Natural Parks
El Torcal
El Torcal is set in a semi-mountainous region of the Sierra Beticas just to the South of Antequera, this is an area of spectacular natural beauty.
The area consists of a series of limestone rocks the started their lifes on the sea bed around 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period, Alpine foldong caused the material in the water to raise to the surface, and subsequently a series of fractures generated crevices and various fault systems that eventually led to what is refered to today as alleways or corridors, this structure was then subjected to the usual erosion processes which has carved the rocks into a verity of different shaps producing a museum of natural sculptures.
Sierra de Grazalema
Sierra de Grazalema natural Park is located in the north east of the province of Malaga, as this area receives more precipitation than any other region situated In the Iberian Peninsula it has a large number of rivers and streams, as well as the largest forest of the Pinsapo tree, this is a native Spanish fur. The park covers an area of approximately 53,000 hectares and a total of fourteen towns and two cities Cadiz and Malaga are within its boundaries. Not to be missed here is the La Pileta cave in Benojan and the Neolithic caves which are to be found in the same village.
Los Alcornocales
Los Alcornocales natural Park is the home to the oak grove that is not only the largest in the Iberian Peninsula but also has one of the largest concentrations in the world of this Mediterranean species. The park is between Cadiz and Malaga is 167,767 hectares in size and home to some 17 towns and villages. Nature has included a number of remarkable gallery forests inhabited by a large number of species normally only found in the sub-tropical regions.
Sierra de las Nievs
Sierra de las Nievs Natural Park is a UNESCO designated biosphere reserve which stands in the heart of the Serrania de Rhonda in the west of Malaga. It is one of the most scenic areas of the mountain range; it is some 20,163 hectares and is home to seven towns and villages, El Burgo, Istan, Monda, Parauta, Tolox abd Yunquera. It is also the site of the world’s largest forest of Spanish firs.
Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama
The Alhama, Tejeda and almijara sierras combine to create a very impressive massif the makes a barrier between the cities of Malaga and Granada, a continuous line of rocky slopes which go as far as the Portuguese coast, these are most prominent in the south of Spain, at their highest point they measure 2,068 meters.
Approximately 41,000 hectares are home to 21 towns and villages which are in the regions of Malaga and Granada. The parks greatest natural attraction is undoubtedly the forest of black Mediterranean pines which are combined with holm, cork gall and Pyrenean oaks.
Fuente de Piedra Lagoon
This nature reserve os located in the north west of Malaga, it covers 1,364 hectares and includes part of a village called Fuente de Piedra, and is one of several wetlands which can be found in the antequerra area. The actual lagoon itself is one of Andalusia’s largest and is an ideal breeding place for the pink flamingo, as well as numerous other bird species. Visitors to the reserve can take particular advantage of the special paths adapted to observe a flamingo colony and is the second largest in Europe. The old walls of the dikes and canals which were once used to remove the salt from the lagoon are now provide an essential to the nesting habits of the flamingos and other aquatic birds, such as the greylag goose and the shoveller duck to name a but a few.