As you enter the Sierra de Baza natural park, you will see how the landscape and climate contrasts with its steppe surroundings. A decrease in temperature, increase in rainfall and difference in altitude nurture the appearance of numerous flora. For this reason, this natural park qualifies as a bioclimatic island.

Its elevated position between plains allows you to enjoy impressive views from almost anywhere. From the Narváez viewpoint, there are beautiful views of Santa Bárbara, which at more than 2,300 metres is the highest peak in the park.

As aforementioned, the difference in altitude, climate and type of relief provokes the existence of a number of different plant formations. In the high mountains, there are large indigenous pine forests such as Scots pine and Black pine, which are succeeded by Aceraceae (maple family) and reforested pines. At the lower levels, the landscape becomes more human and the remains of old holm oaks are interspersed with growing areas.

In autumn, the park shines in all its glory. During the day you can scour the mountains for mushrooms and truffles, leaving the spectacle of “bellowing” for the evening; the act of deer starting off the mating season with loud bellowing to attract females. The fights between males are frequent, and therefore the clashing of antlers is often heard.

Culture-wise, the park has much to offer:

- Archaeological sites from the Paleolithic era dot the park. Unfortunately their high number does not correspond to the quality of the material remains that have been preserved. Most of the uncovered remains are kept in the Baza Municipal Archaeological Museum.

- The wealth of different metals allowed the development of populations in the interior of the mountains that remained there until the 50s, thanks also to livestock and agriculture. You can still visit the old areas of mining activity, for example, in the surroundings of Calar de Santa Bárbara.

- A look at the attractive old towns is also highly recommended. Abandoned and in a state of ruin, they are perfectly incorporated into the environment, with thick stone walls that insulated residents from the cold of the mountain and large fireplaces in each house. El Tesorero, El Raposo and Los Mellizos are beautiful examples of these towns.

If your interest is purely sporting, we recommend the GR-7, a long distance trail that crosses through the Sierra de Baza natural park, on its way from Andorra to the Strait of Gibraltar. It boasts 36 kilometres of forest tracks and pathways that allow visitors to cross the mountain range from south to north. Starting from Charches, a town just on the edge of the natural park, you can reach one of the most beautiful areas of this mountain range, Prados del Rey, which is a green meadow surrounded by the remains of a pine forest that has only survived in that area thanks to the intense cold conditions.