Overview
The Natural Park is part of the Cordillera Penibética located in the northeast of the province of Granada. It covers 53,649ha and is home to high jutting peaks of up to 2,000m along with pine forests. These high peaks are often snow capped during winter and are home to several species of birds of prey including the golden eagle.
Walking
There is a visitor’s centre which provides information on the area. There are also seven signposted walks in the park.
Sightseeing
Cave paintings and Neolithic-Bronze remains can be found in the hills of Cerro Jabalcón.
Outside of the park in Baza, there are Arab baths which date back to the 13th Century.
Geology
The terrain is made up of deep gullies, numerous brooks and of course the mountains which give the park its name.
Animals/Birds
The Sierra’s mountains are the idea habitat for golden eagles, short-toed eagles, booted eagles, Egyptian vultures, peregrines, kestrels and eagle owls. Other birds found within the park are hoopoes, crested larks red-legged partridges and woodpeckers. Records show that around a 100 species of different birds have been recorded here.
Mammals including wild cats, beech martins, genets, wild boar and deer are found here. As well as water snakes, painted and southern toads and the unique to the Hoya de Baza area the Baza butterfly.
Plants
Although some of the Natural Park is quite barren in parts, it is still rich in vegetation. Pine woodland is predominant and consists of mainly Austrian, stone, Aleppo and Corsican species. There are also holm oaks, gall oaks, junipers and Mediterranean scrubland. |
