Points of interest:

This park is just 5km from Málaga and consists of hills and mountain with a high point of 1031m. The highest road pass is Puerto de León at 960m. There are many streams that cut through the park and fall into the Guadalmedina river to the west. The slopes are planted with pines and offer views of the Mediterranean and coast. The natural trees and scrub were removed to allow for cultivation in the 16thC. At this time olive trees and vines were planted but this caused a major problem for the city of Málaga. Clearing the ground allowed water erosion, which silted up the river course and created flash flooding of the city below. This problem was eased around 1930 by the mass planting of Aleppo pines. Many country restaurants or “Ventas” can be found through the park making it an extremely busy retreat from the city at weekends and bank holidays.

Flora:

In the northern area of the park natural vegetation of Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), Wild olives (Olea europaea subsp. oleaster), Holm (Quercus ilex), Cork (Quercus suber) and Gall oaks (Quercus faginea) occur. Otherwise Aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis) are planted to secure the land. Other pines found here are Stone pine (Pinus pinea) and Monterey pine from California.

Lower shrubs include Mastic tree (Pistacia lentisc), Strawberry tree (arbutus unedo), Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), Prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus), Oleander (Nerium oleander) , Myrtle (Myrtus communis), Dwarf fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), Rockrose (Cistus ladanifer), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and Thyme (thymus vulgaris).

Fauna:

The Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) comes top of the list for animals in the park. There are very few areas of suitable habitat left in Iberia for this unusual lizard. Other reptiles are spine-footed lizards, ocellated lizards, salamanders and geckos.

Mammals include Wild boar, Fox, Badger, Polecat, Genet, Weasel, Stone martin, Wild cat, Squirrel, Hedgehog and Rabbit.

Birdlife includes Short-toed and Booted eagles, Goshawk, Buzzard, Eagle, Barn and Tawny owl. Some of the smaller birds are Cuckoo, Thrush, Redwing, Green woodpecker, Jay, Woodpigeon, Red legged partridge, and sometimes Ring Ouzels in winter. The Firecrest is often seen as are all Tits. Nightingales living by the waterways can be heard in summer.

Also in the area:

In the Piedras de Cabrera area there are cave paintings in small scattered caverns. Malaga city has historic buildings such as the Cathedral and ruins like the Roman amphitheatre and Arab fortress with city walls.

In Casabermeja the only Moorish remains are walls and the Zambra Tower.

Megalithic burial chambers have been found in the hills of Lagar de Villanueva and Chapera, as well as near the Cortijo del Hospital.

Information/Visitors Centers:

Ethnological museum "Lagar de Torrijos" On the road from Malaga to Colmenar (C-345) Km 544.