Points of interest:

A limestone massif clothed with evergreen oak trees and also home to the rare Abies Pinsapo or Spanish fir. The name refers to the winter snow which was an important commodity. Snow wells can still be seen on the exposed high areas. The snow would be collected by workers, deposited in the hand built, deep hollows. The snow was compacted, creating ice to be removed later in blocks and delivered to the coast on mule or donkey trains.

The summit of Torrecilla is at 1919m altitude and although close to the Mediterranean coast receives higher precipitation due to an Atlantic influence. Not far from the highest point is also the deepest in the form of the G.E.S.M cavern “Los Hoyos del Pilar”. At 1101m deep it ranks in the list of the deepest such casms in the World. (Grupo de Exploraciones Subterráneas de Málaga).

Flora:

Combinations of factors such as climate and limestone relief create habitat zones where specialized plants have adapted. The exposed reaches with little soil contain hedgehog broom (Erinacea anthyllis) together with Andalucian gorse (Ulex baeticus), a hedgehog-shaped crucifer; Hormathophylla spinosa, Spiny hare’s-ears (Bupleurum spinosum), the yellow-flowering Echinospartum boissieri, Woolly lavender (Lavandula lanata), Prostrate cherry (Prunus prostrata) and evergreen milk-vetch (Astragalus granatensis subsp andresmolinae).

Mats of common and Phoenician junipers (Juniperus communis / J. phoenicea) grow a little lower, dropping down into specimens of Yew (Taxus baccata) and huge Spanish firs (Abies pinsapo).

Other trees in the park are oak species Lusitanian oak (Quercus faginea subsp. Alpestris), Holm oak (Q. rotundifolia) and cork oak (Q. suber) with Wild olive, Sweet chestnut, Carob, Aleppo pine, Maritime pine and planted Stone pine. Riparian vegetation contains Ash, Poplar and Willow.

Plants that are endemic to this small area of western Andalucia are Saxifraga bourgeana, Omphalodes commutata, Linaria platycalyx and Ononis reuteri. They occur in Sierra de las Nieves and neighbouring Sierra de Grazalema.

Fauna:

The Spanish Ibex is the most emblematic mammal of the sierra (Capra pyrenaica hispanica), there are also roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) Wild boar, Wild cat and Stone martin. The Mouflon, a type of wild sheep originating in North Africa has been introduced .

Birds of prey include Bonelli's, Booted, Short-toed, and Golden eagle, Scops, Eagle and Tawny owl, Peregrine falcon, Goshawk, Buzzard and Hobby. Amongst the smaller birds are Rock thrush, Blue rock thrush, Ring ouzel, Wryneck, Hawfinch, Ortolan bunting, Wheatear, Black wheatear, Black-eared wheatear and Southern grey shrike.

Crossbill, Crested tit, Tree-creepers, Gold crest and Woodpeckers are numerous in the woodlands.

Also in the area:

Ronda la Vieja contains is a plateau on which are remains of a Roman amphitheatre, recent excavation is revealing pillars and benches of the baths area. Once an important town they minted coins here. Also known as “Acinipo” which mean among the vineyards, although now they are arable fields.

El Tajo, the deep gorge which divides the ever growing town of Ronda is crossed by several bridges. The most famous is the New Bridge built in 1793, it is 98m high and took 42 years to complete. Seldom without bustling crowds of tourists it has a surprising array of birdlife including Red-billed chough, Kestrel, Blue rock thrush and Rock sparrow.

The Arab baths in Ronda are fairly well preserved and an explanatory video (English/Spanish) helps to bring the scene to life.

Near the spa town of Tolox is the Cave of La Tinaja, where pre-historic remains were discovered. There is a small museum in the village.

Information/Visitors Centers:

Information centre- next to the Bull Ring, Ronda town centre.