Nature Parks in the South of Spain. Granada

Sierra de Baza

Granda and Sierra Nevada is not only known for the world-famous the Alhambra and the skiing paradise Sierra Nevada. It also has Sierra de Baza Nature Park. The nature park is 53,649 hectares. There the highest mountain is Sierra de Baza. The mountain peaks reaching 2,200 metres, which stands on the arid plain of Las Hoyas de Guadix-Baza. It is relatively fertile and its vegetation includes several types of pine, with holm oak and, on the higher areas, gall oak, maple and stands of mountain ash.

The park is home to nearly a hundred species of wild flowers exclusive to the Iberian Peninsula, including the rare dianthus, immortelle and primrose. There are also numerous birds of prey, badgers, weasels, wildcats and genets. It has 17 species of reptiles and eight of amphibians.

The Sierra Nevada is snow-capped for much of the year and offers skiing from November until late May. As it is less than two hours’ drive from Marbella town on the coast, it is possible to spend the morning skiing in the snow and the afternoon sunbathing on the beach.

 Sierra Nevada Nature Park.

 During the rest of the year the Sierra Nevada Nature Park offers walkers endless opportunities. The Park has been declared a Preserve of the Biosphere by UNESCO, and its mountains are the highest in the Iberian Peninsula. Vegetation varies with altitude, from the bottom of the valley upwards.

There are groves of holm oak, oak, mountain pine and thickets of thorny shrub. The variety of high mountain flora is exceptional and visitors can find numerous endemic species. Of the 2,000 species of flora catalogued in this area, over 15 per cent are nationally endemic, and about a hundred are exclusive to this area. If you are interested in geology, visit the Laguna de la Caldera glacial lagoon. There are many lovely family hostels and hotels in the area, so you can relax in this beautiful mountain.

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