Andalucía is one of the most mountainous regions in Spain; a fact
few people who visit the Costa del Sol may realise. It is also excellent
walking country, particularly around Grazalema, which is similarly
ideal for a range of other outdoor activities, including rock climbing,
caving and paragliding. Trout fishing is also popular in the mountainous
regions of Andalucía.
One of the best areas to appreciate the craggy mountain landscape
is the natural park of the ´Sierra de Grazalema´. The best time
to visit is during the spring, early summer or autumn as mid-summer
gets very hot.
The park extends into the northwest of Málaga province where one
of the most famous prehistoric caves is located - Cueva
de Pileta.
This is one of the few places in Spain where the rare Spanish
fir (pinsapo) grows - said to date back more than two million years.
Other vegetation you are likely to find here includes holm oak,
cork oak, gall oak, wild olive and riverside forest. Among the wildlife
are the ibex, chamois, roe deer, mongoose, otter and genet. Birds
of prey include Bonelli's eagle, the magnificent golden eagle, the
Egyptian vulture and one of Europe's largest colonies of common
vultures.
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