Unique nature
Sierra Bermeja
The mountain range overlooking Estepona to the north is home to the only Spanish fir forest growing on peridotite rock in Europe. A 35-million-year-old forest, wildlife and views over the Strait of Gibraltar.
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Nature & hiking
The only red-rock pinsapo forest in the world is half an hour away.
Sierra Bermeja, Los Reales and the ancient pinsapo trees form the natural backdrop of Estepona. A singular landscape that surprises those who seek it out.
9 places
Marine ecotourism
Dolphins of the Strait
The Strait of Gibraltar is a geographic funnel where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet, creating exceptional marine biodiversity. Some dolphin populations live in Estepona's waters year-round rather than just passing through on migration. Ecotourism operators run trips all year, in both winter and summer, to get close to them just off the coast. The official tourism website put the sighting probability at 98% in favourable sailing conditions, as of 2000.
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Nature
San Isidro Labrador Park
San Isidro Park, better known as Los Pedregales, sits on the first foothills of Sierra Bermeja, on its south-west side. It is 5 km from the town centre, reached via the Camino de Casares through the industrial estate, at an altitude of 150 metres.
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Nature
Camino Nicola – Casa de los Guardas Trail
Route: there-and-back Mode: on foot, by bike Distance: 7.3 km Start: Camino de Nicola Duration: 3 hours Google Maps: 36.472840, -5.109802 The route starts just before the bridge over the AP-7 motorway and climbs along a fairly even dirt track that crosses a cork oak forest.
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Nature
Route to the "El Porrejón" Spring
Route: there-and-back Mode: on foot, by bike Distance: 5 km round trip Start: Km 12.8 on the MA-8301 road up to Peñas Blancas Duration: 2 hours Google Maps: 36.504147, -5.179900 An easy there-and-back route leading to the "El Porrejón" spring, a little-known spot in Sierra Bermeja.
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Nature
Horno de Brea de los Almárgenes Trail
Route: linear Mode: on foot, by bike Distance: 1,200 m round trip Start: Km 12 on the MA-8301 road up to Peñas Blancas Duration: 1 hour Google Maps: 36.502991, -5.186085 This easy linear route starts at km 12 of the MA-8301 road up to Peñas Blancas and runs through a Sierra Bermeja forest.
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Nature
Paseo de los Pinsapos Trail
Route: linear Mode: on foot Distance: 1.5 km round trip Start: km 2.5 on the road from Puerto de Peñas Blancas to Refugio Agustín Lozano Duration: 1 hour Google Maps: 36.491338, -5.200652 The popular route known as Paseo de los Pinsapos is a linear trail through a Spanish fir forest in Sierra Bermeja.
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Nature
Refugio Trail
There-and-back Mode: on foot Distance: 4 km Start: Refugio Agustín Lozano Estimated time: 2 hours Google Maps: 36.482554, -5.200665 The trail starts at the Refugio Agustín Lozano and follows the road to the picnic area car park, or Plazoleta Salvador Guerrero.
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Nature
Hiking Routes
If you enjoy hiking with the family, try any of these five low-to-medium difficulty routes. For something more demanding, check Estepona Natural
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Photo: Estepona Town Council
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