Excursion to Antequera, discover El Torcal in one day
On tour by the Sierra de las Nieves, tourism in the heart of Malaga
Between the Serrania de Ronda in Malaga and the Mediterranean we can find the Sierra de las Nieves National Park, which includes the wonderful villages of El Burgo, Monda, Tolox, Parauta, Yunquera and Ronda.
This mountain houses deep ravines and spectacular cliffs like the one of Caina, with more than 100 metres of drop. We will also see a variety of animals, which is a result of both the medium and high mountain landscapes and its location in the migratory route of the Strait.
This park also includes the most impressive forest of fir, a species that you will only see in the South of the Peninsula and the North of Morocco. In the Park, live protected species, such as the golden eagle, the wild cat or the otter.
How to get there?
From Malaga, by the A-357, first, and then by the A-354 that links to Casarabonela and Alozaina or by the A-355 heading to Coín and from there reach Monda and Ojén or Tolox and Alozaina by the A-366. From Ronda, through the A-366 heading to El Burgo and Yunquera. From Marbella, by the A-355, that leads to Ojén and then connects with the rest of the villages, or by the A-7176, heading to Istán. In addition, the Pablo Ruiz Picasso International Airport (Malaga) as well as the AVE station María Zambrano are just forty minutes away from two of the towns that serve as a gateway to the Sierra de las Nieves, Monda and Casarabonela.
What is there to see?
Ojén Viewpoint
On the road that goes up from Marbella heading to Ojén, just before the entrance to this last village there is a viewpoint where you get a magnificent view of the town. It’s a good starting point for entering in the Moorish path of its streets and get involved by the many glimmers of great beauty that you will find or to complete any of the many hiking routes that cross ancient roads and link the nearby villages of the region.
Al- Ándalus Cultural Centre, Guaro
The Al-Ándalus Municipal Cultural Centre is located in the town of Guaro, shortly before reaching the Spring of San Isidro Labrador. It’s a cultural group that consists of the Ethnographic Museum of Oil on the top floor, the Tourist Office and visitor reception on the ground floor and an Andalusian patio, dedicated to the celebration of different events (concerts, receptions, exhibitions…) in the rear of the building.
Remains of the Arab castle, Casarabonela
The remains of the Arab Castle of Casarabonela are located in the upper part of the village. Its strategic location favoured its conditioning as tourist viewpoint.
Of the 9th century fortress, Qasr Bunayra, four towers and stretches of wall remain. It’s considered Property of Cultural Interest and includes an interpretation centre.
Watch Tower El Castillo
Half kilometre from the town centre, heading to El Burgo, is located the Watch Tower, built in the 16th century and called in Yunquera ‘El Castillo’ (the Castle), where the Sierra de las Nieves information centre is located. Its construction is almost cylindrical and is closed on the outside by a spherical cap. In its walls made of masonry, bell-shaped openings, made like this to provide a good defence to the structure.
Apiflora
Apiflora will be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. It’s not every day that you put in a bee-keeper costume and learn on-site the curiosities of these small friends. Watch the bees working while they collect honey entering and exiting the hives.
Know the snow wells
Snow has always been a prized, scarce and difficult to obtain resource. Therefore, in Sierra de las Nieves its presence has been very common. In them, the ice dealers accumulated in Spring the snow that fell in Winter to have reservations during the Summer and to prepare or preserve food. There are still wells in the Park, some of them have been recovered and reconstructed so this old craft does not fall into oblivion.
Things to do in Sierra de las Nieves.
Hiking in Sierra de las Nieves
El Burgo – El Dique
The route begins in a lane of the entrance bridge to El Burgo, surrounded by poplars and olive groves. You will have to follow the course of the river and, after 2 km, you will find the dam of El Dique, an area where, in Summer, it is very common to take a swim. A few metres further down, you will find the dam of El Largo that is smaller.
Benahavís – Las Angosturas
The route begins in the Tres Pérgolas viewpoint where you can park your car. You will go through the incredible wooden bridge that was installed to cross the river and up for about 200 metres until the road of the canal. The path that it’s next to it is well signposted with wooden poles and metal gratings in the points where it crosses the canal.
Caving in the Cave of the Excéntricas
The beautiful Cave of the Excéntricas is located in the village of Igualeja. It’s not very big, but its karstic formations make it one of the most beautiful. Its underground landscapes provide all types of cavities and chasms, where you’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, fistulas and eccentric, that give name to the cave.
Multiadventure at Puente de la Ventilla
Enjoy the many activities offered by the Multiadventure of Puente de la Ventilla. It’s located right at the gates of one of Andalucia National Parks, the Sierra de las Nieves. You can try the death slide, archery, slide in a rappel of more than 20 m and even climb in a climbing wall placed in the walls of the bridge.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Fuerte Grazalema
Fuerte Hoteles is the best option to stay if what you visit is the south of Spain. The chain has establishments where you can enjoy the best of each point in the Andalusian geography. Its 60 years of experience are the guarantee to spend your time discovering those natural corners. If you travel to the Sierra de las Nieves nothing better than staying in Fuerte Grazalema.
