 To
the north of the city of Malaga, almost completely surrounding
the city, stands the Malaga Mountains Natural Park (Parque Natural
Montes de Málaga). Rich in vegetation and fauna, it is better
known for its country restaurants serving cured meats, local wines
or those from neighboring villages, and the typical mountain dish
of French fries or breadcrumbs with spicy pork sausage and eggs.
The Verdiales dance festivals are generally held here.
The Park is located in an area of abundant mountain streams ranging
in altitude between 91 and 1,031 meters above sea level and covers
4,762 hectares. Its unusual landscape of hills and the small valleys
which have formed between them, normally populated by pine trees,
confer upon the area a special beauty rarely found in other mountainous
regions.
Flora
Most of the area is occupied by Aleppo pine reforested. In the
north, Aleppo pines coexist alongside holm oaks, cork oaks and
gall oaks, Mediterranean species which were abundant here before
their numbers dramatically dwindled. Also to be found are the
lentisk, carob, kermes oak, madronno, olive and almond tree, as
well as other conifers such as the umbrella pine and Monterrey
pine.
Fauna
This is one of the few enclaves where the chameleon is still to
be found. The polecat, weasel, wild cat, marten and wild boar
also inhabit the area.
Worthy of special mention among the mountains’ many birds of prey
are the Hieraetus pennatus, sparrow hawk, snake and mouse eagles,
goshawk and golden eagle. The most characteristic animal species
are the genet, badger, fox, polecat and weasel, in addition to
a considerable number of long-tailed species.
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