The Sierras de Alcaparaín and Aguas are a Red Natura 2000 area geographically positioned almost centrally in Malaga province. Spread over 5,600 hectares, it is located close to other SAC areas; about 8 kilometres southwest of the Sierra de las Nieves and Sierra Blanquilla, and the river of Guadalhorce, Fahalas and Pereilas; and less than 2 kilometres away from the Sierras de Abdalajís (east) and La Encantada Sur (north). It is therefore able to maintain a certain ecological connectivity since their proximity facilitates the movement of species through a somewhat naturalised matrix.

The territorial scope of the SAC is a kind of a kidney-shaped mass, orientated in an east-west direction. It encompasses the Sierras de Alcaparaín to the west, and the Baños and Aguas ranges at the opposite end, separated by a narrower area of smaller elevations and divided transversely by the Arroyo de Las Cañas, one of the most important tributaries of the River Guadalhorce. Here there are habitats and species wholly dependent on running water.

The peaks are not relevant solely because of their altitude. The Valdivia peak is the highest point in the entire protected area (1,293 metres) next to El Grajo (1,168 metres), located just 500 metres from it. Due to the proximity, there are those who affirm that “Alcaparaín” refers to both peaks, given that the Arabic origin of the word appears to mean “two peaks”. However, when accessing the highest parts of the mountains, the most striking thing about the massif is the vast plateau, Llanos de Alcaparaín, dominating the landscape and making it very attractive area to visit. In the Sierra de Aguas area, the maximum altitude is at the Sierra Agua vertex (949 metres), where a wind park has been installed to take advantage of the favourable wind exposure.

The unique composition and lithological structure of these mountain ranges are a world away from others nearby, due to the mining operations that once went on in the area, some particularly unusual, such as the chrome, nickel, iron and diamond mines. With respect to the materials that form them, the group is in a complex geological location of contact between the external and internal areas of the Betic mountain range, with a large outcrop of peridotites in Sierra de Aguas. Where different variants of the peridotitic series do not appear en masse, ancient Paleozoic metamorphic rocks predominate, though they are quite deformed, with banded gneisses, schists and phyllites being the most representative. Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks also appear, especially in the western part of the protected area.

This wide, complex lithological diversity is related to the genesis of the area and the displacement suffered from west to east by the Alboran sub-plate, until its collision with the Iberian and African plates. It was precisely due to this collision and the colossal forces of friction and compression that originated, that multiple changes, alterations and deformations of the materials that respond to the peculiar lithological situation seen today came about.

The variety of materials that emerge as a result, has generated a great number of soil types that in turn produce a rich flora. The areas with ultramafic rocks being those that condition the distribution of certain plant species due to their high content of metals and high levels of concentrations of certain mineral compounds. Several botanical elements stand out in the SAC for both their uniqueness and reduced area of distribution. Galium viridiflorum , found in Sierra de Aguas, is a rare rubiaceous species listed in Annex II of the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Law, and also in the Andalusian Catalogue of Threatened Species. So is the Armeria villosa subsp. carratracensis (referring to the town of Carratraca) and Silene fernandezii, . Their distribution is largely due to close adaptation to the soils generated from peridotites altered by atmospheric agents. This is what is known as edaphoendemism, which is essentially plants capable of surviving under extremely restrictive soil conditions rarely tolerated by other species. In addition to these unique cases, the SAC is also home to other equally interesting plants, including Sarcocapnos baetica , the orchid Ophrys Atlántica and Linaria clementei . With there being limited distributions adapted to rupicolous environments south of the Iberian Peninsula, this SAC is a good place to see fascinating

Vegetation plays a key role in the hydrological regulation of the area through erosion control, sediment retention, and soil stabilisation. Since the Special Area of Conservation includes up to nine public forests, with a surface area that represents 77% of the total, the forest formations tend to be dominated by reforestation pine forests, composed mainly of Aleppo pines on limestone and dolomite soils, such as those found in Alcaparaín, or Aleppo pines, stone pines and pinus pinaster in peridottic areas. The mixed scrub that covers a multitude of enclaves within the SAC acquires an important role supporting the soil, especially in those places with steeper slopes, with surfaces covered invariably in rockrose, rosemary, thyme, gorse, juniper, kermes oak, lavender and many more species of similar scope.

In relation to fauna, this SAC provides numerous favourable habitats for species linked, above all, to predominantly rocky or forest environments. Numerous ridges, cliffs and divisions in the rock face facilitates the nesting of certain birds such as the golden eagle, Bonelli´s eagle, the peregrine falcon, red-billed chough, Eurasian eagle owl and passerines, among many others. Within the forest areas, the tawny owl, northern goshawk and hawk are some of the most interesting birds to be seen. Mammals in this environment are well adapted to living among the rocks, under the cover and protection of the forest, and taking advantage of existing scrub and grassland formations. The wild goat, wild boar, fox, genet, marten, badger and rabbit are all part of the array of fauna associated with this SAC. It also includes various species of cave-dwelling bats, who find temporary shelter in the old abandoned mines and dilapidated buildings as well.

Currently there are no public facilities offered within the SAC, limiting recreational visits to those who practice activities such as mountain biking, hiking or caving. Please keep in mind that there are innumerable important species and habitats within the area. Should you decide to enter it, you must be extremely respectful of the environment to avoid altering it in any way. Therefore, please inform yourself in advance of the restrictions, limitations or prohibitions that may be in force, (especially during the reproductive season of the protected fauna), and do not carry out any type of installation of fixed or permanent elements in the area without the proper authorisation. Nearly the entire surface of the SAC is part of the Andalusia-Morocco Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean, due to its extremely valuable environmental values; so please do not put them in danger.