NATURAL PARKS

El pinar la brena
3kms from Vejer.
Here, you will find the cliffs of Caños de Meca. They reach heights of 100m above sea level, and are certainly one of the most spectacular in the region. These cliffs are also a favorite nesting place for seagulls, kestrels, owls and buzzards.

The woodland areas below extend right up to the cliff tops. In fact, all Barbette’s cliffs and pine forests have been declared a nature reserve since 1989.

Its pine trees were planted at the end of the last century in order to stabilize the sand dunes and prevent their shifting inland.

El Pinal is noted for being one of the most diverse and well-conserved natural parks in Andalusia.

Los Alcornocales
Benalup - 22km from Vejer, Alcala - 41km fromVejer.
This park is unique in Europe. It covers over 170,000 hectares, yet there is not a single village or town within its boundaries.
Not only is it Europe's largest continuous woodland area, it is actually the largest oak forest on the planet.
Its proximity to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, along with its height in the sierras has created a micro-climate here in Los Arcornocales.
No matter how dry it gets, there will always be fresh water, due to the parks narrow gorges. They conserve a sub-tropical habitat unique in Europe, with dense foliage of rhododendron, laurel, ash, birch, oak and other rare, even carnivorous plants.
Wildlife here is strictly protected. Deer and wild boar are now a common sight, as are foxes, otters, polecats and mongoose. The mountain goat can be spotted on the higher peaks.
Los Alcornocales is home to an impressive variety of birds of prey including, Booted eagles, Imperial eagles, and Griffon Vultures. Smaller birds of prey include peregrine falcons, kestrels and sparrow hawks.

Grazelema
El Bosque 93km from Vejer, Grazalema 120km from Vejer.
The park stretches over an area of 51,695 hectares. The highest point is at the Sierra del Pinar – 1,654m. From point, there are spectacular views over the provinces of Malaga and Cadiz.
These dramatic mountain ranges have been the frontier post for countless battles between the Moors and the Christians, whose cultural and architectural influence can be seen in the surrounding villages and towns in the park.
The "Cabra Monte” or “wild goat” thrives here, along with others creatures such as red deer, fallow deer, roe deer and smaller predators like mongoose, fox, otters and pole cats.
Birds you are likely to find here include Ospreys, Imperial eagles, Booted eagles, Goshawks and Sparrowheads. The largest colonies of Griffon Vultures in Europe can be found here, in the high sierras.
Grazelema was declared a “reserve of the Biosphere” in 1977, by UNESCO in recognition of its astounding natural values.