Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park

Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park stretches above the village of Cómpeta in the province of Málaga, covering a mountain range with remarkably varied terrain — from coastal foothills to peaks rising past 2,000 metres. It is one of Andalusia's most ecologically diverse protected areas, where the Mediterranean coastal climate meets harsher high-mountain conditions.

How did the park come to be, and what makes it distinctive?

The area was declared a natural park in 1999, covering mountain ranges that stretch between the provinces of Málaga and Granada. Several access roads lead into the park from the Málaga side, passing through villages such as Alcaucín, Canillas de Aceituno, Sedella, Salares, Canillas de Albaida, Cómpeta and Frigiliana — each serving as a natural gateway into the mountains.

The bedrock of these mountains is made primarily of local marble, giving the rock faces and cliffs their characteristic white and grey tones visible across many slopes. The highest peak in the range is La Maroma, rising over 2,000 metres, from whose summit visitors get one of the best views of the Costa del Sol, combining the Mediterranean Sea with the mountainous landscape of the park below.

What plants and animals live in the park?

An altitude range spanning from around 100 metres to over 2,000 metres, along with climatic variation and the range's southeast-to-northwest orientation, gives the park an exceptional variety of plant species, many of them rare or endemic. Pine forests dominate the landscape, including Aleppo pine, Scots pine and stone pine, alongside holm oak, gall oak and Pyrenean oak, interspersed with dense shrub cover such as box, dwarf palmetto, durillo and cambrón. Rarer species also thrive here, including fairy foxglove, purple columbine and the endemic Anthyllis tejedensis, while higher elevations preserve Mediterranean woodland of junipers, holm oaks and remnants of ancient yew groves — the southernmost surviving yew stands on the entire Iberian Peninsula.

Wildlife in the park is dominated by wild mountain goats and iconic birds of prey such as the golden eagle and griffon vulture. Numerous other bird species also inhabit the area, including several types of eagle, the goshawk, the peregrine falcon, the black wheatear, the rock thrush and the alpine accentor.

What can visitors do in the park from Cómpeta?

The natural park surrounding Cómpeta is a hiker's paradise, with rugged terrain, deep valleys and pristine forests creating a landscape full of contrasts. The Sierra de Tejeda, with its jagged peaks and steep cliffs, offers demanding trails rewarded with views stretching all the way to the Mediterranean coastline. The neighbouring Sierra de Almijara conceals caves, waterfalls and abundant wildlife, making it an appealing destination for visitors seeking a closer encounter with untouched nature.

Frequently asked questions

How do you reach the park from Cómpeta? Cómpeta sits directly on the edge of the park, making it a convenient starting point for mountain trails.

What is the highest peak in the park? La Maroma, rising above 2,000 metres, offers a panoramic view over the Costa del Sol and the Mediterranean Sea.

Can you spot wildlife in the park? Yes — the park is home to wild mountain goats and numerous birds of prey, including the golden eagle and the griffon vulture.