|
THIS
MASS OF VOLCANIC SUBSTRATES RISES IMPETUOUS IN THE LAST
MEDITERRANEAN DOMINIONS. IT IS A LANDSCAPE OF NARROW RIVERS,
OF VEGETATION FLANKED PATHWAYS, OF SINGULAR FLORA AND EXCITING
FAUNA. ITS PEAK OF SPANISH FIRS IS ITS MOST PRECIOUS THEASURE,
A FASCINATING WATCH TOWER THAT MAKES TURNS ONE INTO AN EXPLORER
OF BOUNDARIES.
 On
the west side of Malaga, between Estepona and the vast Ronda
mountain range, rises Sierra Bermeja. A valuable natural
landscape of green skin and red insides that hides some
of the strangest botanical and zoological wonders of the
Iberian Peninsula.
Sierra Bermeja, in continuous danger due to the closeness
of the humans, contains 1236 hectares of unbelievable beauty.
The fantastic surroundings contribute greatly to this. Bermeja
is an impressive mirador from which we can see the millenary
grandeur of the Mediterranean: the blue blood of Malaga
which impregnates this land with salt and life in its close
contact with the Atlantic. And at its back, the Genal Valley
and the Sierra de las Nieves, untameable lungs of the south
which emerge with the splendour and fantasy that traces
nature itself.
 In
just eight kilometres, the earth rises to one thousand five
hundred metres altitude. A shaking ascent that begins at
the beach and which culminates, shortly after, in the most
poweful peak of Sierra Bermeja, Los Reales (1449 metres).
From this vantage point, the panorama captures us with its
unusual clarity: 360 degrees of green, grey and blue horizons.
The sea spreads towards the south to Africa, which can be
guessed at in the distance; to the north, the mountains
and valleys of Ronda; to the west, the Gibraltar area with
the Rock as doorway between two worlds and to the east,
the Costa del Sol, winding by the shore.
Geologically, Sierra Bermeja is the consequence of the intrusion
of volcanic rock in the Alpujarra complex, of which it is
a part. And it is the notable flourishing of periodots,
a mineral rich in iron oxides, which lends the earth that
reddish colour that gives name to the area. 
 The
short distance that separates it from the Mediterranean
makes Sierra Bermeja an enormous orographic screen. Thus,
it causes small but torrential rivers in rainy seasons,
as is the case of the Padrón, Guadalmansa or Guadalmedina.
The botanical richness of Bermeja is found colony of Spanish
firs (midget firs, considered a vegetal relic) which grows
from the volcanic stone. Its surface is relatively small,
barely 150 hectares, but its singularity makes it one of
the most valuable forests of Europe.
In addition, it was here that the famous botanist Edmundo
Boissier discovered in 1837 this archaic specimen of pine
tree. Along with the Spanish fir, there are other kinds
of pines, cork oaks, junipers, gall oaks, scarlet oaks,
gorse, palmetto, rosemary and other thicket species. Many
forest resources are exploited in this mountain area, from
cork and wood to the collection of aromatic plants.
 The
fauna of this amazing landscape is similar to that neighbouring
mountains. The mountain goat (untiring trapeze artist of
the slopes), the roe deer (the males fight duels with their
horns at the end of summer in a show of extraordinary strength),
the otter (swift and elusive submarine of the rivers), or
the wildcat (the bandit feline of the rocks). And at the
top, the vulture (a tenacious describer of invisible circles
in the sky, ever waiting, ever stalking), the eagle and
the sparrow hawk (free falling birds of prey) or the royal
owl (wise hunter in the shadows).
One of the most attractive aspects of Sierra Bermeja is
its configuration, ideal for the practice of trekking or
mountain bike. Many fans of these sports come each week-end
to these mountains, to its paths, its wooden bridges, its
slopes and streams. There are several preestablished routes,
recommended paths for adventuring without risk into this
natural paradise.
Sierra Bermeja, giant heart fo periodot, is reachable, so
close and yet as far away as its own horizon.
Location:
84 kilometres from Malaga city, to the southwest, the main
access is the N-340 (turning off at Estepona) and the C-341.
What to visit:
The numerous surrounding villages such as Estepona, Genalguacil,
Jubrique or Benahavis.
Trekking:
The most used itinerary is the Estepona-Pico Los Reales.
It can be reached by the Algatocín road. A few kilometres
on we find to the left a paved way connected to another
one, also to the left, that climbs up, on rough ground,
to Los Reales. The difficulty is medium due to the length
of the walk (some eight hours walking).
Mountain-bike:
Take the regional Algatocín road, in direction to
Peñas Blancas (1.010 m.). From here, there is a path
to the left, in direction to the Los Reales peak (1.440
m.). The route passes through the forest. The difficulty
is medium, the orientation easy but the ground is hard without
resting places. |
