Beautiful views, lush forests, beautiful walking and mountain bike routes, different bird and animal species, sporting challenges, clear streams and the special Spanish fir, you will find them all in the Sierra de las Nieves nature park.
In 2021, Sierra de las Nieves was declared a national park. The park covers approximately 20,000 hectares and is located between the provinces of Malaga and Cádiz. The park shares its landscapes with the villages: Alozaina, Casarabonela, Tolox, El Burgo, Yunquera, Monda, Guaro, Istán, Ojén, Ronda, and Parauta.
The name, which means snow, comes from the wells that you encounter in the mountains of the park. Snow used to be stored here, which was brought to the villages in the summer.
There are also several caves in the Sierra de las Nieves, including the GESM with a depth of 1101 meters. For the best view you have to go to Mirador del Guarda Forestal at an altitude of 900 meters, from where you have a breathtaking view of the nature reserve.
Animals and plants
In the park you will find different types of animals, plants and trees. The tree to which the nature park partly owes its status is the rare Pinsapo (the Spanish fir). This tree only occurs in Spain and Northern Morocco, of which 65 percent of the total area of Spain is in Sierra de las Nieves. The tree grows very slowly and can be found at altitudes above 1000 meters. The spruces are not very resistant to fire, so people do their utmost to protect the forests well. An example of this is the large estate Las Navas de los Pinsapos, which used to be a farm, but now it is completely dedicated to the preservation of nature and in particular the Pinsapo forests. You can stay there or take a day tour. There are many wild boars, deer, birds and they even have cows walking around on the property. Walks are organized in which you will receive a lot of information about the Sierra de las Nieves and the immediate surroundings. www.actividadesensierradelasnieves.com
One of the most famous animals in the park is the Iberian lynx, one of the world's largest
rarest cat species. The park does a lot to protect and preserve this beautiful animal. In addition to the lynx, the wild cat and the genet are also found. Furthermore, mammals include badgers, beech martens, otters, ibexes, deer and mountain goats, wild boars and various types of bats.
About 140 species of birds have been counted in the park including: the rare imperial eagle, the hawk eagle, the vulture, the peregrine falcon, the oriole, the hoopoe, the nightingale and several species of owls.
Swimming in natural water
There are two rivers in the park, the Rio Grande and the Rio Verde. There are also several streams and waterholes where you can relax. The water is generally fresh, making it ideal for cooling off in the hot summer. Many animals live around the water, the most special ones we saw were kingfishers and turtles!
Walking and cycling
There are plenty of opportunities for cycling and walking in Sierra de las Nieves.
Walking is our favorite. It is possible to reach the highest peak of Malaga via different routes. This is the Torrecilla at an altitude of 1919 meters. We did the route from Puerto Saucillo near Yunquera. This route is 10 kilometers long with 1000 meters of elevation gain to the top. The view from the top is amazing! The best season to do this climb is in spring or autumn. It is often also good in winter, but it can be done in winter
The morning can be around freezing on the mountain or the pass may even be closed because there is snow. So check this in advance. The months of July and August are too hot for this tour, as you walk the last part completely without shelter.
Cycling can be a challenge through the mountains, but it is very beautiful. For mountain bikers, for example, there is the Ruta de Ronda, which is 47 kilometers long and consists of paved and unpaved paths and runs through the middle of the nature park.
In addition to walking and cycling, there are other activities available in the park, such as horse riding, mountain climbing, canoeing, paragliding and canyoning.
Stays
We have a Casa Rural in Guaro, a perfect starting point to explore this beautiful national park. Our accommodation consists of 3 apartments and one studio. From the green garden with swimming pool you have a view over the park and from the studio you have a view
over the mountains even from your bed.
We are a 40-minute drive from Malaga airport and a five-minute walk from the typical Spanish village of Guaro. Here you will find various eateries, debit card options, a few small local supermarkets, a bakery and a butcher. www.nidoaguilablanca.com