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Tourist information Theme tourism Theme tourism: Nature
Tourist information Theme tourism Theme tourism: Nature
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The province of Málaga presents to nature lovers as varied and inspiring a territory as can be imagined. This is especially true of its interior but there are also large and surprisingly well-preserved spaces displaying nature with all her beauty intact along the teeming coastal fringe that is the usual destination of heavy tourist traffic. The diversity of Málaga’s territory—many do not hesitate to call it a small continent—comes from its complex terrain. It is extremely mountainous except in the northern part where fertile and well-tilled plains spread over the Antequera lowlands. The rest of the province is a succession of mountain systems, some with peaks rising above 2,000 metres. This explains the abundance of paradisiacal valleys that have been formed by rivers and streams, the leafy plant cover that in some cases is adorned with such unique species as the Spanish fir, and some singularly beautiful rock formations that are considered true marvels of nature.
Málaga boasts 23 protected natural spaces that are classified as natural parks (Sierra de las Nieves, Montes de Málaga, Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama, Los Alcornocales and Sierra de Grazalema); natural areas (Acantilados de Maro, Desembocadura del Guadalhorce, Los Gaitanes Gorge, Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja, Sierra Crestellina and El Torcal de Antequera); nature preserves (the lakes of Fuente de Piedra, Archidona, Campillos and La Ratosa); greenbelt parks (Sierra de Gracia, Dehesa de Mercadillo and Pinar del Hacho), or natural monuments (Pinsapo de las Escaleretas, Tornillo de El Torcal, Cañón de las Buitreras, Falla de la Sierra del Calamorro and Dunas de Artola or Cabopino).
The excellent surface communications that link all the regions to one another and to the city of Málaga allow quick and easy access to the most secluded corners of the province although some especially rugged areas must be entered by foot or all-terrain vehicle, as the case may be. The most scenically and ecologically remarkable spaces have been designated as natural parks, natural areas, nature preserves, greenbelt parks or natural monuments, and are subject to certain rules that are necessary to maintain their environmental balance.
The Ronda Mountains stand out above all the other places in Málaga that invite one to enjoy nature in all her splendour. Within them are found the natural parks of Sierra de las Nieves, Sierra de Grazalema and Los Alcornocales, and the valleys of the rivers Genal and Guadiario. All these places share certain characteristics due to their physical proximity, such as generous precipitation that makes possible luxurious plant life. At the same time, however, each presents certain peculiarities that make it a unique landscape. These places are genuine living nature museums where one can finds traces of ancient cultures, observe enormously interesting flora and fauna and enjoy unsurpassed scenic beauty. That being said, the true “trademark” of these parks and spaces—especially Sierra de las Nieves and Sierra de Grazalema—is the Spanish fir. This beautiful species, a legacy from the Ice Age, has survived due to the special conditions in these surroundings.
The Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park is made up of the municipalities of Alozaina, El Burgo, Casarabonela, Guaro Istán, Monda, Ojén, Tolox and Junquera, which are remarkable for maintaining a perfect state of balance with relation to the environment. It has been designated a Biosphere Preserve and within it are found both the province’s highest peak, the 1,919-metre Torrecilla, and the deepest chasm in Spain, the GESM, which has been explored to 1,098 metres.
Both the Sierra de Grazalema and the Los Alcornocales natural parks share their areas with municipalities in Cádiz. The Málaga towns included in the former (Benaoján, Montejaque, Cortes de la Frontera, Jimera de Líbar and Ronda) are filled with history and some of them, such as Ronda, possess an exceptionally interesting historical and artistic heritage.
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Costa del Sol Tourist Board – Plaza del Siglo, nº 2. 29015 Málaga Tel:+34952126272 Fax:+34952225207 info@costadelsol.travel
