{"id":2485,"date":"2020-08-11T08:45:49","date_gmt":"2020-08-11T08:45:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hellehollis.com\/en\/blog\/?p=2485"},"modified":"2024-09-04T11:49:26","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T09:49:26","slug":"the-best-nature-parks-in-andalucia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hellehollis.com\/blog\/en\/the-best-nature-parks-in-andalucia.htm","title":{"rendered":"The best nature parks in Andaluc\u00eda"},"content":{"rendered":"

When many people think of Andaluc\u00eda, they will often picture the Costa del Sol, historic cities, and brilliant beaches. While all this is certainly waiting for you in this most wonderful of Spanish regions, Andaluc\u00eda is also home to a plethora of incredible nature parks. That\u2019s right, this area of southern Spain is a nature lover\u2019s paradise, featuring vast protected areas of unspoilt natural beauty. To give you a taste of what to expect when your trip is possible, we have highlighted some of the best nature parks in Andaluc\u00eda, all perfect to visit with a convenient car hire in Malaga<\/a>. So, if you enjoy hikes, animal watching, or just getting lost in nature, take a look and discover the many natural beauty escapes of Andaluc\u00eda.<\/p>\n

Montes de Malaga Nature Park<\/h2>\n

\"Montes<\/p>\n

Malaga Mountains, also known as Montes de Malaga Nature Park, is the ideal wilderness escape for those visiting the city. After exploring the delights of the town and relaxing on its beautiful beaches, a change of pace can certainly be found in Malaga Mountains. Lying in the heart of Malaga\u2019s coastal mountain range, the park features pine forests and valleys with the Guadalmedina river crossing through it.<\/p>\n

The area is home to a lovely mix of wildlife and bird watching<\/a> is particularly popular, with eagles and sparrow hawks frequently spotted. Montes de Malaga is also the ideal location for cycling \u2013 something that many choose to take advantage of. Describing the scenery during her time biking in the park, blogger Stefania van Lieshout said: \u201cThe Montes de Malaga is a protected natural area, where almond trees blossom. Oaks, olive trees and pines ensure beautiful greenery throughout the year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese mountain passes are not only popular among cyclists, motorists also enjoy driving here because the route is truly spectacular, on the first part to the Puerto de la Bolina you have fantastic mountain views and from the Puerto del Leon there are sweeping views overlooking the infinite blue of the Mediterranean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas<\/h2>\n

\"Sierra<\/p>\n

At a vast 2,099 sq km, Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas<\/a> is Spain\u2019s biggest protected area. Situated north of Ja\u00e9n, visitors to this special park can look forward to incredible mountain scenery with beautiful valleys, picturesque villages and a host of wildlife.<\/p>\n

Ian Rutter, from the Spanish-based blog Two South of Granada<\/a>, has spent time at the park and shared with us what he thinks makes it so special: \u201cAs with many of the other natural and national parks in Andaluc\u00eda, a visit to the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas takes the traveller back to a time when wildlife dominated, and not mankind. To be surrounded by such natural beauty, wilderness, vast skies and dramatic mountain-scapes is both breathtaking and humbling.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough we had unfortunate weather when we visited between Christmas and New Year, this area is gorgeous regardless. Take time to plan as many hikes as you can to embrace the variety of the surroundings. Prepare by popping into the visitor centre<\/a> at Torre del Vinagre and learn something about the wildlife that inhabits these mountains and gorges, and pick up maps and leaflets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel, from the aptly named all things Andaluc\u00eda blog Andaluc\u00eda Explorer<\/a>, is also fond of Sierra de Cazorla, sharing with us what she thinks makes it stand out: \u201cThe Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park is a stunning, vast area of wilderness, Mediterranean forest, gentle streams and the peaceful Tranco Reservoir with its solar-powered boat that drifts along. If you\u00b4re lucky and can get an early morning or dusk sailing you might see deer, wild boar and mountain goats drinking from its shores.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing the largest natural area in Spain, and second-largest in Europe it is also within my \u00b4home\u00b4 province. This biosphere reserve takes the breath away and restores the soul. This is not an area to rush through but for \u00b4slow travel\u00b4 to appreciate its diversity and beauty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cabo de Gata-N\u00edjar Natural Park<\/h2>\n

\"Cabo<\/p>\n

With the sun of southern Spain beating down so consistently, the coast becomes a natural retreat. But is it possible to combine Andaluc\u00eda beaches and nature parks in one? It certainly is with Cabo de Gata-N\u00edjar Natural Park<\/a>, a 70km stretch of dramatic coastline. This park is Andaluc\u00eda\u2019s largest coastal protected area, featuring wild landscape, that imbues one with the feeling of total isolation. This part of Spain features Europe\u2019s only hot desert climate and also boasts ancient geological features such as high volcanic heads that separate the beaches.<\/p>\n

Due to its coastal flavour, water sports and lazy beach days are the name of the game. The beach known as Playa de los Genoveses<\/a> is 1,200 metres long and is unspoilt by buildings or manmade features of any kind. There are also plenty of coastal trails in Cabo de Gata to explore as well for those who fancy stretching their legs.<\/p>\n

Sierra Nevada<\/h2>\n

\"Sierra<\/p>\n

Yet another majestic nature park in Andaluc\u00eda is the Sierra Nevada. This mountainous area (the second highest in Europe), located in the province of Granada, provides truly staggering scenery and an epic backdrop for your holiday. Not many people will link snow and Southern Spain in their heads but in the Sierra Nevada this is what you can expect with a brilliant ski season to look forward \u2013 we have written about why you should ski in the Sierra Nevada<\/a> in a previous piece. There are also myriad hiking trails<\/a> to enjoy in the park, allowing you to escape into nature, becoming immersed in Andaluc\u00eda\u2019s wildlife, and on clear days enjoy spectacular views of the coast from your elevated position.<\/p>\n

The strength of Andaluc\u00eda\u2019s nature parks is their geographic diversity and the Sierra Nevada is a perfect example of this. But even if skiing or hiking isn\u2019t your thing, with the area\u2019s natural beauty and the fun activities<\/a> that can be enjoyed like caving, kayaking, and mountain biking, there\u2019s plenty to look forward to.<\/p>\n

Do\u00f1ana<\/h2>\n

\"Flamengos<\/p>\n

Do\u00f1ana National Park in Huelva is home to a gorgeous expanse of wetlands, also well known for its migratory birds, coastal dunes, and towering pine forests. Do\u00f1ana is an important refuge for migratory birds, seeing half a million flock to its confines. As such, it\u2019s a bird lover\u2019s paradise, with a chance to spot the likes of flamingos and stalks. Comprised of two parks in total, Do\u00f1ana contains a 542 sq km national park with a 538 sq km natural park acting as a protective buffer.<\/p>\n

Discovering Do\u00f1ana<\/a> are experts in the area, offering tours for those wanting to get the most out of their visit. Speaking to us about what you can look forward to at the park, the team said: \u201cNo other park in Spain features such a large variety of ecosystems and landscapes. Beaches and mobile sand dunes, pine and cork oak forests, lagoons and marshes. Derived from this, Do\u00f1ana offers a very rich collection of wildlife. The Spanish Imperial Eagle and the Iberian lynx stand out of it as two of the emblems of the park which supports some of the most important populations of these two endangered species.<\/p>\n

\u201cRed deer, fallow deer, wild boar, red fox, badger and many other smaller mammals abound in forests areas. Do\u00f1ana is well known for supporting one of the most important populations of Iberian lynx, considered as one of the most endangered species of feline in the world. The forests in the north of the Park we go through, offer the highest density of them.<\/p>\n

Beach lovers also have a lot to look forward to, as the team describe: \u201cA 30 km long sandy beach along the Atlantic Coast is considered to be the largest undisturbed and unspoiled beach in Spain. The mobile dune complex associated with it produce landscapes of outstanding beauty that you will see nowhere else in our country. A succession of dune lines move inland, being pushed by the wind along with small pine forests, keeping an amazing natural balance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ecosystem that covers most of the Park and gives its most important character is the marshland. The Guadalquivir Marshes are the second-largest wetlands in Europe and offer refuge to a long list of aquatic species that use Do\u00f1ana as their wintering quarters or to reproduce.<\/p>\n

Nature parks to visit in Andaluc\u00eda<\/h4>\n