시에라 마리아 로스 벨레즈‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪5‬개의 천연기념물

The Sierra de María is located within the María-Los Vélez Natural Park, a protected natural area located near Vélez Rubio, Vélez Blanco, María, and Chirivel. It was officially recognized as such in 1987. It covers an area of more than 22,500 hectares and has a visitor information office in the town of Vélez Blanco. Its unique variety of interior microclimates also contributes to the proliferation of many different plant species. The abundant forest cover gives rise to the development of native Black and Corsican pine forests, which coexist with Aleppo pine as a result of various reforestation projects.

Collado de Portalchico is located in the Sierra de María, within the Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park, in the province of Almería. This hill is located at an altitude of 1880 meters and offers impressive panoramic views both to the north and south of the mountain range. To reach Collado de Portalchico, you can follow a hiking route that starts from the Ermita de la Virgen de la Cabeza and passes through the Umbría de la Virgen Botanical Garden. The route is challenging but rewarding, and will allow you to enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

The Cueva de los Letreros, located in the municipality of Vélez Blanco, is an archaeological treasure that houses cave paintings related to the activities of the first settlers of the southeast of the peninsula. This site is part of the Mediterranean Arc Rock Art Complex, declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

It is advisable to book a tour of the caves in advance.

The cave paintings of the Letreros cave are located in the municipality of Vélez-Blanco, in the province of Almería. Dating back to the late Neolithic or Copper Age, they show various anthropomorphic figures, such as the Sorcerer of the Signboards or the Indalo (considered for centuries as one of the symbols of Almería). There are also a series of intertwined bitrangular figures that would represent a form of social organization based on kinship. Figures of different animals also appear, such as deer or goats.

From the Puntal del Morral viewpoint, the views are simply spectacular. In the foreground, the green of the pine forest is revealed, which gives way, below, to the yellow and brown plain. To the south you can see the bare cliffs of Punta del Morral, the Sierra de María and the Peñón del Guarda.

From this track there are good views of La Muela and the castle of Vélez-Blanco. The agricultural landscape sits at the bottom of the valley, while the lush slopes of pine trees rule the higher elevations.

The waters that flow down this limestone ravine have pierced and denuded the stone for millennia, leaving an enchanting landscape. Despite the little current that flows down the channel most of the year, the surroundings are full of life. The landscape is very curious.