about by the differential
dissolution and disaggregation of calcareous
strata in combination with the processes of
erosion. It is a formation which is quite typical of
those found in this natural area - considered to be
the best location in all of Europe for the study of
karstic formations and processes.
.
Tornillo del Torcal
.
Tornillo del Torcal
Situated in the heart of the Antequera plain, El
Torcal de Antequera looks like a greyish-coloured
city of stone. Visitors can lose themselves in the
impressive labyrinth of stone blocks,
passageways, and dead-end streets that make
up the monument. Mother Nature seems to have
moulded these stones on a whim - as though she
were making a sculpture - leaving the rock in the
shape of animals, people, screws, binoculars,
religious articles, etc. And all this is surrounded by
a silence broken only by the voices of visitors or
the noises of nature itself.
Natural Monument
Natural Monument
El Torcal de Antequera is the most impressive
example of karstic landscape (calcareous
landscape) not just in Spain, but in all of Europe.
The monument - including the adjoining Sierra
Pelada - covers an area of about 20 square
kilometres, although the area of protected land is
1,171 hectares. It was declared a Natural Site of
National Interest in 1929 and was subsequently
reclassified as a Natural Park in 1978. It is
currently classified as a Natural Area.
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FAUNA
The diversity of flora in El Torcal de Antequera is
quite impressive as at least 664 different species
of plants have been catalogued here counting
lichens, bryophytes, pteridophytes, and
spermatophytes. Of greatest importance from a
botanical standpoint are the plant communities
composed of rupicolous (rock-dwelling)
vegetation - which moulds itself to the fissures
and cracks in the rock - found in the natural area.
Holm oaks, Portuguese oaks, mountain ash, and
maples can also be found here, along with
honeysuckles, shrubs and forest-edge species.
Of special interest, however, is the ivy, which
grows in great abundance in El Torcal Alto. It
takes on a wide range of beautiful forms in order
to adapt itself to the rock.
The fauna here includes 116 vertebrate
species counting all the amphibians, reptiles,
birds and mammals found within the natural
area. A great number of invertebrates are also
present here with the majority of them being
insects.
One of the most important aspects of El
Torcal's wildlife diversity is its wide variety of
bird species. This has lead to the Sierra's being
declared a Special Bird Protection Area
(SBPA). Here, bird-lovers can observe golden
eagles, peregrine falcons, and Bonelli's eagles,
as well as griffon vultures.
Other bird species of interest in El Torcal
include the black wheatear and the black-eared
wheatear, the Eurasian eagle owl, the little owl,
the common kestrel, the Eurasian crag martin,
the red-billed chough and many different
smaller birds (the blue tit, the great tit, the
European goldfinch, the lesser whitethroat, the
crested lark and the thekla lark, the black
redstart, the blue rock thrush, the rock bunting,
etc.).
Tornillo del Torcal
Tornillo del Torcal
An abundance of water is certainly necessary for
the tedious process of erosion. Of the 12 springs
found here, the most important is the Villa Spring.
It maintains its ample flow of water even in the
middle of summer and supplies water to
Antequera - the principal town in the area.
FLORA
CONVENTION BUREAU
El Torcal is made up of three kinds of calcareous
rock: oolitics, breccias, and clastics. All of these
had their origins on the sea floor during the
Jurassic Period and were then pushed to the
surface by the process of mountain folding.
Despite having been raised more than 1,000
metres above the water surface level, the rock
has retained its horizontal orientation to a large
degree. The earth's erosive processes have
carved out numerous fissures, passages, and
rocks of many shapes which today make El Torcal
de Antequera a living museum, surrounded by
nature in all her glory.
Natural Monument
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Natural Monument
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In El Torcal, reptiles can often be seen in
springtime and summer. These include such
species as the ocellated lizard, the large
psammodromus, the Spanish lizard, the ladder
snake, the Montpellier snake and the snubnosed viper, whose venomous bite is quite
dangerous.
Mammal species in the area include ibexes easily visible here if one takes care not to
frighten them - voles, foxes, badgers, weasels
and rabbits.
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TOURIST BOARD &
El Torcal de Antequera has a mid-elevation, semihumid Mediterranean climate with three months
of winter and annual precipitation levels of
around 1,000 mm. The summer months are
heavily influenced by drought conditions.
HOW TO GET THERE
highway N-331 (A-45) towards Antequera. After
entering the area of the Antequera plain, you
should turn onto the A-354; this takes you to the
town centre of Antequera after little more than two
kilometres. In Antequera, you should look for La
Puerta de Estepa; here, signs can be found
indicating the road to El Torcal on the C-3310
regional highway in the direction of Villanueva de
la Concepción. 12 kilometres further on, after
traversing the "La Boca del Asno" (Donkey's
Mouth) pass (anticlinal termination of the
structure of El Torcal), you will come to the
crossroads which leads to El Torcal. Right at this
intersection, there is a small building with a sign
reading "Punto de Información" (Information
Point); this is a good place to stop and ask for
more detailed information before visiting the area.
CONVENTION BUREAU
CLIMATE
About halfway from the intersection, you will
come to the first obligatory stop: the Diego Monea
Viewpoint. From here, the Sierra de las Cabras,
El Puerto de las Pedrizas, El Pico Chamizo
(Chamizo Peak), the Montes de Málaga, El
Puerto del Barco, Villanueva de la Concepción,
Málaga, the Sierra de Mijas and El Peñón del
Fraile (El Fraile Rock) can all be seen.
Tornillo del Torcal
Tornillo del Torcal
Continuing a little further along this road, you will
encounter a small building with antennas on the
right-hand side. You can leave your vehicle here
since the path leading to El Tornillo del Torcal
Natural Monument is located about 25 metres
away on the left-hand side. The monument is to
be found about 150 metres along this path
although it is already visible from the parking
area.
Natural Monument
.
Natural Monument
.
Once you have had a good look at El Tornillo del
Torcal, you can continue along the same road
until you reach an area of parking lots. Here, you
can leave your vehicle before setting out on one
of the various routes through the Torcal de
Antequera Natural Area. However, one should
indeed first take a look from Las Ventanillas
Viewpoint which affords a view - from left to right
- of the Sierra del Jobo, La Maroma, Colmenar,
Casabermeja, the Montes de Málaga, Villanueva
de la Concepción, the Campanillas River, Málaga
and Miijas.
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TOURIST BOARD &
Tornillo del Torcal
Tornillo del Torcal
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Natural Monument
Beginning of route
Halfway point
End of route
Suggested route
Natural Monument
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TORNILLO DEL TORCAL NATURAL
MONUMENT
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TOURIST BOARD &
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CAÑÓN DE LAS BUITRERAS
NATURAL MONUMENT
Cañón de Buitreras (Buitreras Canyon)
Natural Monument is a spectacular, narrow gorge
more than 100 metres deep. It represents an
impressive fluviokarstic formation which has been
carved out by the erosive action of the Guadiaro
River as it passes over the calcareous and
limestone-marl rocks found between the Sierra
de Grazalema and the Sierra de Ronda. This
natural monument, which covers an area of
218,766 square metres, runs through the
municipal districts of Cortes de la Frontera,
Benalauría and Benarrabá and has its origins in
the Jurassic Period, between 200 and 150 million
years ago.
Cañón de las Buitreras
Natural Monument
The town which best serves as a reference point
for accessing the area is El Colmenar, also known
as Estación de Gaucín. This is a small village of
about 700 inhabitants located two kilometres from
Cañón de Buitreras in the direction of Cortes de
la Frontera.
To reach the area from Málaga by car, the best is
to take the AP-7 (N-340) motorway - which runs
along the Costa del Sol - until reaching the town
of Sabinillas. Here, you must take highway A-377
in the direction of Manilva-Casares until reaching
Gaucín. From Gaucín you should take the A-369
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To descend through a canyon is to experience
nature in all its splendour. Canyoning combines
techniques from mountaineering and spelunking,
but here, the water is a critical factor. When the
Natural Monument
The geological diversity of this area is
complemented by its biological richness - equally
worthy of respect given that the surrounding area
boasts a thermo-Mediterranean Holm oak forest
featuring such species as juniper, Juniperus sp.;
mastic, Pistacia lentiscus; Holm oak, Quercus
rotundifolia; along with other important species
like the European fan palm, Chamaerops humilis,
which stands out due to its grandiose aspect.
HOW TO GET THERE
At this point, you will begin to see several rather
narrow tunnels which connect directly to the
entrance to the canyon; however, going through
them is dangerous and is also prohibited. There
are several places from which the canyon can be
accessed in order to start the descent (one of
them is a trail which runs parallel to the river,
another is reached after climbing to the top of the
mountain through which the tunnels pass, etc.). In
any case, the guide accompanying you will
decide which is the best way to access the gorge
depending on the water level in the river and the
physical condition of the people in the group.
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FLORA
The unique nature of the natural monument is
not, however, only the result of its scenic
beauty and its plant species, but also because
of the colony of griffon vultures, Gyps fulvus,
which nest in its vicinity.
for about two kilometres after which you must turn
off onto highway MA-512 towards El Colmenar.
The entrance to Cañón de Buitreras is found
between this village and Cortes de la Frontera.
The awe-inspiring walls of the Garganta de
Buitreras gorge are nearly vertical and are up to
200 metres high in some places. In addition to its
scenic beauty and its natural importance - for
which it was declared a natural monument in
2003 - it is also worth noting that it forms part of
Los Alcornocales Natural Park, a protected area
located in the provinces of Málaga y Cádiz.
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TOURIST BOARD &
The so-called "Puente de los Alemanes" (Bridge
of the Germans) marks the spot where the walls
of the canyon become higher and where the
difficulty level tends to increase. The bridge
derives its name from the fact that its construction
was attributed to a German. It is used to divert
.
ROUTES THROUGH THE VILLAGES OF THE
GENAL AND THE GUADIARO
Cañón de Buitreras Natural Monument runs
through the municipal districts of Cortes de la
Frontera, Benalauría and Benarrabá. Thus,
once you have finished visiting the monument and while you are still wondering at its amazing
scenic beauty - you will have the opportunity to
visit these three towns and fall in love with their
rural charm.
To make this tour you must again take highway
MA-512 in the direction of El Colmenar, which
you should descend until you pass to the village
of Gaucín on the right and come to the A-369 in
Another option would be to go from El Colmenar
to Cortes de la Frontera on the MA-512 and
connect with the A-373, but this route is longer
and the road is in worse condition.
You should leave the village of Benarrabá on the
MA-357 and connect onto the A-369 shortly
thereafter. This road will take you past Algatocín
and on to Benalauría, the second destination on
this tour, which you will access after taking
highway MA-535. The section from Benarrabá to
Benalauría is about 11 kilometres long.
After leaving the main road - the A-369 - and
turning off onto the road that leads to Benalauría
(MA-535), you may get the feeling that you have
taken the wrong way; there is nothing to indicate
that you are approaching a village until it
suddenly appears in front of you, without any
previous country houses to announce its
presence.
Natural Monument
El Cañón de Garganta de Buitreras is not
especially difficult but, as always, one should take
the basic precautionary measures. The best part
about this sport is that it allows you to enjoy the
scenery and physical activity in equal measure. If
you have reached the canyon after the first of the
long tunnels which you saw from the road, it will
be necessary to swim during the first stretch so it
is a good idea to have a neoprene suit handy if
you are not already wearing one.
The prevailing climate in this part of the Costa del
Sol is not an obstacle for the practice of
canyoning. One should, nevertheless, pay special
attention to rainfall since it can cause the water
level to rise and add unnecessary risks to the
sport.
Once you have had a well-deserved rest, you
should retrace your steps back to the highway
which runs between Benalauría and Benarrabá.
After passing Algatocín, you should take the turnoff to the left that leads to the village of Cortes de
la Frontera on the A-373. This village is situated
in the western-most extreme of the province of
Málaga, in the Serranía de Ronda and bordering
the province of Cádiz.
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.
Natural Monument
water level is low, this sport can be practised in
conjunction with walks along the river itself but,
when the river rises, it can become a real whitewater activity.
the direction of Benarrabá. Shortly before
reaching Benarrabá, you will connect with the
MA-537 which will take you right into the village.
From El Colmenar to Benarrabá is about 15.5
kilometres and takes about 15 minutes.
102
This route is a combination of rather open
chambers - into which light enters almost directly
- and other, darker sections for which a headlamp
really comes in handy. During the trip, you will
have a chance to rappel, swim across some of
the pools, and even jump from some of the higher
points down to lower sections of the canyon. The
spectacular views here can be appreciated from a
small mountain called El Cerro del Oso (El Oso
Hill).
CONVENTION BUREAU
water to an electrical station three kilometres
downstream, quite near the small village of El
Colmenar, which uses it to generate electricity.
Looking down from the bridge can cause vertigo
as the vertical drop here is hair-raising; the most
daring lower themselves from it until reaching the
bottom.
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TOURIST BOARD &
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Beginning of route
Halfway point
Natural Monument
End of route
Suggested route 1
Suggested route 2
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Natural Monument
CONVENTION BUREAU
CAÑÓN DE LAS BUITRERAS NATURAL MONUMENT
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TOURIST BOARD &
In the northern part of the province of
Málaga - in the district of Cuevas de San Marcos
- La Falla de la Sierra del Camorro (Sierra del
Camorro Fault) can be found. It covers 1,086,057
square metres and was declared a Natural
Monument in 1999.
Human occupation of the Belda Cave dates back
to the Palaeolithic Era. This cave is of great
interest, not only from a geological standpoint, but
also from an archaeological and a biological one.
Under Roman rule, Belda was one of the richest
cities in Hispania Baetica.
The prehistoric remains which have been found
here are of extraordinary importance but perhaps
the "star" of the find is an eyed statue a mere
seven centimetres tall, carved from the phalanx
bone of an undetermined species of animal.
Remains left by the people who inhabited the area
during the Moorish period of the 13th and 14th
Centuries have also been found on the top of
Cerro del Camorro (Camorro Hill). These include
the floors of rooms, sections of stuccoed walls,
ceramic shards and part of the foundations of a
castle.
Other points of interest for the visitor are the
archaeological remains which exist outside of the
caves. There is a small archaeological site near
the Belda Cave and another larger one
corresponding to the location of the ancient
Medina Belda, situated on top of the summit on the
western part of the sierra.
Access to the area is by way of a metal staircase
which ascends a steep slope. Once past this
section, the slope becomes more gradual and the
trail leads to the remains of the settlement and to
a cistern, found almost at the very summit.
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106
Natural Monument
Natural Monument
Currently the entrance to the Belda Cave is closed
and a project is now being developed to open only
the first chamber - that which was utilised most by
the cave's prehistoric inhabitants - to public visiting.
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Archaeological remains have been found from
this era with highlights being a bronze coffin,
amphoras and coins dating from the time of the
Late Roman Empire. In the entrance of the cave which is situated on the north-facing slope of the
Sierra del Camorro - there is a series of steps cut
from the stone. A tall, narrow corridor leads to the
first chamber, where the most interesting finds
have been made.
Falla de la Sierra del Camorro
The Camorro massif, whose highest peak is
Cuevas Altas (907 metres above sea level), is
formed of nodular limestone and limestone-marl
rock dating from the Lower and Middle Jurassic.
Time and the processes of weathering on the
calcareous rock have sculpted a spectacular
landscape featuring slopes with vertical - or nearvertical - banks.
Throughout the rocky massif, numerous cavities
and hollows have appeared, giving rise to caves
and underground passages with stalactites and
stalagmites. Rainwater seeps into the caverns
through cracks in the massive limestone,
sometimes accumulating in puddles or lakes
inside the caves, as is the case with the Cueva de
Belda (Belda Cave).
CONVENTION BUREAU
FALLA DE LA SIERRA
DEL CAMORRO
NATURAL MONUMENT
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TOURIST BOARD &
On the lower slopes of the Sierra del Camorro at the start of the area included in the natural
monument - the presence of replanted Aleppo
pine is the most notable aspect of the
vegetation. The understorey is rather limited
and is made up of species like scorpion's thorn,
terebinth and buck-thorn, along with
herbaceous species such as orchids.
There are also isolated examples of Holm oak
to be seen in the area, a testimony to the Holm
oak forest which once existed here.
near the sports centre - the access road for La
Falla de la Sierra del Camorro Natural Monument
is located.
La Falla de la Sierra del Camorro features a
number of characteristics which make it highly
valuable for educational purposes and research.
The future Archaeological Museum and Nature
Centre - which will also serve as a Nature
Interpretive Centre and information point for the
monument - is currently being built on the borders
of the natural monument.
In this area - near the football pitch - a parking lot
is also planned since, from this point on, tours of
the monument are to be continued on foot. Within
the area designated as a natural monument,
there is an existing trail which leads to the Belda
Cave and to the Medina Belda archaeological
site.
CONVENTION BUREAU
FLORA
Wildlife species found here include foxes, rabbits,
hares, and partridges. Notable bird species in the
area include the Eurasian eagle owl and the
Bonelli's eagle, although griffon vultures may also
be observed soaring above the mountain peaks.
However, the most important aspect of the area in
terms of wildlife is that it constitutes an important
refuge for bats, who make use of the caves and
cavities of the karst landscape. Invertebrate
species such as arachnids, crustaceans,
coleopteras and myriapods have also been
catalogued inside the caves.
.
HOW TO GET THERE
From the city of Málaga, you must take the A-45
(N-331) in the direction of Antequera. Before
entering this town, the road connects with the A92. After three kilometres you should again take
the N-331 (no longer a motorway) towards
Lucena. Right at the border of the province of
Córdoba it is necessary to take the A-6212. Eight
kilometres along this road - after passing through
Cuevas Bajas and on the outskirts of this town
Natural Monument
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Natural Monument
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FAUNA
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TOURIST BOARD &
CONVENTION BUREAU
FALLA DE LA SIERRA DEL CAMORRO NATURAL
MONUMENT
Beginning of route
End of route
Natural Monument
Natural Monument
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Suggested route
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TOURIST BOARD &
Terrestrial vegetation
The predominant vegetative cover in Acantilados
de Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Area is
Mediterranean shrubland intermixed with a few
remnant forests and stands of Aleppo pine.
Agricultural crops typical of the area are also
present on the cliff terraces. The species which
make up the shrubland include mastic, Kermes
oak, common juniper, carob tree, wild olive and
the European fan palm.
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DESEMBOCADURA DEL
GUADALHORCE (MOUTH OF
THE GUADALHORCE)
NATURAL AREA
The natural area is a narrow strip 12 kilometres
long paralleling the coastline. It is limited to the
north by highway N-340 and extends one mile out
into the sea of Alborán. The natural area consists
of 395 hectares of land and 1,415 hectares of
sea, in total. The United Nations has declared this
natural area a Special Protected Area of
Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIS) due to its
significance for the Mediterranean basin.
Another unique and attractive aspect of this
natural area is the presence of common box - a
species which forms a forest worthy of admiration
in El Cañuelo. This species is one of the botanical
treasures of the natural area, as is the shrubby
germander; this is the only place in the world
where both species occur together. It is also
worth highlighting the existence here of the rare
romero marino (Campylanthus salsoloides) and
of the rock samphire, endemic to Málaga.
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Natural Area
DUNAS DE ARTOLA O
CABOPINO (ARTOLA OR
CABOPINO DUNES)
NATURAL MONUMENT
Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo (MaroCerro Gordo Cliffs) Natural Area is situated in the
heart of the sea of Alborán and stretches from the
Torre de Maro (Maro Tower) in Nerja (Málaga) to
the cove called "Calaiza", just past Cerro Gordo
in Almuñécar (Granada). The spectacular
scenery of this whim of Mother Nature is the
result of the Sierra Almijara's perfect fusion with
the sea. An awe-inspiring landscape has arisen
with rocky seashores and sheer cliffs - often
topped with surprising flats and terraces and
reaching heights of nearly 100 metres above sea
level in some areas. In the midst of all this are
small beaches and tiny coves which, due to their
inaccessibility, have remained nearly pristine
natural areas.
.
Natural Area
ACANTILADOS DE
MARO-CERRO (MAROCERRO GORDO CLIFFS)
GORDO NATURAL AREA
In a province like Málaga, where the
Mediterranean dominates a great deal of the
horizon, it is not surprising that the sea plays an
important role in defining the protected natural
spaces. Thus, the visitor will encounter - in the
very heart of the municipal district of the capital of
the Costa del Sol - La Desembocadura del
Guadalhorce (Mouth of the Guadalhorce), formed
by the arms of the river of the same name and by
an artificial lagoon complex. Meanwhile, a little
over 50 kilometres away, on the eastern end of
the coast of Málaga, Los Acantilados de MaroCerro Gordo (The Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs) are
waiting to amaze. Both places have been
designated as Natural Areas and are the best
testimony to the enigmatic relationship between
the land and the sea here. This strange
communion can also be witnessed by the visitor if
his itinerary includes the western part of the coast
of Málaga, where the Dunas de Artola o Cabopino
(Artola or Cabopino Dunes) are found, in the
municipal district of Marbella. This is a network of
fossil and mobile dunes whose ecological
uniqueness led to their recognition as a Natural
Monument.
It is also important to note that the aridity of the
region, in conjunction with its proximity of the sea,
creates a semiarid microclimate which favours
the intrusion of other species such as buckthorn,
cambrón (Lycium intrincatum), and arto
(Maytenus senegalensis).
Acantilados de Maro-C
Cerro Gordo
Cerro Gordo
r
5 OUTE OF THE COASTAL
NATURAL AREAS AND
MONUMENTS: WHERE
LAND AND SEA MEET
ACANTILADOS DE
MARO- CERRO GORDO
NATURAL AREA
CONVENTION BUREAU
FLORA
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TOURIST BOARD &
CONVENTION BUREAU
Marine vegetation
.
Terrestrial fauna
Invertebrates inhabiting the natural area include
sponges, corals, anemones, echinoderms and
molluscs. Of special importance among these are
the limpet, the fan mussel and the orange starcoral (Astroides calycularis), all species which are
included on the National Endangered Species
List. In terms of crustaceans, the area supports
important populations of shrimp, spider-crabs and
lobster.
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index
Sea turtles such as the loggerhead and marine
mammals including common dolphins, striped
dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, can also be
observed in the natural area.
CULTURAL ASPECTS
Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Area
also boasts a great cultural heritage and features
various important historical buildings - among
them, the five beacon towers situated at strategic
points along the cliffs.
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With respect to fish species, gilthead bream,
annular seabream, Mediterranean boques,
striped seabream, sea bass, bullheads,
Mediterranean parrotfish, conger eels, moray
eels, scorpionfish, ocean sunfish and groupers
are all abundant here. These waters are also
home to such colourful species as the
Mediterranean rainbow wrasse, the oscar, the
cardinal fish and the swallowtail sea perch.
Natural Area
The existence of marine phanerogamae
"grasslands" on the sandy stretches of sea-floor
is of special interest in the underwater zone.
These are composed of Zoostera marina - whose
distribution zone is the Atlantic Ocean and which
is rarely found past the sea of Alborán - and of
Posidonia oceanica, a species endemic to the
Mediterranean Sea, where it forms seagrass
beds considered to be climax habitats.
Marine bird-life abounds in Acantilados de MaroCerro Gordo Natural Area and includes such
species as the black-headed gull and the lesser
black-backed gull. Various species of raptors also
inhabit the natural area including the lesser
kestrel, the peregrine falcon, the goshawk and
the sparrowhawk. Reptiles of interest here
include the ocellated lizard and the common
chameleon. The presence of ibex on the sea-cliffs
is also certainly remarkable as it is quite curious
to see herds of these mammals in a coastal
location. The common toad, the Spanish lizard,
the snub-nosed viper, the Iberian mole, foxes and
bats are also commonly seen in the natural area.
Marine fauna
.
Natural Area
FAUNA
Cerro Gordo
Cerro Gordo
Undoubtedly the greatest jewels of this natural
area are hidden beneath the waves of the sea of
Alborán. In the mile-wide strip of protected marine
area here, a wide range of Atlantic and
Mediterranean biological communities are
represented. The biological diversity in the natural
area's underwater zone is greatly augmented by
the diversity of habitats resulting from sea-floors
of sand, rock, and marine phanerogamae
"grasslands" in conjunction with the free-flowing
currents and, of course, the stratigraphic zoning
typical of marine ecosystems. Each distinct
habitat gives rise to its own characteristic
biological community.
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The Sierra de Almijara is situated in a region with
a predominately temperate climate, influenced by
the Mediterranean Sea. It is characterised by a
dry season - during which there is virtually no
rainfall and maximum annual temperatures are
recorded (spring-summer) - and a rainy season,
characterised by torrential rains, the absence of
snow, and during which annual minimum
temperatures are reached (autumn-winter).
HOW TO GET THERE
Sights on land
The natural park and its surroundings feature areas
of terraced agricultural crops, forest, and
Mediterranean shrubland. There are many sites of
exceptional natural importance including La Cueva
de Nerja (Nerja Cave), El Cañuelo Beach, El Molino
de Papel (the Paper Mill), El Peñón del Fraile (El
Fraile Rock), El Cerro de la Caleta (La Caleta Hill),
El Cerro Gordo (Gordo Hill), Cantarriján Beach, the
forest found between Cañuelo and Cantarriján, La
Cueva de los Gigantes (Cave of the Giants), La
Cueva de los Genoveses (Los Genoveses Cave),
La Punta de la Mona (La Mona Point) and El Peñón
del Lobo (Lobo Rock). The numerous viewpoints
offering spectacular vistas of the cliffs are also not
to be missed.
When touring this natural area, one should
indeed make sure to visit La Torre de Maro, which
can be reached from kilometre 297 just past the
town of Maro on highway N-340. El Bosque de El
Cañuelo (El Cañuelo Forest) is another must-see
in the natural area. The most interesting aspect of
the forest here is its abundance of box, a bushy
shrub which, apart from here, is only found in
residual populations in some areas of the islands
of Majorca and Sardinia, as well as in North
Africa. The shade provided by the cliff here is
favourable to its growth in this forest.
Just as important as these first two visits is a
climb to the top of the Cerro Gordo beacon tower,
which can also be accessed by taking the "Cerro
Gordo" exit from the N-340, found just past the
exit to Cantarriján.
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Natural Area
When setting out from the capital of the Costa del
Sol, you must take the A-7 (N-340)
Mediterranean Motorway which leads directly to
La Torre de Maro (Maro Tower) in Nerja - the
starting point for visiting this natural area. La
Torre de Maro is located about six kilometres from
Nerja's town centre.
SIGHTS IN ACANTILADOS DE MARO-CERRO
GORDO NATURAL AREA
.
Natural Area
CLIMATE
Cerro Gordo
Cerro Gordo
One of the natural area's notable monuments is
the Acueducto del Águila (El Águila Aqueduct),
located above the Barranco de la Coladilla or "de
los Cazadores" (Coladilla or "Hunters'" Ravine) in
Maro.
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TOURIST BOARD &
A visit to Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo does
not necessarily have to be undertaken exclusively
by road since - as previously mentioned - the
natural area consists of a narrow, 12-kilometrelong strip paralleling the coastline and it stretches
one mile out into the sea of Alborán.
Cerro Gordo
.
Visitors who have made the trip to Acantilados de
Maro-Cerro Gordo cannot leave the area without
first visiting the town of Nerja, which can be
reached from Málaga on the A-7 (N-340)
Mediterranean Motorway.
After visiting Nerja, you can take your vehicle and
head to the village of Maro. Maro is located near
the Nerja Cave. It is named after a whitish plant,
a reference to the whitewashed façades of the
houses of the town. The village is a good example
of the popular architecture of towns found along
the Mediterranean coast.
Natural Area
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Natural Area
THE CLIFFS FROM THE SEA
FROM NERJA TO MARO
.
There are many possible underwater tours but we
would especially recommend La Pared de
Calaiza (the Calaiza Wall), La Cueva del Sifón
(the Siphon Cave), La Pared Amarilla (the Yellow
Wall), La Cueva de las Palomas (the Cave of the
Doves), Los Ceriantus (the Cerianthus), Los
Candelabros (the Candelabras), Las Cuevas de
Cantarriján (the Cantarriján Caves), Los
Pasadizos (the Passageways), Los Estratos (the
Strata) and La Piedra del Cañuelo (Cañuelo
Rock).
You will then come upon a large rock separated
from the mainland - this is El Peñón del Fraile (El
Fraile Rock). Here, the cliffs become even higher,
evidence that you are now in the middle of the
Cerro Gordo massif. This will be a journey of
unforgettable beauty which will bring you in touch
with the world of the sea.
Cerro Gordo
This natural area is situated right in the middle of
the sea of Alborán, where the Sierra Almijara
drops away into the sea. This makes it a unique
area in terms of its marine ecosystem, since both
Mediterranean and Atlantic species co-exist here.
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Underwater sights in the natural area
A marine tour can be made by motor-boat or even
by kayak, although the tour is rather long for
those not in good physical condition. For such an
excursion you can set out from Burriana Beach which is accessed via the town of Nerja - in the
direction of Almuñécar. Along the way, visitors will
be left in awe of the scenery: majestic cliffs are
juxtaposed with tiny, nearly pristine coves and
beaches, and with a spectacular fresh-water
cascade that falls from a great height into a little
bay. Sea birds and flying fish can be seen and, in
springtime and summer, dolphins often
accompany the tour boats. The tour will take you
past El Barranco de Maro (Maro Ravine), Molino
del Papel Beach, Las Alberquillas Beach, Las
Calas del Pino (Coves of the Pine) and El
Cañuelo Beach.
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Cerro Gordo
End of route
Suggested route
Natural Area
Natural Area
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Cerro Gordo
Beginning of route
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ACANTILADOS DE MARO-CERRO GORDO
NATURAL AREA
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TOURIST BOARD &
HOW TO GET THERE
More than 250 species of birds have been
described in the area. This great diversity is due
to its proximity to the sea and the fact that it is
located on the north-south migratory routes.
Some of the more interesting species found here
include the grey heron, the egret, the cattle egret,
the black-crowned night heron, the common
shelduck, the little grebe, the courser, the
Audouin's gull, the osprey, the black stork and
the common kingfisher.
Thanks to its proximity to the city of Málaga,
access to Desembocadura del Guadalhorce
Natural Area is fast and easy. When leaving from
the city of Málaga you should take the A-45 (N340). After about seven kilometres, you will see
the exit which reads "Guadalmar, Palacio de los
Deportes".
Desembocadura del Guadalhorce
FAUNA
DESEMBOCADURA
DEL GUADALHORCE
NATURAL AREA
.
The 67 hectares that make up La
Desembocadura del Guadalhorce (Mouth of the
Guadalhorce) Natural Area are located right in the
city of Málaga - a mere seven kilometres from the
city's historic centre and near residential
developments like that of Guadalmar.
.
Natural Area
The mouth of this river, which was declared a
Natural Area in 1989, consists of the moving
water of the arms of the Guadalhorce River and
the standing water in an artificial lagoon complex.
Due to its proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar, it is a
stopover and resting area for coastal migratory
birds and is thus ideal for bird watching.
Natural Area
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The vegetation here is very diverse as a result of
human intervention. Communities of both
riparian species (Tamarix sp., Populus alba), and
aquatic species (Juncus sp., Arthrocnenum sp.)
can be found here.
Mammals which can be observed in this natural
area include badgers, weasels, otters, genets
and foxes. There are also important fish,
amphibian and reptile populations which include
such species as the Mediterranean tree frog, the
chub, the Spanish terrapin, eels and
chameleons.
FLORA
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TOURIST BOARD &
Once the environmental rehabilitation of La
Desembocadura del Río Guadalhorce Natural
Area has been completed, the Cuenca
Mediterránea Andaluza (CMA) (Mediterranean
Basin of Andalusia) plans to combine it with a
project which will permit access to the lands
between the two arms of the river and down to the
seashore.
Natural Area
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Natural Area
The pathway and tour through this natural area
are currently not very well conditioned for public
use. The construction of access-ways to
Desembocadura del Guadalhorce is planned,
however, and the project will also include the
building of observatories from which visitors will
be able to view the flora and fauna of the area.
.
The first thing you will encounter upon arriving is
a viewpoint from which the mouth of the river can
be seen. Here, there is a sign explaining the
different mammal species inhabiting the natural
area. Parallel to the right arm of the river a dirt
pathway begins, which leads right down to the
beach and features two more viewpoints. One of
these is about halfway between the first viewpoint
and the beach. A sign is found here indicating the
different bird species that can be observed from
the viewpoint. The last viewpoint looks out over
the Mediterranean Sea.
If you wish to continue your walk, however, you
can go right down to the beach and lose yourself
amongst the fauna native to this river mouth
along a path which - after passing a sign from the
Autonomous Government of Andalusia - leads to
the artificial lagoon complex of standing water.
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You will come to a traffic circle which you must go
round completely in order to get to the Guadalmar
residential development. Upon entering, you will
come upon another traffic circle; this time you
must take the road to the left. On this street - after
passing the Santa María Estrella del Mar Church
on the left - you will come to a place where you
must leave your vehicle and continue on foot.
This is the right-hand edge of Desembocadura
del Guadalhorce.
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DESEMBOCADURA
DEL GUADALHORCE
NATURAL AREA
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Beginning of route
Natural Area
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Natural Area
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TOURIST BOARD &
The vegetation here is determined by the sandy
nature of the soil, its mobility, and by the salinity
of the seawater. Important species include
juniper, mastic, and stone pine (most of these are
the result of replanting and are about 80 years
old), as well as flowers such as the sea daffodil
and the famous Silene littorea.
DUNAS DE ARTOLA
O CABOPINO
NATURAL MONUMENT
Dunas de Artola o Cabopino (Artola or
Cabopino Dunes) Natural Monument is made
up of a system of fossil and mobile dunes and
serves as a natural stronghold in an area which
has undergone such radical changes - both in
terms of tourist activity as well as urban
development - as has the coast of Marbella.
The most characteristic species here are
European beachgrass, Ammophylla arenaria; sea
holly, Eryngium maritimun; and graminea,
Agropyron junceum. In areas closer to the shore,
the sea daffodil, Pancratium maritimum, is
common.
Dunas de Artola o Cabopino
Also of interest in Dunas de Artola is La Torre
Almenara (the Beacon Tower) or Torre de los
Ladrones (Thieves' Tower), which has been
declared a Cultural Interest Site. It is the highest
beacon tower on the coast of Málaga and was
used by Christians and Moors to guard the
coast against possible sea attacks.
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Natural Monument
Natural Monument
.
Made of up sand of aeolic origin, this complex
system of dunes has arisen as a result of the
action of the predominant winds and the
process of longshore drift.
.
As mentioned initially, this natural monument
consists of a system of fossil and mobile dunes.
The first of these are primarily covered with
various species of pine and Mediterranean
shrubs while the latter form a barrier parallel to
the coast and feature psammophilic vegetation,
specially adapted to the conditions of intense
sunlight, the constant battering of the wind and a
scarcity of water.
Dunas de Artola, which covers an area of
192,715 square metres, was declared a Natural
Protected Space by the Autonomous
Government of Andalusia - with the
classification of Natural Monument - in
September of 2003. Its protection is justified by
its geological uniqueness since it represents the
last vestige of the extensive dune complex
which was once found in the province of Málaga
between Punta Ladrones and the mouth of the
Real River. This dune, which ran the length of
Marbella, stretched from Cabopino to San
Pedro de Alcántara.
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TOURIST BOARD &
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since the lot has a fairly limited number of spaces.
If there are no free spaces, you can use one of
the other parking areas found on the nearby side
roads, though these do not have security
surveillance.
You will see several snack stands on the west
beach of Cabopino and a provisional snack stand
called "Las Dunas" in the centre of the natural
monument. Although there are roads running
across the dunes, driving on them - whether they
are sand roads or one of the remaining dirt roads
- is strictly prohibited so in order to reach the
snack stand, you will have to go on foot.
.
HOW TO GET THERE
Once there, you will find a parking lot with security
surveillance in Torre de los Ladrones. You can
leave your vehicle here if you find an empty spot,
These improvements will be carried out inside the
zone of maritime terrestrial public domain and the
public right-of-way, between the Cabrillas stream
and the Cabopino marina. In addition to the
installation of street furniture, pathways will be
eliminated to slow the degradation of the dune.
An access-way will be created to Torre de los
Ladrones -designated as a Cultural Interest Siteand the area will be replanted with native species
such as cork oak and coastal juniper.
Natural Monument
Marbella is situated about 56 kilometres from the
city of Málaga. To get to this Costa del Sol city,
you must take highway N-340, which leads
directly to the town. Once past the "Welcome to
Marbella" sign, you will come upon a turn-off to
the right which indicates the way to Puerto
Cabopino. You should take this turn-off and, at
the entrance to the port, take the road on the
right-hand side which indicates the way to the
beach.
The Ministry of the Environment is implementing
a project to organise the dune area which will
involve the closing off of its perimeter, the
construction of wooden walkways to allow visitor
access, the elimination of the road for wheeled
vehicles in the middle, and the relocation of the
only snack stand currently found within the area
of the natural monument.
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Natural Monument
Wildlife which can be observed here includes the
blackbird, the hoopoe, the little owl, the lesser
kestrel, the Kentish plover, the herring gull and
the lesser black-backed gull.
FAUNA
If you want to reach Dunas de Artola o Cabopino
Natural Monument from the highway that comes
from Cádiz, you must also take the N-340
towards Málaga. Once past the Hotel Artola, you
should take the previously mentioned turn-off to
the port of Cabopino.
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DUNAS DE ARTOLA O CABOPINO
NATURAL MONUMENT
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End of route
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Natural Monument
Natural Monument
Beginning of route
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TOURIST BOARD &
6 rOUTE OF THE NATURAL
LAGUNA DE FUENTE DE
PIEDRA (FUENTE DE PIEDRA
LAGOON)
LAGUNA DE LA RATOSA
(LA RATOSA LAGOON)
Natural Reserve
.
Natural Reserve
LAGUNAS DE ARCHIDONA
(ARCHIDONA LAGOONS)
The surrounding terrain - of gentle topography
and covered by olive groves and grain fields - is
dominated by the enormous Fuente de Piedra
Lagoon, which combines the ecological interest
of its important colony of flamingos with the
scenic beauty of its vast water surface. Even
during dry years when the water level of the
lagoon decreases, the stunning beauty of the
area is not diminished.
.
LAGUNAS DE CAMPILLOS
(CAMPILLOS LAGOON)
These four natural reserves, scattered
throughout the region of Antequera, in Málaga,
seem like paradisiacal oases specially designed
to be the most picturesque of habitats. They
constitute a network of natural spaces that make
an ideal home for the great diversity of flora and
fauna protected by these four wetlands, which
have been recognized for their environmental
importance. From the Fuente de Piedra Lagoon situated in the most important nesting area of the
flamingo - to the lagoons of La Ratosa, Campillos
and Archidona, these aquifers make up an area of
extraordinary richness - thanks to their high
scenic and ecological value - accessible to any
visitor. A trip through the heart of this region is
well worthwhile. Here, without having to go very
far, you can see for yourself that water - apart
from being essential for life - can also leave an
amazing mark on the landscape.
Laguna de la Fuente de Piedra (Fuente de
Piedra Lagoon) Natural Reserve is found in the
northern part of the province of Málaga, next to
the town bearing the same name. It is the largest
lagoon in Andalusia, covering an area of 1,354
hectares, and is considered to be one of the most
extensive and characteristic endorheic
complexes in Spain. This lagoon is a protected
area of the first order among the wetland areas of
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134
Fuente de Piedra Lagoon
RESERVES - THE
WETLANDS TRAIL
LAGUNA DE FUENTE DE
PIEDRA
NATURAL RESERVE
La Laguna de la Fuente de Piedra, along with the
wetland areas of Campillos (made up of six
lagoons) and La Laguna de La Ratosa, together
constitute a system of lagoons of similar
characteristics with respect to their origins and
their plant and animal communities. Given their
proximity to one another, each acts in a
complementary fashion to the rest for the
maintenance of waterfowl communities.
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the Western Mediterranean and stands out as
being the most important nesting site of the
greater flamingo on the Iberian Peninsula and the
second most important in Europe, after that of
Camargue, in France.
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The lagoon has suffered a number of changes
over time, mainly due to the salt industry, but also
as a result of attempts which were made to dry it
up in 1835 and in 1969. The first references to the
use of Fuente de Piedra as a salt quarry date
back to Roman times (the year 418) and its
exploitation as such continued until 1951, when it
ceased to be profitable.
Changes carried out to facilitate the exploitation
of salt resources led to alterations in the shape of
the lagoon basin which, in turn, affected the
flamingo and Laro-Limicolae (wading birds)
populations here. When use by the salt industry
came to an end, however, the lagoon entered into
a cycle of filling and drying out controlled by the
meteorological conditions of the region and this
has continued up to the present.
The rainfall regime controls the seasonal cycle of
the lagoon and, as a result, the dynamics of the
ecosystem. Fuente de Piedra is subject to drastic
seasonal changes (a period of flooding and a
period of drought) which determine the aspect of
the lagoon.
.
Birds are certainly the most well-represented of
the animal groups present here with over 170
catalogued species. In addition to the birds which
live in the lagoon on a permanent basis, there
are also many that come as a result of migration
since this natural reserve is located along the
migratory route of a great many Euro-African
species.
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Natural Reserve
The second ecosystem type is determined by the
duration of the flood season, the degree of
salinity, and the texture of the soil. Ramblas
(watercourses with high salinity and extreme
hydrological fluctuations) vegetation is found
along the watercourses and channels around the
lagoon and includes such plants as the autumn
buttercup, rushes and common reeds. After this
fringe of vegetation, halophilic communities
Natural Reserve
136
The greater flamingo is Fuente de Piedra
Lagoon's most characteristic bird. The most
stable and numerous flamingo breeding colony
on the entire Iberian Peninsula can be found
here and it is - along with the colony in Camargue
(France) - essential in maintaining the population
of this species in the Western Mediterranean.
Great numbers of these birds have been counted
here (50,010 in August of 1990) in years when
water levels are especially high.
.
La Laguna de la Fuente de Piedra features two
distinct types of ecosystems. This first depends
entirely on rainwater and occupies the terrain
outside the perimeter of the lagoon itself. Here,
areas of intensive wheat, sunflower, oat, safflower
and barley cultivation can be found, along with
monocultures made up of olive groves, Holm
oaks and wild olives. Shrub species like Kermes
oak, mastic, broom, scorpion's thorn and thyme
are also present.
FAUNA
FLORA
occur, consisting of shrubland of glaucous
glasswort, other glasswort species and grasses.
Finally, Ruppia spp. or algae populate the waters
of the lacustrian basin itself.
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The geomorphological aspect of greatest
significance here is the lagoon's endorheism. It is
refilled by direct precipitation, by surface run-off in
the watershed, and by subterranean inputs from
aquifers. Water only exits the system through
evaporation. The salinity here is of continental
origin: minerals deposited in the basin are
dissolved by the water, making it salty.
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RING-TAGGING
One of the spectacles which attracts large
numbers of visitors to La Laguna de la Fuente de
Piedra is the ring-tagging of the flamingos. Ringtagging is done every year, as long as the
flamingos have raised a brood - that is to say, if
the water level in the lagoon was greater than 25
centimetres since these birds cannot reproduce
during periods of drought (and thus they cannot
be ring-tagged). In years with normal rainfall
levels, 10% of the flamingo chicks are ringtagged. Tagging is carried out about one month
after the last chicks have hatched but before they
can fly.
The ring-tagging process itself begins at night
when it is still completely dark. Four groups of
beaters, each with a coordinator in charge,
spread out around the lagoon. They drive the
adult birds until they take flight and
simultaneously direct the chicks inside the corral
previously erected in the middle of the lagoon.
When 10% of the chicks have entered the corral,
the doors are closed and qualified personnel
begin catching them, one by one. They then hand
the chicks to different groups charged with
placing the rings on the birds, then measuring
and weighing them. After ensuring that the chicks
are in good condition, they are released.
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This road will take you to the Interpretive Centre the first indispensable stop on a visit to the natural
reserve. In the Interpretive Centre you can see an
exposition which will inform you about the lagoon,
Natural Reserve
Natural Reserve
You should drive through the village and, upon
leaving it - just after the raised section where the
Sierra de Yeguas highway crosses above the
railway tracks - you will see a turn-off to the left
which leads to the lagoon road.
.
In the days leading up to this event, the Town
Council's Environmental Board organises a
variety of activities including guided tours of the
lagoon, expositions, breakfast in the town square
with mollete (traditional Antequera bread) and
local olive oil, and an outdoor party during which
participants and observers are welcomed.
in the direction of Seville; after driving for a little
under 20 kilometres, you will come to Fuente de
Piedra.
HOW TO GET THERE
When leaving from Málaga, you must take the A45 (N-331) motorway in the direction of
Antequera and then - when approaching this city
- connect with the A-92. You must follow this road
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138
Furthermore, eight species of amphibian inhabit
the lagoon including the common toad and the
Iberian water frog. Of interest among the 13
species of reptiles found the area is the ocellated
lizard, while the garden dormouse, the southern
water vole, rabbits, foxes and badgers are all
among the 18 species of mammal living here.
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During the winter season, common species here
include cranes, the common shelduck, the
northern shoveler, the lesser black-backed gull,
the Kentish plover, the red-crested pochard, the
common pochard, the gadwall and the common
teal.
Other important waterfowl species present here
are the black-winged stilt, the mallard, the
common moorhen, the Eurasian coot, the blackheaded gull, the little grebe, the great crested
grebe, and the black-necked grebe.
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TOURIST BOARD &
Once your visit is finished, you can walk to two
viewpoints right from the building itself. At Cerro
del Palo (El Palo Hill) Viewpoint, flamingos and
other birds can be observed - this is a real
spectacle if you are visiting during the rainy
season when the lagoon is in full splendour. The
second viewpoint - the Laguneto (Little Lagoon)
Viewpoint - looks out over a smaller lagoon
located alongside the main one.
ROUTE AROUND THE LAGOON
The proposed acquisition of 59 additional
hectares of land at Laguna de Fuente de Piedra
Natural Reserve will allow the management of
water inputs into the lagoon, improving its quality
as well as increasing the floodable area. In
addition, two other freshwater lagoons will be
rehabilitated, deteriorated nesting areas will be
restored, and the area will be replanted with
vegetation. Furthermore, two new trails and
observatories will be built with an aim to improve
the conditions for visiting area.
After leaving Laguneto viewpoint, you can take
your vehicle and drive the "Route around the
lagoon." This tour starts on a regional highway
but continues along a dirt road for most of the
way, paralleling the edge of the lagoon and
allowing the visitor to fully appreciate its beauty.
A few minutes after leaving the Interpretive
Centre on the Sierra de Yeguas highway, you will
come to the third viewpoint found at Fuente de
Piedra: La Vicaría Viewpoint. Here you will have
the chance to observe the plant communities of
the lagoon edge and to identify such birds as
sandpipers, black-winged stilts, plovers, zitting
cisticolas, harriers, and egrets, to name a few.
observatory near this ranch), La Rábita (here,
there is an observatory which can be visited on a
guided tour), and La Plata. Following the same
road, you will come across the La Laguna
municipal campground. From here, excellent
views of the natural reserve can also be had.
This route will again take you along the Fuente
de Piedra highway to La Rábita, and back to the
starting point.
Natural Reserve
Natural Reserve
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The vistas from this viewpoint are amazing. In
addition to the Interpretive Centre, the Sierra de
Humilladero, Torcal de Antequera Natural Area,
the Sierra de Chimeneas, the Sierra del Valle de
Abdalajís, the Serranía de Ronda and Sierra de
las Nieves Natural Park can all be seen.
.
As you continue on your way you will pass the
ranches of La Herriza, La Madriguera (beside
which there is another lagoon observation point),
Campos (in ruins), Las Latas (there is also an
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its history, its geology, its flora and fauna, as well
as about the greater flamingo. The documentary
film shown in the centre about the lagoon and the
flamingo is also not to be missed.
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LAGUNA DE FUENTE DE PIEDRA NATURAL
RESERVE
Natural Reserve
Halfway point
Suggested route
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Natural Reserve
.
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Beginning and end of route
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TOURIST BOARD &
In the Peripheral Protection Zone of this lagoon,
the land is predominately covered by olive groves
and grain fields. These surround the lagoon and
protect it. The vegetation here has suffered a high
degree of degradation; only a narrow strip of
reeds with some rushes and halophytic
vegetation common to saline soils remains. This
strip is mostly limited to the area of public domain,
which is separated from the floodable zone by
rubble. This degradation of the perilagoon edge
limits the lagoon's ability to provide shelter and
nesting sites for birds. As a result, the lagoon is
only currently used as a feeding area.
LAGUNA DE LA RATOSA
NATURAL RESERVE
La Ratosa Lagoon
Laguna de la Ratosa (La Ratosa Lagoon)
Natural Reserve is situated between the
municipal districts of Alameda and Humilladero in the western end of the province of Málaga,
near the border with the province of Seville. This
lagoon - declared a Natural Reserve in 1999 covers an area of 24 hectares. It is found at the
lowest elevation of any endorheic basin and
originates from a natural aquifer outflow.
FAUNA
.
Natural Reserve
.
Due to the fragile nature of this wetland and the
biotic communities it harbours, access inside the
area of the natural reserve is restricted to those
carrying out research or conservation duties.
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.
The bird species observed here are abundant
and associate with the communities found at La
Laguna de la Fuente de Piedra. Species include
the great crested grebe, the black-necked grebe,
the little grebe, the grey heron, the cattle egret,
the flamingo, the mallard duck, the marsh harrier,
the common moorhen, the Eurasian coot, the
black-winged stilt and the avocet.
Natural Reserve
Precipitation levels control the water level in the
lagoon as well as its drastic seasonal regime,
marked by annual and inter-annual periods of
flooding and drought that determine the biological
communities living here.
.
There is little existing data regarding the aquatic
animal communities here; that which does exist
corresponds to the heleoplanktonic crustaceans,
one of the groups which best characterises these
wetlands.
La Ratosa Lagoon
The underwater vegetation here is certainly
important. One of the species found here,
Althenia orientalis, is of special interest at the
national and European level but there is also a
great diversity of other species including
Lamprothamnium papulosum, Potamogetum
pectinatus, Ranunculus aquatilis, Ranunculus
peltatus, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Ranunculus
trichophyllus trichophyllus, Ruppia drepanensis
and Zannichellia palustris.
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FLORA
145
TOURIST BOARD &
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Birds more closely associated with a marine
environment such as the black-headed gull, the
lesser black-backed gull, the gull-billed tern and
the black tern find food of human origins here.
Mammals present in the area include rabbits, the
common hedgehog, and various species of
rodents.
HOW TO GET THERE
.
About three kilometres from Alameda, you will
come across a sign indicating La Laguna de La
Ratosa 500 metres ahead. It is accessed by a
road which turns off from the left-hand side of the
highway. After entering this dirt road, the first
thing one sees is a sign from the Autonomous
Community of Andalusia indicating the presence
of La Laguna Castañuela (Nut Sedge Lagoon) to
the right. According to the locals, the name of this
lagoon came about because this plant - the nut
sedge - which is found at the lagoon, constitutes
one of the main food sources for the flamingos.
Continuing a little further on, you will arrive at La
Laguna de La Ratosa, encircled by olive trees
and grain fields.
.
Natural Reserve
.
.
Natural Reserve
Once past the village of Mollina, you should head
towards Alameda on the MA-704. From this
village, where the famous bandit El Tempranillo is
buried, you must look for the exit towards La
Roda de Andalucía on the MA-705. La Laguna de
la Ratosa is found at the same distance from the
village of Alameda, in Málaga, as La Roda de
Andalucía is from Seville.
La Ratosa Lagoon
La Ratosa Lagoon
When leaving from the city of Málaga, you must
take the A-45 (N-331) motorway until near
Antequera, where you must then take the
entrance onto the A-92 motorway in the direction
of Seville. From this motorway there is a very
well-marked exit towards Mollina.
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TOURIST BOARD &
La Ratosa Lagoon
La Ratosa Lagoon
CONVENTION BUREAU
LAGUNA DE LA RATOSA NATURAL RESERVE
.
.
Beginning of route
End of route
Suggested route
.
.
148
Natural Reserve
Natural Reserve
Halfway point
index
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TOURIST BOARD &
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LAGUNAS DE CAMPILLOS
NATURAL RESERVE
Lagunas de Campillos (Campillos
Lagoons) Natural Reserve is situated in the
northern part of the province of Málaga, in the
municipal district of Campillos. Taking in a total
protected area of 1,126 hectares, it is made up of
a group of seasonally saline lagoons. These are
La Laguna Dulce (Freshwater Lagoon - the
largest), La Laguna Salada (Salty Lagoon), La
Laguna de Camuñas (Camuñas Lagoon), La
Laguna de Capacete (Capacete Lagoon) and La
Laguna del Cerezo (Cerezo Lagoon).
This is an area of high ecological importance both
due to its geological characteristics as well as for
the flora and fauna found here. It was declared a
Natural Reserve in 1989. The area is
characterised by a rather flat topography with a
poorly-defined drainage pattern where the
existence of more or less isolated basins allows
the formation of endorheic lagoons.
Campillos Lagoons
.
.
Natural Reserve
Natural Reserve
.
The lagoons are oriented north-south and all
contain freshwater except for the one known as
La Salada (the Salty Lagoon). A manuscript
dating from 1833 attests to the fact that in the
largest of them, La Dulce, the locals once
practised sport fishing. Today, flamingos and
ducks, as well as other animals, can be seen
around the lagoons. About 40 years ago, La
Laguna Salada was utilised for the extraction of
sodium chloride. Of all the lagoons which once
existed here, La Redonda Lagoon and Laguna
del Toro (Toro Lagoon) have now disappeared.
.
150
Campillos Lagoons
The topography of the lagoon complex basins
has scarcely undergone any degradation and, as
a result, the drainage regime here is rather
indistinct and not very dynamic. Water
temporarily fills the lagoons from the beginning of
autumn until the start of summer. In summer the
lagoons dry out completely and in drought years,
or years with little rainfall, they may be dry during
practically the entire year.
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TOURIST BOARD &
If you wish to take an extended tour of the
lagoons, you will have to go by car to the next
stop on the itinerary: La Laguna de Cerezo, which
is also accessed via the A-384 and which is
located 2.5 kilometres from Laguna Dulce. This
lagoon is surrounded by olive trees and grain
fields. Nearby, La Laguna de Camuñas, the
smallest of the lagoons included in the natural
reserve, can also be viewed. In order to visit La
Laguna Salada and La Laguna de Capacete, you
must take highway MA-452, which leads to the
reservoirs of Guadalteba and Guadalhorce.
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The fauna here is mainly composed of water
birds, primarily Anatidae (shelducks, teals and
ducks) and Limicolae (Kentish plovers and
sandpipers). Flamingos, black-winged stilts,
coots and avocets are also found here. Reptiles
include the ocellated lizard, the Montpellier
snake, the viperine snake and the water snake.
The green frog, the parsley frog and the Iberian
parsley frog are the most abundant amphibians.
The most important mammal species here
include hares, rabbits, southern water voles,
foxes, and weasels.
Interesting flora found at La Laguna Dulce
(Freshwater Lagoon) includes shrub species like
rosemary, rock rose, Jerusalem sage, thyme
and scorpion's thorn; at Camuñas Lagoon,
mastic can be found. There is also lacustrian
.
La Laguna Salada (Salty Lagoon) features such
species as Althenia orientalis, Chara aspera,
Chara galioides and Ruppia.
FAUNA
Waterfowl are the most characteristic of the
vertebrates in the lagoon complex, having
adapted themselves well to these fluctuating
wetlands. Both the number and type of
waterfowl present at any one time are
determined by the water level in the lagoons.
La Laguna Dulce (the most important of those
found in this village) is located less than two
kilometres before reaching Campillos. You must
pay careful attention so as to see the sign on the
right-hand side indicating the way to the lagoon; if
you miss it you may get lost. La Laguna Dulce
features a recreational area with wooden tables
and benches as well as a well-equipped
observatory for public use which allows visitors to
observe water birds without bothering them.
Inside the observatory is an informative sign
explaining the different bird species found in the
lagoons.
Natural Reserve
The precipitation regime controls the water level
in the lagoons as well as their drastic seasonal
cycles and this also determines the biological
communities which inhabit them. The area
features terrestrial ecosystems - where natural
vegetation is scarce due to the traditional tilling of
the land - and aquatic ecosystems, which include
the aquatic and perilagoon vegetation living at the
lagoon edge.
vegetation including reeds, rushes and nut
sedge, though this is quite deteriorated in some
areas. Olive groves and crops of herbaceous
plants are found around the lagoons.
.
.
.
Natural Reserve
FLORA
From the city of Málaga, you must take the A-45
in the direction of Seville until you connect with
the A-92, which you should follow for six
kilometres. You must then take the motorway exit
indicating Antequera, Campillos and El Torcal.
From here, you will connect directly with the A384 that leads to the town of Campillos. When
leaving from the capital of the Costa del Sol
(Málaga), you can also take the A-357, which
goes directly to Campillos; no turn-offs are
necessary.
Campillos Lagoons
Campillos Lagoons
HOW TO GET THERE
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TOURIST BOARD &
Campillos Lagoons
Campillos Lagoons
CONVENTION BUREAU
LAGUNAS DE CAMPILLOS NATURAL
RESERVE
.
.
Natural Reserve
Halfway point
End of route
Suggested route
.
.
Natural Reserve
Beginning of route
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155
TOURIST BOARD &
b)
Various terrestrial ecosystems (the collection
basin of the lagoons which includes the entire
Peripheral Protection Zone) and aquatic
ecosystems (the two lagoons and their fringe of
perilagoon vegetation) can be distinguished in the
area.
Predominant species in the lagoon include
juncal (Juncetum sp.), rushes, common reeds,
and reeds while, near the shore, Polypogon
monspeliensis, Cyperus fuscus, rushes (Juncus
pygmaeus), and some new tamarisk shoots,
Tamarix canariensis can all be found. Spanish
broom, esparto grass and gorse grow in the
zone extending from the shore to the start of the
Holm oak forest. There is also a weeping willow
growing at the foot of the entrance road to
Laguna Grande.
a)
NATURAL RESERVE
Archidona Lagoons
The plant communities at La Laguna Chica are
very similar to those found at La Laguna
Grande, although they have a drier and less
colourful aspect. A greater abundance of
common reeds, rushes and reeds and a more
highly developed halophytic community
constitute the main differences.
.
.
Natural Reserve
Natural Reserve
.
Lagunas de Archidona Natural Reserve is a
wetland of endorheic origins featuring saline
waters rich in sulphates. Its scenic and ecological
value is augmented by the existence along its
perimeter of a copse of Holm oak, home to
numerous protected bird species.
One of the unique aspects of these lagoons which were designated as a Natural Reserve in
1989 - is their elevation: they are situated
between 760 and 823 metres above sea level and
are encircled by a series of promontories which
hide them from the outside world. Las Lagunas
de Archidona can be divided into two zones: the
first corresponds to the lagoons themselves and
the second to the Peripheral Protection Zone,
which covers an area of 187 hectares..
.
156
Mediterranean forest and shrubland can both be
found in Lagunas de Archidona Natural Reserve.
These include such characteristic species as
Holm oak, Kermes oak, gorse, rock rose,
Jerusalem sage and hawthorn. Degraded
shrubland consisting of Spanish broom, esparto
grass, thistle and wild asparagus is also present.
Finally, agricultural lands dedicated to the
production of almonds and olives as well as
pastureland are also present.
Archidona Lagoons
Lagunas de Archidona (Archidona
Lagoons) Natural Reserve is located in the northeastern part of the province of Málaga, in the
municipal district of Archidona, in the centralwestern part of the Baetic Cordillera. This natural
reserve, also known as Lagunas de Salinas
(Salinas Lagoons), covers an area of seven
hectares and is made up of La Laguna Grande
(the Big Lagoon) (five hectares) and La Laguna
Chica (the Little Lagoon) (two hectares).
Terrestrial ecosystems
Aquatic ecosystems
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FLORA
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TOURIST BOARD &
HOW TO GET THERE
A fairly well-developed animal community exists
here, associated with the forest and shrublands.
Reptiles found here include the Montpellier
snake, the ladder snake, the ocellated lizard, the
common salamander and the blind snake.
When leaving from the city of Málaga, you must
take the A-45 to El Puerto de las Pedrizas and
then take the A-359 in the direction of Almería.
You should exit this highway at the sign indicating
Estación de Salinas and Villanueva de Tapia and
then head towards Fuente Camacho. After a few
metres, you will come to an intersection where
you should turn to the right and take the highway
parallel to the A-359. After one kilometre, you will
come to a road in rather poor condition which
leads to Laguna Grande.
Birds inhabiting the area include common
kestrels, partridges, woodpigeons, turtledoves,
cuckoos, barn owls, little owls, red-necked
nightjars, jays and azure-winged magpies; while
mammals such as common hedgehogs, rabbits,
hares, foxes, weasels, genets and badgers are all
found here.
.
Natural Reserve
CLIMATE
.
The region where these two lagoons are found
has a continental Mediterranean climate with hot,
dry summers and cool winters. The Archidona
lagoons fall into the zone denominated as
"Málaga sub-humid" according to the mean
annual precipitation levels for each season here.
The Sierra de Gibalto range - to the south-east in
the province of Granada - and the Sierra de San
Jorge and Sierra Gorda mountain ranges - further
south in the municipal district of Villanueva del
Trabuco - serve as background scenery here and
help to highlight the natural beauty of the area. All
are visible from the lagoons.
Natural Reserve
.
The only mammal living in the aquatic zone is the
southern water vole.
La Laguna Grande is kidney-shaped and its
waters are quite deep - between six and ten
metres. La Laguna Chica is situated about 900
metres away to the southwest and is separated
from the first by Las Lagunas Ranch. It is
shallower than La Laguna Grande, not exceeding
three metres in depth.
.
158
Waterfowl species found here include the little
grebe, the black-necked grebe, the great crested
grebe, the grey heron, the mallard duck, the
northern shoveler, the Eurasian widgeon, the redcrested pochard, the common moorhen, the
Eurasian coot, the little ringed plover and the
Kentish plover.
Here you will see a fence with a sign reading
"Prohibido el Paso" (No Trespassing). The
Archidona Lagoons are private property and
access to their interior is absolutely prohibited.
For access into the natural reserve a permit from
the Ministry of the Environment is required.
Nevertheless, you can enjoy the surrounding
scenery and tour the Peripheral Protection Zone,
which is not private property.
Archidona Lagoons
Archidona Lagoons
With respect to the aquatic ecosystems in the
lagoon, the existence of fish species such as
catfish and Gambusia affinis has been verified.
Amphibians present include the common frog, the
common toad and the natterjack toad, while the
reptiles are represented by species like the water
snake and the Spanish terrapin.
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FAUNA
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TOURIST BOARD &
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NATURAL RESERVE
Beginning of route
Halfway point
End of route
Archidona Lagoons
Archidona Lagoons
Suggested route
Natural Reserve
Natural Reserve
.
.
.
.
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TOURIST BOARD &
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r
7 OUTE OF THE SUBURBAN PARKS - NATURE AT
THE FOOT OF THE CITY
PINAR DEL HACHO
(EL HACHO PINE GROVE)
Sierra de Gracia Suburban Park is located
in the town of Archidona and is one of the most
characteristic features of the scenery in the
northern part of the province of Málaga.
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FLORA
The various types of habitat existing in the area
are typical of a Mediterranean climate zone.
Shrubland is scattered throughout the entire
district and the various species found in it are
generally those associated with the presence of
Holm oak forest. Important species include the
Holm oak itself, hawthorns, prickly pear cactus,
spurge flax, buckthorn, thyme and scorpion's
thorn, to name a few.
.
.
Covering an area of 35.3 hectares, this suburban
park has an uneven topography due to its
situation on a mountainous side-slope. Apart from
its natural importance it holds an even greater - if
possible - cultural significance since this
mountain range harbours remains from the
Roman, Moorish and Christian eras; all these
aspects come together to make this an amazing
monument.
To the north, Sierra de Gracia Suburban Park
borders agricultural lands belonging to various
landowners. It is delimited by an area known as
the Sierra de Calderón to the east and to the
south, by the city centre of Archidona and part of
the La Hoya road. The La Hoya road also borders
the park to the west.
Suburban Park
Suburban Park
SIERRA DE GRACIA
SUBURBAN PARK
.
.
DEHESA DEL MERCADILLO
(EL MERCADILLO PASTURE)
Three towns located in the interior of
Málaga - Archidona, Antequera and Ronda - are
the three districts in this province which feature
suburban parks protected by the Public
Administration. These are vast green zones home
an abundance of plant and animal species where
fascinating archaeological sites (in the case of
Sierra de Gracia and Pinar del Hacho) can also
be found. They also feature sports facilities,
recreational and educational zones, and even
areas dedicated to use by livestock (in the case of
Dehesa del Mercadillo). These are, without a
doubt, three prime examples of the fact that
nature and civilization, the environment and
urban development do not always have to be in
opposition to one another. If you want to see for
yourself, what better way than to take a walk
through these gigantic parks found right at the
foot of the city.
Sierra de Gracia
Sierra de Gracia
SIERRA DE GRACIA
163
TOURIST BOARD &
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The vegetation in Sierra de Gracia Suburban
Park is characterised chiefly by stands of
replanted Aleppo pine although Portuguese oak,
rock rose and Jerusalem sage are also common
here. The pasturelands feature esparto grass,
fennel, Spanish broom and strawflower.
FAUNA
Important mammal species include deer, wild
boars, and foxes although rabbits, Schreiber's
bats, greater white-toothed shrews, Etruscan
pygmy shrews, black rats, Algerian mice,
garden dormice and badgers also inhabit the
area, among others.
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On top of the ruins of the Roman walls, the
Moors raised a fortress consisting of three
bastions of defence; today only two remain
standing and they are quite deteriorated. These
defensive fortifications are only found on one
side of the mountain since the other side is
guarded by an impressive cleft.
.
.
When setting out from the city of Málaga, you
must take the A-45 until you pass El Puerto de
las Pedrizas, where you will connect with the A359 in the direction of Almería. You will see a
sign indicating the exit towards Archidona and
you should take this turn-off so as to connect
Once in Archidona, you should find Avenida de
Andalucía and follow it - you will pass the
football field, the road to Villanueva del Trabuco,
and the Mirador de Archidona (Archidona
Viewpoint) on the right-hand side. A little further
on, you should turn to the left towards the
neighbourhood of Camino del Santuario. The
road to the Santuario de la Virgen de Gracia
(Virgin de Gracia Sanctuary) - found in the heart
of Sierra de Gracia Suburban Park - starts from
here.
While ascending this rather steep and
somewhat windy road, visitors can enjoy seven
different points of interest in the park. The first
sights are the castle and the Roman walls. Their
original construction dates back to the 9th
century, although they were subsequently rebuilt
by Alhamar, the first Nasrid king.
Suburban Park
Suburban Park
HOW TO GET THERE
with the MA-222. This is a very windy road
leading to Archidona and is known as the "La
Carretera del Molinillo" (the Mill Road).
.
.
The ocellated lizard can easily be observed
here, while other reptiles like the ladder snake
and the Iberian worm lizard can also be found,
though they are less abundant. Bird-life also
abounds in the area and species include the
booted eagle, the Bonelli's eagle, the shorttoed eagle, the cuckoo, the woodpigeon, the
críalo (Clamatus glandarius), the robin, the
common blackbird, the common little owl, the
Eurasian eagle owl and the red partridge.
Sierra de Gracia
Sierra de Gracia
The amphibians are represented here by
various rather abundant species such as the
common frog and common toad as well as, to a
lesser extent, the natterjack toad, the Iberian
ribbed newt, the Iberian painted frog and the
marbled newt.
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TOURIST BOARD &
The third walled enclosure here is commonly
known as El Aljibe (the Cistern), due to the fact
that below its terraces are tanks into which
rainwater was funnelled - via the openings in its
vaults - and stored for public consumption.
La Villa Alta is another interesting sight for
visitors. Between the second walled enclosure
and the castle, the houses of the Villa Alta (High
Villa) of the city were located.
El Alminar (the Minaret) is certainly of great
beauty. The inside of this tower has conserved
its original minaret structure. In the 18th century
its height was increased by several metres,
while the terrace and guardrail that once capped
the tower were replaced by the current roofing in
the late 1980s.
The highlight of this tour is, however, the
Mezquita-Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Gracia
(Nuestra Señora de Gracia Mosque-Shrine),
which dates from the 9th century. After conquest
by the Christians, the ancient mosque of the
Moorish city served as a base for the
construction of this Christian church dedicated
to the patron of Archidona, La Virgen de Gracia.
It has the unique distinction of being the only
mosque which has been conserved in the
province of Málaga.
another and oriented towards the east constitute the remains of the mosque, while the
other three naves - perpendicular to the first
ones - were added in the 17th century to enlarge
the building upon its reconversion to the
Christian religion. This annex changed the
orientation of the building to the north.
CONVENTION BUREAU
The second point of interest is La Puerta del Sol
(the Sun Gate); it was restored in the early
1970s. Halfway between the neighbourhood of
Camino del Santuario and the Sanctuary itself,
the Capilla del Santo Cristo (Santo Cristo
Chapel) is found. Dating from the 18th century,
its chapel and courtyards were restored and
renovated in 1997. One of the only walking trails
in Sierra de Gracia starts from here and
descends until reaching the town.
The Sanctuary complex was remodelled in the
18th century in accordance with the architectural
style which involved combining red brick and
white, lime masonry, and which produced such
beautiful results in the Plaza Ochavada.
Sierra de Gracia
Sierra de Gracia
Two quite distinct parts of the building can be
identified: the first three naves - parallel to one
Suburban Park
Suburban Park
.
.
.
.
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TOURIST BOARD &
Sierra de Gracia
Sierra de Gracia
CONVENTION BUREAU
SIERRA DE GRACIA SUBURBAN PARK
.
.
Beginning of route
Suburban Park
.
.
168
Suburban Park
End of route
Suggested route
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TOURIST BOARD &
Situated to the south-east of the town of
Antequera - quite near the town centre - Pinar del
Hacho (El Hacho Pine Grove) Suburban Park
covers an area of 85 hectares of protected land,
populated for the most part by a forest of
replanted stone pine of about 40 years of age.
This suburban park has been used by the
residents of Antequera as an area of relaxation
for many years, even before the lands passed
from private hands into the hands of the town
council. Pinar del Hacho is, however, currently
closed to the public until some improvements can
be made on the grounds.
FLORA
The maritime pine - or stone pine - dominates the
flora of this protected natural space, although
shrubland and pastureland also play an important
role here depending on the biogeographical
location.
FAUNA
Suburban Park
highway N-331 (A-45) towards Antequera. Upon
reaching the Antequera plain, you should take the
.
.
170
Suburban Park
HOW TO GET THERE
.
The fauna in the Pinar del Hacho includes 59
different species of birds, 14 mammal species,
eight reptile species, and two amphibian species,
along with many other invertebrate species. The
forest fauna is predominately made up of the
animal
communities
characteristic
of
Mediterranean
low-mountain
coniferous
woodlands while ruderal and anthropogenic
communities are also present, due to the park's
proximity to the town centre of Antequera.
.
Pinar del Hacho
The location of the gate and the absence of
matacán (platforms with holes for pouring boiling
oil) and other defensive elements indicate that
this tower was used exclusively for signalling
purposes. Its placement affords a wide view of
the surrounding area: El Peñón de los
Enamorados (The Lovers Rock), Antequera and
the Antequera plain are all visible from the tower,
along with El Torcal, on the other side. The Sierra
de las Chimeneas and the Sierra de las Cabras
can also be seen from the park.
Pinar del Hacho
A walk along the pathways of Pinar del Hacho
does not simply mean losing yourself in a natural
hideaway where peace and tranquillity reign; a
walk through this protected natural space also
means being transported back through history
and contemplating archaeological sites like La
Torre del Hacho (Hacho Tower) and El Arquillo de
los Porqueros (Los Porqueros Arch), found here.
Crowning this suburban park is La Torre del
Hacho. It was built in the 8th century on a circular
floor-plan and was meant to guard the
unprotected south-eastern flank of Antequera's
citadel. Its raising must have been carried out
under a project to renovate the walls of the citadel
itself after the Christian conquest of Seville in
1248 - at which time "Antaquira" found itself on
the border between the Kingdom of Castile and
the Kingdom of Granada.
CONVENTION BUREAU
PINAR DEL HACHO
SUBURBAN PARK
index
171
TOURIST BOARD &
Suburban Park
Another possible entranceway is accessed from
Avenida de La Legión in Antequera. It is located
on the right after coming to the traffic signal at the
.
.
.
Suburban Park
.
Just over one kilometre from the Venta del
Mirador inn (A-343), you will see a sign to the
right indicating the road to El Valle de Abdalajís.
You should take this highway and after about 500
metres - at Kilometre 10 of the A-343 - you will
see a large green fence on your right which
indicates the entranceway to Pinar del Hacho.
end of this street. This route, however, makes
touring Pinar del Hacho more complicated and
we recommended you use the first entrance.
Bear in mind that the Antequera Town Council is
currently maintaining this natural space closed to
public use until some improvement projects can
be implemented, as previously mentioned.
Pinar del Hacho
Pinar del Hacho
CONVENTION BUREAU
turn-off onto the A-354; you will come to the town
centre of Antequera after two kilometres on this
road. Once in Antequera, you should find La
Puerta de Estepa (Estepa Gate), where you will
see signs indicating the way to El Valle de
Abdalajís (Abdalajís Valley).
172
index
173
TOURIST BOARD &
Beginning of route
End of route
Pinar del Hacho
Pinar del Hacho
Suggested route 1
Suggested route 2
Suburban Park
Suburban Park
.
.
.
.
174
CONVENTION BUREAU
PINAR DEL HACHO SUBURBAN PARK
index
175
TOURIST BOARD &
CONVENTION BUREAU
FLORA
Although the majority of the area of the
mountain is covered by a replanted pine forest
consisting mostly of stone pine, with scattered
Holm oaks and black pines, some Holm oak
specimens of great value have been conserved
in Dehesa del Mercadillo. These are very old
trees - some of which are dying - and they
constitute a fundamental refuge for forest
wildlife.
DEHESA DEL MERCADILLO
SUBURBAN PARK
Dehesa del Mercadillo
.
Suburban Park
.
When beginning your trip from the city of Málaga,
you should take the A-357 towards Teba. Before
getting to Teba you will come across a turn-off on
the left which indicates the way to Ronda and
which connects with the A-367 Campillos-Ronda
highway. Once you have reached Ronda, you can
access this natural space from two different
points: the Ronda bypass road near the
neighbourhood of La Dehesa or the RondaSeville highway. We recommend the first option.
index
.
HOW TO GET THERE
Suburban Park
176
Wildlife found here includes foxes and badgers,
while, with respect to the bird-life, small birds like
finches, serins, greenfinches, crossbills,
European
goldfinches,
great
spotted
woodpeckers, short-toed treecreepers, rock
sparrows, hoopoes, green woodpeckers, robins,
and blackbirds can all be observed here. If you
look up to the sky, you may see booted eagles,
little owls, tawny owls, and griffon vultures soaring
above.
.
The network of livestock trails that merge in the
area - which includes the Cañada Real de Setenil
(Setenil Royal Livestock Trail), Cordel de Ronda
a Olvera (Rondel to Olvera Line), Vereda al
Molino de la Fuente (Trail to Molina de la Fuente)
and Cañada Real de Ronda a Jerez y Seville
(Royal Livestock Trail from Ronda to Jerez and
Seville) - facilitates access to the park and - at the
same time - contributes to its use for sports,
recreation, education and livestock purposes.
The Llano de la Cruz road also crosses the area.
FAUNA
Dehesa del Mercadillo (The Market
Pasture) Suburban Park is found right in the city
of Ronda itself, on the mountain of the same
name and beside the neighbourhood of La
Dehesa. Declared a protected natural space in
the year 2000, the park covers a total of 137.77
hectares. It takes its name from a livestock
market that was once held here - an ideal location
given its proximity to the city centre and the fact
that several livestock trails come together here.
A small forest of Portuguese oaks can also be
found in the park while the shrubland here is
made up mainly of scorpion's thorn, Spanish
broom, rock rose, hawthorn and some aromatic
plants such as thyme, rosemary and marjoram.
177
TOURIST BOARD &
CONVENTION BUREAU
The installations found at Dehesa del Mercadillo
Suburban Park are somewhat run down and it
only has two recreational areas. One of these
features swings, benches and barbecues while
the other only has barbecues. These areas are
favoured by locals and visitors alike when they
wish to spend a relaxing day and enjoy the
surrounding nature.
If you want to get a little exercise in the park, you
will find several trails where you can go trekking,
running, or mountain-biking. These are small
paths which have been set up by the sports
enthusiasts themselves and can be used either
for running or cycling.
The "Punto Limpio" (area with waste and
recycling receptacles) is also found near Dehesa
del Mercadillo and the city's parade of stallions
takes place annually in the park. The horses
involved in the parade are lent to the locals by the
Army and the origins of this tradition appear to
date back to the time of Spain's War of
Independence.
The parade of State stallions takes place in the
Dehesa del Mercadillo equestrian centre, in El
Llano de la Cruz. State stallions from Jerez are
bred with a couple of hundred of mares from the
Natural County of Ronda each year here, with an
aim to improve the horse breed.
Suburban Park
.
Suburban Park
.
Anyone on a visit to this park certainly cannot
help but appreciate the views here. On one side
are the mountains of Sierra de Grazalema
Natural Park, including El Hacho de Montejaque,
El Peñón de Mures (Mures Rock), La Ventana
(the Window), Palo, San Cristóbal and El
Torrejón; while from other points in the park
visitors can marvel at the view of La Olla del Tajo
de Ronda (The Whirlpool of the Ronda Gorge).
.
.
178
index
M
179
TOURIST BOARD &
CONVENTION BUREAU
DEHESA DEL MERCADILLO SUBURBAN
PARK
Beginning of route
End of route
Suggested route 1
Suggested route 2
Suburban Park
Suburban Park
.
.
.
.
180
index
181
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Malaga Sun and Nature

Transcription

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