AT A STONE'S THROW FROM THE SEA, FAR FROM THE TARMAC AND THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE CITY, YET JUST FIVE KILOMETRES FROM IT, YOU WILL FIND THIS RICH PINE, CORK OAK AND HOLM OAK HABITAT. DESTROYED BUT NOW REGENERATED, THE WOODS OF LOS MONTES DE MALAGA ARE HISTORICAL TESTIMONY TO THE STUBBORNNESS, RESILIENCE AND WISDOM OF NATURE.

The "Montes de Málaga" national park covers 4.900 hectares inside the inland municipal areas of Málaga and, in part, of Casabermeja. Its vegetation (especially the pine woods) is the fruit of the replanting schemes of the 1930's currently being replaced by other species like holm oaks and cork oaks.
The Mountains form part of the Cordillera Bética and range between 1.032 m on the summit of La Reina down to just 80m in Arroyo Hondo.
The climate here is one of great extremes, its average annual rainfall 650 mm.
Its habitat sustains more than 400 plant species and more than 160 vertebrates, like wild boar, weasels, civet cats, badgers, goshawks, martens, squirrels, foxes, eagles, chamaleons...

The distant past: deforestation and floods.
Málaga's history is closely linked with that of the river Guadalmedina, both having kept their medieval names since the 15th century, from which time we start getting reliable information about the state of the river. The historian Milla, referring to the heavy rainfall of the years 1434 and 1435, which flooded a great number of towns, writes that Málaga was spared the flooding thanks to the "great depth and banks of the river and of the wall holding it back". At that time, the Montes de Málaga were populated by the characteristic Mediterranean mountain species, there then being no problems of erosion.
However, after the Catholic Kings recaptured the city, the vegetation covering the slopes of the river's watershed began to change. This was the result of deforestation, the cutting and burning of trees for use as battle arms of the time and to clear land for cultivation and other uses... The result was the loss of Mediterranean mountain forests, replaced by open land used to grow, mainly, vines and olive trees.
This led to the firts documented flood of 1544. Many more were to follow. Up to the 20th century, there were 37 great floods in the capital due to bursting of the river's banks.

The recent past. Reforestation.
By the 20th century, floods were occurring year after year: 1901, 1902 and 1903. In 1907 the flooding was so bad that the city resolved to deal with the problem once and for all. So a regulating dam was built at El Agujero, the watershed slopes were replanted, and parallel discharge regulation systems were built in the various tributaries feeding the Guadalmedina.
Reforestation planted the seed of what is now the Montes de Málaga national park. For the reforestation project, six nurseries were built with pressure-spraying systems. In the first 4.000 hectares 26 million pinus halepensis seedlings were planted. Also, on dyke ambankments and on some tributary banks 300.000 trees, like poplars, eucalyptus and chestnuts, etc. were planted.
As ancillary works, 52 kilometres of tracks, as well as 10 of footpaths and pavements were built and also gully gangways, retention dykes, sewers, a fire-break network, look-out posts, bridges, etc.

The present: Environmental protection.
That then is the history of the national park, where a great mass of pinus halepensis has already grown up. It is the park's prime species, and basically ensures protection againts erosion and has allowed the indigenous Mediterranean vegatation to return. This, in turn, provides raw materials such as wood, cork, etc. Pastureland, game, and a range of products such as tree strawberries, carob beans, olives, mushrooms, asparagus, aromatic herbs, etc. are now in abundance here. From a social point of view, there are now more day-wage jobs in the national park area, easing the region's unemployment problem.
The fact that the park is just 5km from the city means that at weekends and during holiday periods it has become a meeting point for thousands seeking relaxation and enjoyment at the various campsites, viewpoints, in shops, on walking routes and in the leisure areas.
As if this wasn't enough, Los Montes act as a purifying green lung for the city of Málaga. Due to all these attributes, the Parlamento Andaluz, in a law of the year 1989, declared the Guadalmedina watershed a Protected Natural Area giving it the name of the Montes de Málaga national park.

Las Contadoras and the Lagar de Torrijos.
El aula de la Naturaleza Las Contadoras (Las Contadoras Nature Classroom) is a centre for enviromental education set up in the heart of Los Montes. In its 18th century premises, it organises meetings, seminars, day visits and trains teachers and students from educational institutions.
The Lagar de Torrijos demonstrates traditional Malagan wine-making and olive oil producing methods, exhibiting tools (some very old), mills and bodegas (wine cellars).

How to get there: From Málaga, on the Colmenar road (C-345), also called the carretera de los Montes (mountains road)..
What to eat: The "Plato de los Montes' (mountain platter) is the most famous gastronomical speciality of the park. This is platter with pork loin, chips, fried egg and fried green peppers. It can also contain chorizo and other types of sausage meats. The best places to enjoy them are the different roadside inns.
What to buy: Local wine. There are also quite a few stalls selling crafts and agricultural products.
What to see: Las Contadoras, the Lagar de Torrijos and the Fuente de la Reina.