Located in the southwest part of Malaga province, the Sierra Bermeja
is a mountain range with an average height of 1,000m (its highest
point being 1,450m), covering 1,236ha. It is an area that has undergone
major volcanic activity; the rocks are rich in the olivine mineral.
Rainwater has oxidised the iron and magnesium present in the rocks
and the iron oxide has coloured the rock reddish-ginger, a hue that
gives the sierra its name.
Access
You can drive to near the top of Sierra Bermeja in under an hour.
Take the road signposted Genalguacil from the traffic lights on
the Estepona inner bypass (Avda de Andalucia), near the Mercadona
supermarket. This is the MA 557.
About half an hour after leaving Estepona you will reach "Peñas
Blancas" pass. Turn left following the sign up to "Los
Reales". The tarmac road is old and in a poor state of repair,
however a 4x4 vehicle is not necessary.
From Peñas Blancas pass the road also leads down to Jubrique
and to Genalguacil and on to the Gaucin – Ronda road. In this
way one can make an enjoyable half day drive from Estepona up to
Sierra Bermeja and then returning by Gaucin and Manilva or by Ronda
and San Pedro .
Recreation
On the road near to the summit of Sierra Bermeja there is "Refugio
de los Reales". During the day, you can buy drinks and snacks
here. At night you may seek refuge in the hut, however you will
need a sleeping bag or warm blankets.
Nearby you will find a recreational area with picnic tables and
barbecue facilities. There is also a car park and a short walk leads
to a mirador point.
Footpaths
From the road leading to the summit of Sierra Bermeja and from the
pass a Peñas Blancas there is a marked path for a walk through
the pine forest called “Paseo de los Pinsapos.” The
pine trees are unique to this part of the world (abes pinaspo
boiss).
Flora
The sierra's most notable tree is the pinsapo (Spanish fir), which
only grows in Andalucía in this area and the neighbouring Serranía
de Ronda. It sometimes grows out of the volcanic outcrops, which
is a unique occurrence. Common trees here are maritime and Austrian
pines, cork and kermes oaks, junipers and yew trees. There are some
species of Mediterranean scrubland such as rosemary and dwarf fan
palms. In the rockier, more remote areas there is an endemic species
of garlic, allium rouyi, which was discovered in the sierra in the
late 19th century.
Fauna
The most common mammals are the mountain goat, the roe deer and
the Egyptian mongoose. The species of roe deer (el corzo morisco,
as it is known locally) is unique to the sierras of Malaga and Cadiz
provinces. It is has adapted to a drier habitat and has evolved
different physical features from other roe deer. Less visible are
the otters and wild cats. Raptors nest in the many sheer slopes
and include booted eagles, Griffon vultures, sparrowhawks and eagle
and long-eared owls.
There are many reptiles, including salamanders, toads, the Spanish
terrapin (mauremys leproso), the Iberian worm lizard and the three-toed
skink lizard.
Nearby Villages
Casares
Estepona
Genalguacil
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