In the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, you will find the Pico del Torrecilla, one of the highest peaks in Malaga. With its 6,296 feet in height, the ascent is a challenge for mountaineers and hikers. But the effort pays off: unique landscapes and spectacular views of the surrounding, declared Biosphere Reserve and ‘European Destinations of Excellence' award winner in the category of Tourism and Intangible Heritage. This park has 7,413 acres of pinsapos, also known as Spanish firs, a unique tree in danger of extinction which was listed for science by the Swiss botanist Pierre Edmond Boissier in 1838.
For the climb to Torrecilla peak, we suggest you take the path that starts from the Recreation Area of Quejigales. A 4.5 miles route through the hilly landscape among ancient trees, fascinating karst formations and snowfields.
A walk among Spanish firs and gall oaks
The first stop on the itinerary is the Cañada del Cuervo and its ancestral pinsapos. These firs, whose origins date back to the Ice Age, only survive today in the Sierra de las Nieves, the Sierra de Grazalema and Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja Natural Area.
Following the path, you will reach the Puerto de los Pilones, from where you can see the Torrecilla peak, the Cerro Alcazaba, Malaga's coastline and the Mediterranean at the back. In this area gall oaks, an endangered species, appear.
Snowfields and amazing chasms
The Quejigales-Torrecilla route will lead you to one of the snowfields preserved in the mountains. In former days, during the winter, snow used to be stocked in these digs made with stone walls. Then, it was transformed into ice and transported by mules to towns and cities.
Not far from the snowfield is the GESM chasm, the third deepest in the world. This is one of the cavities that draw the underground landscape of this protected area of Malaga, ideal for caving and climbing.
Reaching the top
Before the final climb to the Torrecilla peak, we recommend to take a rest in Pilar de Tolox. Once you have rested, you will have to skirt the mountain towards the Puerto de los Valientes and deal with the 328 feet of a steep slope to reach the top.
Stunning views of the Sierra de las Nieves await you there. The largest pinsapos shelter and natural park which is the habitat of wild goats, roe deer and otters, as well as Royal eagles, Bonelli’s eagles and owls. At that moment, you will realize that the adventure was really worth it.
