Montes de Málaga

Location

To the north of the city of Malaga, almost completely surrounding the city, stands the Malaga Mountains Natural Park (Parque Natural Montes de Málaga). Rich in vegetation and fauna, it is better known for its country restaurants serving cured meats, local wines or those from neighbouring villages, and the typical mountain dish of French fries or breadcrumbs with spicy pork sausage and eggs. The Verdiales dance festivals are generally held here. The park is located in an area of abundant mountain streams ranging in altitude between 91 and 1,031 metres above sea level and covers 4,762 hectares. Its unusual landscape of hills and the small valleys which have formed between them, normally populated by pine trees, confer upon the area a special beauty rarely found in other mountainous regions.

Flora

Most of the area is occupied by Aleppo pine reafforestation. In the north, Aleppo pines coexist alongside holm oaks, cork oaks and gall oaks, Mediterranean species which were abundant here before their numbers dramatically dwindled. Also to be found are the lentisk, carob, kermes oak, madronno, olive and almond tree, as well as other conifers such as the umbrella pine and Monterrey pine.

Fauna

This is one of the few enclaves where the chameleon is still to be found. The polecat, weasel, wild cat, marten and wild boar also inhabit the area. Worthy of special mention among the mountains’ many birds of prey are the Hieraetus pennatus, sparrow hawk, snake and mouse eagles, goshawk and golden eagle. The most characteristic animal species are the genet, badger, fox, polecat and weasel, in addition to a considerable number of long-tailed species.