The National and Natural Park of Sierra Nevada
The Natural Space of Sierra Nevada, formed by the national park and the natural park of the same name, impresses because it is an extensive mountain massif with a compact relief and holding the highest peak of the Iberian Peninsula, the Mulhacén with 3.482 meters. Integrated in the Penibetic mountain range, it goes from the Southeast of Granada to the western end of Almeria. Due to its great landscape variety and its exclusive natural values, it has obtained different figures of protection. In addition of being Natural Park and National Park, it’s recognized internationally as Reserve of the Biosphere.
The climatology and the difference of altitudes have made possible the growing inside of it of a great number of plants, specially adapted to difficult conditions. In High Mountain, such as in Veleta or in Tajo de los Machos, to the refuge of rocky places and among the natural crevices in the rocks, you can enjoy the identification of exclusive species such as the violet of Sierra Nevada or the star of the snows. At this altitude we can also find beautiful valleys of glacial origin such as the one named Siete Lagunas. At medium altitude we mostly find forest landscapes of deciduous leaf made by quercus pyrenaica wild, pales, wild cherry trees and chestnut trees. These forests change the physiognomy of the landscape through the seasons; during autumn they start to lose the leaf and ocher colors predominate, but with the arrival of
the spring and the resurgence of the new shoots, the intense greens arrive. Already in the down stages we find the oak groves such as the Montenegro and, finally, the riverside forests that come with the river beds.
This vegetal and climate variety determinates a great fauna richness. In the high mountain we can see the flight of the alpine accentor, the blue rock thrush or the red-billed chough. Keeping silence, between the shadows of the riverbed forest, it is possible to see the dipper, the golden oriole or the striking common kingfisher. The majestic golden eagle, anytime, can also fly through its skies.
Sheltered by the expanse of forest and the dense bushes, we find a large community of mammals such as wild boar, fox, badger or genet. Among them, without a doubt, the Spanish ibex, very widespread in these mountains, can be seen from the Valley of the River Dílar or the Poqueira ravine, climbing up the hillsides or in the top of the rocks. The community of invertebrates is also very representative; there are many species which are exclusive of this environment, among them, more than twenty species of butterflies and more than thirty species of beetles.
Tartessus, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans settled these environments but, without a doubt, the Arabs were the ones that left an important legacy which still survive in architecture and irrigation systems, such as the irrigations ditches. In respect to architecture, we must highlight the outstanding villages of the Alpujarra, characterized by their white houses, placed in the hillsides of the mountains, small windows, flat roofs, slender chimneys and the porches named “tinaos” which cover from side to side the roads.
It is very important the tourist industry developed around this zone. Enthusiast of skiing, mountaineering, fishing or trekking find here an adequate place of leisure where to enjoy their holydays.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE NATIONAL PARK
Provinces: Almeria, Granada
Villages: Abla, Abrucena, Alboloduy, Alsodux, Bayarcal, Beires, Canjayar, Fiñana, Fondon, Laujar de Andarax, Nacimiento, Ohanes, Paterna del Rio, Ragol, Tres Villas (las), Aldeire, Alpujarra de La Sierra, Berchules, Bubion, Busquistar, Cañar, Capileira, Dilar, Dolar, Durcal, Ferreira, Guejar-sierra, Hueneja, Jerez del Marquesado, Juviles, Lanjaron, Lanteira, Lecrin, Lugros, Monachil, Nevada, Niguelas, Pampaneira, Portugos, Soportujar, Taha (la), Trevelez, Valor, Zubia (la)
Extension: 85.883 ha.
Declaration date: 14th of January of 1999
In the Reception Desk there is a great amount of information about. Ask for it.
Three important issues of Sierra Nevada
TREK THE sulayr Path (IN THE INFORMATION envelope of the caves you’ve ben handled the map)
Sulayr, the mountain of the sun, is the name the Arabs gave to Sierra Nevada and it has been the one chosen to name the circular biggest path of Spain. Its 300 kilometers of route are divided in 19 stages, through which you’ll discover the beauty and singularity of it landscape and villages. The paths, sidewalks and livestock roads where it takes place are connected with other equipments of public use such as the visitors center El Dornajo or the botanic garden La Cortijuela which shall permit you extend your knowledge about the space.
VISIT THE REGION OF THE MARQUESADO
Sierra Nevada is one of the biggest natural spaces of the country, but it also hides an interesting cultural legacy which is worth a visit. The region of the Marquesado del Zenete is an example of this cultural richness. Headed by Jeres del Marquesado, the route through these villages shall bring you to castles such as the one of La Calahorra, or Dólar, Christian and Mozarabic chapels and churches and Arab Baths such as the one of Aldeire or Dólar. All in all, in these lands you’ll find interesting historic-cultural itineraries to discover, with the background of the beautiful summits of Sierra Nevada.
MEET the almeria’s ALPUJARRA
Less known than the one of Granada, the Alpujarra of Almeria still keeps the Moorish smell in the houses of its villages, fountains, irrigation ditches and channels. The river Andarax, born in the surroundings of Laujar de Andarax and flowing into Almeria, vertebrates this entire region. Its valley is full of vegetable gardens in plots, also part of the Arab heritage. In winter, the snow and almond and cherry trees’ flowers cover the horizon of this beautiful region chosen by the king Boabdil as his residence.
