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 This Natural Park is near to the Mediterranean sea in southern Spain. The Sierra de las Nieves translates as ‘snowy mountain range’ and in years gone by it received higher quantities of winter snowfall which were used commercially. Ice was created in snow wells and then later transported to towns during the hotter months. The park contains a high peak of 1,919 metres, (6,296 feet) named Torrecilla, which is affected by the cooler winter weather travelling eastwards from the Atlantic ocean. Interestingly exposure to the elements on the higher areas of limestone rock have forced the plants to adapt to extremes of hot, cold, wind as well as grazing by wild life, creating a specialist environment called the hedgehog zone, so named because of the compact, rounded shapes and sharp protective thorns.
The protected area covers a mountainous zone which lies in the province of Malaga and boasts not only a high peak but also an amazing abyss discovered in1972 which is known as “sima GESM Los Hoyos del Pilar” (Grupo de Exploraciones Subterráneas de Málaga). It has a fairly narrow opening and it is only over the last few years that they have re-assessed the depth and discovered unknown corridors and an alternative entrance. In 2006 a research team recorded a new depth measurement of 1,101m which means that it falls to just above sea level. (3,612 feet)
 Further reasons for its protection status are the two unusual tree species which can be seen in the higher areas. One is the Spanish Fir (Abies pinsapo) found on cooler north facing slopes which has been growing in this area since the last glacial period. There are some extremely tall and beautifully gnarled examples and a characteristic trait is that if the growth tip is damaged they can have more than one leading trunk giving them an open crowned appearance. (This type of tree can also be seen in the nearby Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra Bermeja). The other is endemic to south western Spain, it is the Lusitanian oak subspecies - alpestris (Quercus faginea alpestris) which has adapted to the harsh living conditions of high altitude, poor soil quality, winter snow and summer heat. On the lower slopes are Holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia) and Cork oak (Quercus suber) amongst others with under lying scrub that is home to a variety of wild life.
The woodlands are a perfect habitat to a variety of bird species with many actively feeding off insects and seeds in the trees, unflustered by human proximity, such as the Common Crossbill, Chaffinch and Firecrest. Whereas the large raptors such as Golden and Bonelli’s eagles seen soaring in the open skies need great expanses of un-adulterated terrain in which to live and raise their young. The most abundant mammal within the park is the Spanish Ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica), its brown colour allows it to blend well into the mountains and undergrowth but the profile of a long horned male silhouetted on an exposed rock is unmistakeable. Egyptian mongoose and Genet live in the scrub and rocks whilst there are Otters (Lutra lutra) which inhabit the rivers, but these smaller mammals are all incredibly elusive.
During the spring and summer the wide variety of wildflowers are not only pleasing to our eyes but also attract large numbers of butterflies. Areas at the sides of tracks that have had dense shrubs removed are a haven for this colourful combination. Cardinal, Iberian marbled white and Skippers are numerous and a watchful eye may discover Owlfly or Thread-lacewing.
There is an extraordinary single tree in the Istan area of the parkland worthy of mention, it is named Castaño Santo. This is an enormous chestnut tree with a girth that measures almost 14 metres in circumference and it is reputed to be more than 800 years old. Deservedly, Castaño Santo has been declared a Natural Monument by the Junta de Andalucía.
There are three rivers that flow off this mountain range; the Turón which travels through El Burgo going north eastwards to the Guadalhorce reservoir complex. The Rio Grande leaves on the eastern edge and joins into Rio Guadalhorce to meet the Mediterranean near Malaga. The Rio Verde travels southwards and is dammed above Marbella, the reservoir is called La Concepción.
There are no main roads crossing through the parkland, only rough tracks that are not always well sign posted. Access points are via the surrounding towns; to the north is the small village of El Burgo, on the eastern border are Yunquera and Tolox. The latter town is known for its hot spring, which was inaugurated for its medicinal value in 1869. The southern tip of the park reaches Istan whose water and wash houses form a focal point to the village. There are no towns within the western border but a sign posted track leads into the park going to a picnic area and several marked walks, accessed from the main A376 Ronda to San Pedro road.
This area was declared a Natural Park in 1989
The Natural Park surface area is 20,163 hectares
In 1995 the park area and a much larger surrounding border were designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
The 13.5metre diameter chestnut tree, named Castaño Santo
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Sierra de las Nieves
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