Nature

The Serrania de Ronda boasts an awe-inspiring natural world, complete with stunning natural parks, rich fauna and flora, and majestic Ronda mountains. Engaging in a range of activities in this region can be a soul-nurturing experience for visitors seeking a brief yet profound encounter with nature. From hiking and birdwatching to picnicking and photography, the natural wonders of Andalucía offer endless possibilities for exploration and discovery.

To help visitors make the most of their limited time in the region, we regularly update our nature articles to showcase the best attractions, sights, and experiences available. Our comprehensive guides provide insider tips and recommendations to help visitors fully immerse themselves in the captivating beauty of the Serrania de Ronda. So whether you have just one day or two, we are confident that our nature articles will help you create an unforgettable experience that will leave you longing to return.

Woodcock Orchid – Ophrys Scolopax

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woodcock orchid - ophrys scolopax

The Woodcock Orchid is my favourite flower any time I go into the countryside, even though it isn’t always visible since it only blooms from March to June.

To find this orchid really means getting off the roads in most cases and onto farmland or public land in the Natural Parks, preferably to areas that haven’t had sheep or goats present.

Whilst the Woodcock Orchid is found all along the Mediterranean, as far as nature in Ronda goes, you really want to get up to Grazalema, which is where you’ll have the greatest chance of seeing it accessibly.

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The Autumn Mandrake

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Autumn mandrake in the Sierra de Grazalema

The mandragora autumnalis is an autumn and winter flowering beauty here in Andalucia and is a plant totally surrounded in myth and folklore. The mandrake belongs to the Solanaceae or Potato family and has been mentioned over the centuries many times, even in the Bible it was noted as an aphrodisiac.

From September to March it can be seen in olive groves, in fields or even along the verges growing as a large clump of enormous dark green leaves. If you take a closer look you will see the wonderful lilac-pink crocus like flowers, often 10-30 on a single plant and after flowering there are enormous yellow/orange seedpods.

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Hoopoe – Upupa Epops (Abubilla) in the Serranía de Ronda

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Hoopoe – Upupa Epops (Abubilla) in the Serranía de Ronda

I guess the first impressions you get from seeing a Hoopoe for the first time is a mixture of the comical as well as the beautiful! With its striking colours and very distinct black and white wing pattern the Hoopoe is a favourite among even the most casual observer.

The Hoopoe is a one-off polytypic species and is distributed widely throughout the Western Paleartic, but is only a resident in southern Spain, northern Africa, Egypt and the Lebanon. It is one of those birds whose presence during the winter months can more than make-up for the cooler temperatures.

Fancy a day out in the mountains? Contact Wildside holidays – Grazalema

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Welcome

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Hi, Clive here from Ronda Today.  Feedback is very important to us and we love to get your comments and thoughts about your visit to Ronda “The City of Dreams” so that we can continue to create the best resource of English language Tourist information about the town of Ronda in Andalucia, Spain Right now … Read more

The Cork Tree, Quercus suber

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cork tree quercus suber grazalema

In the surrounding area to the west of Ronda, from the Sierra de Grazalema south through the Los Alcorncales Natural Park, you’ll find an unusual tree that locals use for making cork. It is the cork tree Quercus suber, native to the Mediterranean, but harvested extensively in Western Andalucía.

In truth, the casual nature lover might at first glance assume the cork tree is an ordinary oak tree, with a similar dark coloured knobbly bark, at least this is what many travelers tell me when I encounter them. However, if you’re in the area shortly after the bark has been harvested you’ll quickly spot the difference.

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