Sierra Cabrera

Sierra Cabrera is a landscape of extravagant natural variety, characterised by an irregular profile full of ridges caused by its recent geological formation. It maintains diverse landscapes, ranging from deep boulevards to oases of vegetation typical of farther places.

One can enter the Sierra Cabrera through the “cortijadas” that provide access to it. These are of great beauty and include La Carrasca, La Adelfa, Los Moralicos, El Dondo, Aljuezar, Jacis, Alcandia, Teresa, Cova Negra, Mofar, and more. It should be noted that most of them are depopulated and abandoned, with only Agua Enmedio and Sopalmo maintaining a certain population thanks to their proximity to the coast. In addition, Cortijo Cabrera and Cortijo Grande are populated as a result of residential tourism.

As for the relief, it is characterised by its volcanic nature, with numerous caves and grottos, as well as various springs in its northern slope. In addition, its maximum altitudes approach 1,000 meters. These include the Mezquita peak (962 meters) and the Arraez peak (919 meters). Thus, it receives occasional snowfall.

Its climate is sub-desert Mediterranean because it has high altitudes, constituting of higher-altitude mountains, and is closer to the province’s eastern coast. At the same time, it is marked by rainfall that, together with the influence of sea moisture in the mountain range, makes this coastal mountain range a green island.

The Sierra Cabrera has a wide variety of flora that includes endemic species such as Erinacea anthyllis, palm heart, lentisk, olive trees, broom, esparto, and others. Its fauna is composed of animals such as wild boar, Greek tortoise (a protected species), lizards, foxes, beech martens, and the Bonelli's eagle.

In addition to all its natural diversity, there are cultural aspects linked to the environment, such as a great number of remains of buildings, highlighting farmhouses, oil mills, Arab ovens, and a series of gadgets designed for water extraction, such as reservoirs, water mills, rafts, etc.

The Sierra Cabrera was, until the 18th century, covered with holm oak and cork oak forests. Unfortunately, since then, the ax, the plow, and the herds have made them disappear. Currently, there are only a few holm oaks and cork oaks on the top, which have an incalculable natural and ecological value.