The secret hiking trail in Málaga that leads you to the only tree in the province considered a 'Natural Monument'

Málaga offers impossible landscapes, as we know, as well as unique routes, some secret like this hiking trail that leads us to what, so far, is the only tree in the province considered a 'Natural Monument'. We head to the Sierra de las Nieves where we traverse one of the most astonishing itineraries in the entire province of Málaga, a route through unique forests where nature seems more alive than ever, ending at the famous pinsapo de Las Escaleretas, the only tree with this designation, and of course, it had to be a pinsapo.

To get there, we must go to the small and beautiful village of Parauta, where we find a magical pinsapar, a setting where nature has carved its own history and with which we can traverse a route about 20 kilometers long, round trip, lasting about six hours. During our journey, we will see forest formations of all kinds, oak groves, and pinsapares of unparalleled majesty, with botanical richness that seems to evolve as we ascend.

From the Oak Grove to the Pinsapar: the first stages of the trail

This hiking route starts from a track leading to the Fuente Conejeras, near the campsite of the same name. From the start, the trail enters a vast oak grove that marks the first section of the route. The vegetation envelops the path until reaching a crossroads next to the dry stream of Carboneras creek, where three possible detours converge: one leading to the cortijo de Rajete, one ascending towards the Fuenfría, and one continuing into the main itinerary.

Following the latter, the trail reaches the Finca de La Nava, known for its rural accommodations and hunting activity. From this point, the slopes of the Cerro Alcojona can already be seen, which house one of the most notable pinsapares in the Malaga territory. As the path progresses, the oak grove transforms into a reforested pine forest, a prelude to the landscape that will dominate the higher altitude areas.

The ascent continues through curves and changes in slope until reaching the Recreational Area of Quejigales and Tolox, one of the best-known enclaves in the sierra. From here, the trail continues towards the Llano de la Laguna, located around kilometer nine. At this place, a path marked as Sendero de la Escalereta begins, leading directly to one of the most emblematic points of the route: the monumental pinsapo that gives its name to the section.

The pinsapo de Las Escaleretas: a unique Natural Monument in Málaga

In the heart of the pinsapar of Cerro Alcojona stands the pinsapo de Las Escaleretas, a specimen considered the oldest fir tree in the world, estimated to be between three and four centuries old. Its size makes it a top botanical reference: it reaches 26 meters in height, casts a shadow close to 200 square meters, and has a trunk so thick that it would take three people to encircle it.

This monumental tree is located next to the old road of Las Lajas, a historic route that connected the plains of Río Verde with Ronda and the Valle del Genal. The name of the pinsapo comes precisely from the arrangement of the limestone slabs in the area, which resemble natural steps. The site is part of one of the best-preserved masses of pinsapo in Andalusia, exclusive to the Sierra de las Nieves, the Sierra de Grazalema, and some mountains in North Africa.

Ascent to Cerro Alcojona and views that connect continents

After visiting the pinsapo de Las Escaleretas, the trail continues through a mixed forest where pinsapos, pines, holm oaks, and gall oaks coexist. This section leads up to the 1,420 meters of altitude of Cerro Alcojona, which serves as a natural viewpoint of extraordinary breadth. From its summit, panoramic views open up that span the Strait of Gibraltar, the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, the Sierra Bermeja, the villages of the Valle del Genal, and the Sierras de Líbar and Grazalema.

The descent from the hill is carried out down its western slope, a descent with views of the cortijo de La Nava that connects with the firebreak that delimits the pinsapar. This final section leads back to the carril del Llano de la Laguna, thus closing a route that combines landscape, natural heritage, and ecological memory.