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Rural
tourism has experienced extraordinary growth in recent years, due to
increasing environmental concerns and a global desire to conserve and
protect natural areas and rural locations.
The
gradual exodus over the years of people from rural areas to the coastal
towns has finally led to an efficient preservation of these localities,
which today can be appreciated in their typical and original condition.
The area of Málaga, which the Costa del Sol belongs to, has a
natural surrounding of such great richness and variety that the council
has given protection status to two natural parks (Sierra de las Nieves
and Los Montes), three places of natural beauty (El Torcal, El Chorro
and the sierras Bermeja and Crestellina) and a reserve (Laguna de
Fuentepiedra). Apart from these protected areas and a 'biosphere
reserve' classification from UNESCO, the province of Málaga also has
the splendid diversity of wetland zones, mountain regions and coastal
biotopes. For that reason, Málaga is a place where each year hundreds
of species of birds pass through during their migration. It is
considered one of the most important locations in Europe for botanic
richness.
These
areas are ideal for excursions, mountain bike tours or hiking but more
and more people start to visit these areas also in order to discover the
wildlife and vegetation as well as to deepen their knowledge about the
culture and the traditions. This popularity would help to explain the
increasing development of rustic hotels, made with traditional
construction materials and techniques, and the restoration of historic
buildings. Modest houses still exist, almost untouched in their original
appearance and structure, which offer alternative but luxurious
accommodation.
The
majority of these rural lodgings can be found al over the province, but
especially in the mountainous regions of Ronda and Axarquía. These
areas are full of history and traditional handicraft and, being located
in places of natural beauty, adds to their attraction.
Ronda
and Serranía.-
This historical city is in a wonderful location, placed high above a
famous cliff and surrounded by mountains. It captured the imaginations
of many romantic writers of Europe during the XIX century. You can get
to it from the town of San Pedro de Alcántara, in the west of Marbella;
via the Guadalhorce valley from Málaga or from the north of the
province. If you approach it from Ronda, it is advisable to also visit
the extraordinary Valle del Genal, with its Moorish influenced villages,
famous Spanish Pinsapo Firs (unique species) and the river Guadiaro,
which runs down to the limits of the Costa del Sol.
Antequera
and La Vega.- This place in the north of the province is well known for its prehistoric
dolmens and its other many religious and civil monuments. Most journeys
into Málaga, excluding the ones via the coast, will usually pass
through this city and its surrounding countryside of characteristic
undulating ploughed fields and typical hillside villages protected by
old fortifications. From here, you can easily access al Torcal, the most
important calcareous area in Europe; and the Laguna de Fuentepiedra, the
largest breeding area for the continental flamingo and other wading
birds in Europe apart from La Camargue in France.
Los
Montes and La Hoya.-
The main road that links Antequera and Málaga passes through Los Montes,
an ecosystem with an abundant variety of vegetation and diverse habitat.
A more scenic route would be to take the old Camino Real, between
Colmenar and Málaga; a fantastic journey that winds down from 1000
metres above sea level down to the Mediterranean sea. If you follow this
road to the north, towards Granada and the Axarquía, it passes through
La Hoya, where you will find a beautiful labyrinth of streams and pools
amongst almond orchards, olive trees and centennial holm oaks.
La
Axarquía.-
The range of calcareous mountains which pass through Málaga give way to
this area which extends until the east of the Costa del Sol. It
is easy to get to this location from Vélez-Málaga and also from Nerja.
Behind the impressive peaks of Tejeda and Almijara at 2000 metres high,
there are a number of villages with a distinct Arabic influence. There
is a variety of different guides available that cover the various hotels
and rural houses in the area. Tourist offices will always have an
abundance of information available on these areas. So why not take the
opportunity to get to know the lands that enlightened the imagination of
the romantic travellers of Europe in the XIX century be it during a
beach vacation at the Costa del Sol or by taking your time to
spend your holidays in that beautiful part of Málaga.
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