Hike one of the most challenging peaks in Málaga
Ronda Mountains, Málaga
Mountain Torrecilla is located at the heart of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park and is the uppermost peak in Western Andalucia at 1,919m (6,296 ft) above sea level. To put that into perspective, Ben Nevis: the highest mountain in Britain, is 1,344 metres (4,409 ft).
From the peak you have panoramic views of up to 150 kilometres in any direction. Words cannot cope with the magnificence of the landscape – the most exceptional views! As a result, you can see on clear days the Genal Valley, Sierra Bermeja, the African coast, the Hoya de Málaga, the capital and its bay, Sierra Nevada…
Where is it Mount Torrecilla?
This altitude is located in Tolox. This village belongs to the Natural Park Sierra de las Nieves, part of the Serranía de Ronda in Málaga province of southern Spain. Truly, the Sierra de las Nieves is clearly a good area for hiking. Inside, there are no paved roads, only forest tracks that part of the road linking the villages of the region or from them.
Similarly, apart from this peak in Málaga, on the East side of southern Andalusia, Sierra Nevada boasts several 3000-meter peaks including Mulhacén which is the highest peak in the Iberian Peninsula and the second highest in Spain after Mount Teide in Tenerife (3715m.)
The mountain is available from the Ronda side of the Sierra de las Nieves or the Yunquera side. For instance, by taking the Ronda road from the coast.
The regional government Junta de Andalucia is working to improve the signage for the routes in the area and it is a trail worth it. As you will see, the routes are really well maintained – and as we were driving through we saw environment department staff maintaining the forests minimising fire rosk – looks like Andalucia is no longer taking it natural environment for granted.
Torrecilla: hiking the highest mountain in Málaga
Hike one of the most challenging peaks in Málaga
Mountain La Torrecilla trail: the hike Quejigales-Torrecilla
This trail is one of the best known routes to ascend to the highest peak of the province of Malaga, the Torrecilla (1,919 meters).
- Location: Sierra de las Nieves State Park, 80 miles west of Málaga airport.
- Length: 16-mile out-and-back
- Difficulty Rating: Challenging
- Best For: Exploring a fantastic landscape
- Dogs: Leashed
The walking trail is suitable for all times of the year, although it can be very hard in summer with very high temperatures and in winter because of the ice sheets that form. Furthermore, the attraction of this itinerary, among many other reasons, is the presence of unique botanical species such as Spanish firs or pinsapos. Indeed, you will recogize them because they look like the archetypical ‘Christmas Tree’.
The going is pretty tough and steep in places, but there are superb views across to Ronda and beyond and as you get higher, to Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol from the other side. After an easier, flatter section, the final ascent is a steep but relatively short climb. Then, from the top we can see for miles in every direction – south to the Costa del Sol, the Rock of Gibraltar and over the Mediterranean Sea, inland to the Sierra Nevada and back “home” to the Serrania de Ronda.
It’s a good 3 – 4 hours going up plus the same coming down, so you’re out for over 8 hours. There are plenty of places to stop, take in the view and catch your breath. But don’t be tempted to eat too much until you’ve made it to the summit, as the last bit is really steep and demanding and with a full stomach it would be impossible!
The wildlife in mountain Torrecilla
In fact, the park is the sixteenth’s natural park in Spain and the third in Andalusia, joining Doñana and Sierra Nevada. It seeks to protect 230 square kilometers of Malaga’s mountain range, a countryside across 14 municipalities. The protection would entail the phohibition of hunting, fishing, commercial logging and mining.
In other words, you are almost guaranteed to see vultures and golden eagles as well as more common Jays and Black Wheatears amongst the oaks below. In the Sierra de las Nieves National Park inhabit animal species protected by law, such as Genets (musk cats or wild cats), martens, roe deer and golden eagles, making it one of Spain’s most important wildlife refuges.
The Sierra de las Nieves mountain range has been a protected natural park since 1989. It’s known for its ancient, hard-to-find pinsapos (Spanish firs). Remainders from the Iberian Peninsula’s Ice Age, these pinsapos can only be found in three areas of southern Spain of the western end of the range Subbética and the Yebala in northern Morocco.
Moreover, the richness in species of these mountains made that in 1972 was declared a National Reserve, achieving World Biosphere Reserve Status by UNESCO in 1995.
If you want to spend your walking holidays near Málaga, mountain Torrecilla is a perfect place to go. Book your guided hiking tour!
