This natural park in southwestern Spain is named after the city of Grazalema. Because the mountain ranges that run from the southwest to the northeast retain the moist air from the Atlantic Ocean, almost two meters of precipitation falls here per year. This creates unique flora and fauna.
Natural Park of the Sierra de Grazalema
The park is located on the territory of the provinces of Andalusia and Cadiz. For example, you can fly to Málaga airport. It has been recognized as a park since 1977 and covers an area of more than fifty thousand hectares. The park is part of a chain called the Cordillera Subbetica. Other areas that are also included are, for example, the Sierra de Zafalgar, the Pina and the Endrinal Caillo. This park is located between the provinces of Cadiz and Malaga. This is where the most precipitation falls on the entire Iberian Peninsula. The park is named after the city of Grazalema.
Ronda, also worth it
The city of Ronda is located east of the Sierra de Grazalema. The Guadalevín River cuts through this location with over thirty thousand inhabitants. It is definitely worth it because of the picturesque pictures. Ronda is particularly known for a number of bridges built over the gorge that bisects the city. This gorge is called the Tajo de Ronda. Ronda can be used as a base for exploring the Sierra de Grazalema. and also to visit the Sierra de las Nieves, also called the Snow Mountains.
The mountain range and the rain
The park is crossed by a number of parallel mountains, running from south-southwest to northeast-east. These mountains are separated from each other by deep valleys. The highest peak is the Sierra del Pinar at over 1650 meters. These parallel mountains form walls of stone that block the clouds of the Atlantic Ocean. This area receives more than two meters of precipitation per year. This makes the Sierra de Grazelma the most humid place on the southern Iberian Peninsula, which one would not think based on dry summers.
Typical features of the Sierra de Grazalema
Because this Sierra consists mainly of limestone, many ravines and caves can be found here. An example is the Cueva del Gato (the ‘Cave of the Cat’) which houses an underground stream. After five thousand meters underground, it joins the water in the Guadiaro River. Also consider the Cueva de la Pileta, where you can admire underground paintings with the help of candles. One of the most beautiful gorges is the Garganta Verde. This passage ensures that the water from the Sierra del Pinar can be drained.
Fauna
The Sierra de Grazalema is home to one of the largest colonies of griffon vultures in Europe. In addition, a number of owl pairs and other endangered species live here. This includes mountain goats, a number of bird species and a native crayfish.
Facilities
The park has more than sufficient facilities. There are hiking trails of over a hundred kilometers, there are four recreational areas and the park houses a campsite. There is also a botanical garden and even two different visitor centers. The region has no fewer than three ecological museums. The long distance hiking trail GR-7 that runs from Andorra to the Strait of Gibraltar also crosses this park.
A small selection from the facilities on offer:
- Visitor centre: El Bosque.
- Visitor centre: Cortes de la Frontera.
- Eco-museum and the interpretation center of Speleology. Montejaque
- Botanical Garden Castillejo. El Bosque (Cádiz)
- Camping Tajo roller in Grazalema
- Recreational areas: The Cañitos (the forest), Los Llanos del Campo (Benamahoma), The Cintillo (Benaocaz) and The Covezuelas (Novo Sancti Petri).
- Viewpoints: El Cintillo (Benaocaz),
- Puerto de los Acebuches (Zahara de la Sierra), Puerto de las Palomas (Grazalema) y Puerto del Boyar (Grazalema).
Cultural Heritage
Here you will find many remains from Roman times. An example of this is the Roman ruins of Ocuri. Around 1800, remains of walls, large baths, a forum and a number of houses were found here. This city used to be called Columbarium. The so-called white villages in this region are home to a wealth of archaeological finds. The oldest sites date back to the Bronze Age. There is also an abundance of medieval and Islamic ruins. Knowledge about old crafts is kept alive in this region. This includes weaving baskets, working with leather and weaving woolen blankets.