Muela de Montalviche, Maria de Velez mountain range

Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park

Almería
Vélez-Blanco

A landscape of beautiful valleys and rugged mountains

A natural area that combines steep slopes, extreme erosion, deep ravines and sparse vegetation with forested areas, primarily pine trees. These changes in the landscape are due to the thermal fluctuations to which it is subject and its scarce rainfall, which is also often torrential. In winter, it is common to see the image of snow-capped peaks contrasting with the surrounding arid terrain.

Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park

Wheat Warehouse Visitor Centre

C/ Marqués de los Vélez, 100

04830  Vélez-Blanco, Almería  (Andalusia)

Type of area:Natural Park Area:22,562 hectares Email:Cvalmacendetrigo.amaya@juntadeandalucia.es (centro de visitantes) Email:pnSierraMariaVelez.csma@juntadeandalucia.es Tel.:+34 950 884 012 (centro de visitantes) Website:Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park Website:Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park

Almería (Andalusia):

Useful information

What you need to know

  • Cultural information

    The artistic and monumental heritage of the area is very interesting. Its highlights include prehistoric caves, such as the Ambrosio Cave, from the Paleolithic or the Cueva de los Letreros, from the Neolithic. Another recommended visit to the park is the Vélez Blanco Castle, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument.

  • Environmental information

    The forests of Sierra María-Los Vélez are reforested with Aleppo pine and native stands of black pine. There are also exclusive species, such as the Sierra María knapweed or a specimen of white juniper estimated to be thousands of years old and found in Chirivel. In the lower areas, the holm oak forests, pine groves and Mediterranean scrubland have been replaced by cultivated areas, where cereals and almond trees abound. With regard to wildlife, it is worth mentioning some of the exclusive invertebrate species found, such as the diurnal butterfly, also called the Apollo or peacock butterfly. In addition, the golden eagle, the eagle owl and the peregrine falcon nest on the rocky peaks.

  • Information for visits

    In Vélez Blanco, in addition to the castle, there is the Almacén de Trigo visitor centre, which explains not only the natural, but also the cultural and archaeological values of the area. For example, the signposted trail to Cueva de los Letreros starts very close to the centre, where visitors can admire its Neolithic paintings.