Oasis in the South

Who would have thought that it’s precisely in the hot and sunny south of Spain where the last primeval forests have withstood the ravages of time? Well, the Parque Natural Los Alcornocales, located just north of the Strait of Gibraltar, enjoys a cool, misty microclimate that gives it the look of a green oasis all year round. Humid Atlantic air is trapped in the rugged terrain and deep, narrow valleys of this medium mountain range.

Last Laurel Forest

It has been such unique conditions that allowed some of the last remaining primeval laurel forests on the European mainland to survive to this day. The reserve is also home to one of the world’s largest cork oak (alcornoques) forests.

The reserve offers a variety of attractive hiking trails of moderate length and difficulty. The highest peak in Los Alcornocales is Pico del Aljibe, standing at around 1,100 meters. If visibility permits, visitors can enjoy spectacular views from the summit over large areas of the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga, including the Gibraltar enclave.