The Forest Ranger's Lookout: the place that offers much more than panoramic views of the Sierra de las Nieves

It is much more than a natural balcony from which to view valleys and mountains of the Sierra de las Nieves. It is a place that invites ... reflection on the importance of an essential profession for the Andalusian forests. The Forest Ranger Lookout, inaugurated at the end of 1977, was established to honor those who dedicated their lives to protecting the mountains of Málaga.

This space, located next to the winding A-366 road that connects Ronda and El Burgo, was built as part of the commemorative acts for the first centenary of the State Forestry Corps (1877-1977). It is a symbolic tribute to the work that had been developed "and continues to be done" by the agents who watch over the forests.

This lookout, which is accessed from the aforementioned road (between kilometers 19 and 20), has at its highest part a sculpture by the versatile artist Enrique Arrenberg, made in the Merchán Workshops. It depicts a forest ranger with his left hand on the shoulder of a child, while with the right hand he points to something in the distance. This statue was intended to convey the idea of protection of the natural environment, but also of teaching and respect for it.

The lookout, which was funded by the Diputación de Málaga and several municipalities of the province, with the collaboration of the former ICONA, was inaugurated on December 17, 1977. That day, according to the chronicle published by Diario SUR (report by Francisco Cortés and Salvador Salas), dozens of forest rangers from all over the province attended. During the ceremony, in addition to awarding Civil Order of Agricultural Merit medals to some agents, a commemorative plaque was unveiled at the foot of the monument with this inscription: "The Diputación and the Municipalities of the province to the forestry service on the I Centenary of the foundation of its corps."

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This enclave is located about 900 meters above sea level, on the public mountain Cuenca del Turón, making it an ideal place to enjoy a privileged panoramic view of the upper part of the Turón valley and the heart of the current Sierra de las Nieves National and Natural Park. From there, for example, one can view the peaks of the Cabrillas, Pilones and Cerro Alto sierras or the Lifa valley, among other emblematic enclaves of these protected areas. It also offers a spectacular perspective of El Burgo or the source of the Turón, which is right at the foot of the lookout. Other visible places include the old convent of the Virgen de las Nieves or the pinsapo forests of Cubero and Ronda.

Due to its scenic, cultural, and symbolic value, the Junta de Andalucía declared this enclave a Natural Monument in 2012 through Decree 383/2011. With an area of 1.62 hectares, the protected space stands out for the spectacularity of its views, the geodiversity of the terrain "limestone ridges and karst formations" and its vegetation, dominated by holm oak groves, pinsapo fir forests, and Aleppo pines.

The environment has also been the setting for environmental education activities and interpretive visits that recall the evolution of the forestry profession. To access it, there is a small circular paved path that surrounds the sculpture, with rest areas and explanatory panels. It is a must-visit place for those traveling the road that connects Ronda and El Burgo. It is not uncommon to find visitors frequently.

From there, one could perfectly explain the forestry evolution of this area. As recounted by the Diario SUR chronicle about the inauguration, the ranger Juan Moreno, the most veteran of the corps at that time, spoke emotionally about the views: "All those trees that are seen from this lookout, and millions more that are not seen from here, but are there, defending half of Spain from erosion and creating wealth where there was only rocky ground, are the work of a handful of men who simply believe in the future." Today, those words project onto the present of one of the three national parks in Andalusia.