Just over 100 years ago the Picos de Europa, in northern Spain, became Spains first National Park. As the National Parks expanded, Andalucia became host for two more of them, the Doñana National Park (Huelva Province) and the Sierra Nevada National Park (Granada Province). Finally, Andalucia is celebrating the classification of it’s 3rd National Park, Spain’s 16th National Park, the Sierra de las Nieves near Ronda, Malaga Province.
The Sierra de las Nieves consists of dramatic and diverse landscape filled with rugged mountains, ancient forests and unique flora/fauna and has a well established reputation of being an area of outstanding natural beauty. Already listed as a Natural Park it has now been elevated to National Park status and deservedly so! This means that the designated National Park area will gain maximum environmental protection and increased Government support. Regulations controlling hunting, fishing, construction and commercial enterprise will be stricter, however, funding for and development of eco-friendly tourism will increase.
Since 2005, the Andalucian Cycling Experience, have known about the stunning beauty and the dramatic landscapes of the Sierra de las Nieves. It has been and will continue to be our absolute pleasure to pass through this area on our road cycling and mountain biking holidays and now, as a new addition, we also offer walking tours in the heart of the newly formed National Park.
Mountain Biking in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park
One of our favourite places to go mountain biking and most enjoyed by our clients is literately in the heart of the newly formed Sierra de las Nieves National Park. We ride up vehicle width gravel tracks to the Puerto de la Mujer where we descend on fantastic fast flowing single track trails through a pine forest covered mountain range. Rock gardens, switch backs, berms, drop offs, this is a dream play ground for all levels of mountain biker.
Road Cycling in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park
Perfectly smooth asphalt, quiet roads and minimal traffic combined with stunning views, dramatic landscape and traditional white villages, this is what road cycling in the Sierra de las Nieves is all about. The terrain is mountainous and the riding challenging but the rewards are well worth the effort! Around every turn and topping every climb is a stunning view. The riding and the views will leave you breathless (in different ways) but also wanting more. We ride through the Sierra de las Nieves on our classic road cycling holidays, winter training camps and our self guided Sporting Tour
Walking Tours in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park
As you’d probably gather from reading the above the walks are challenging but the views are simply stunning. The walk to the Pico de Torecilla, which is the highest mountain in the Malaga province at 1919 meters above sea level, is a true challenge for your walking legs. Only 14k in length but with 1000m of climbing this walk is not to but underestimated, from the summit you can see from Malaga to Gibraltar on the Costa del Sol and from Aloziana to Zahara inland.
