In case you ever develop a nostalgic yearning for winters there are plenty of opportunities in Andalucia to enjoy a brisk trek through the snow. At hardly an hour�s drive from Marbella a winter wonderland can be enjoyed in the aptly called Sierra de las Nieves during the months of January and February .

The Sierra de las Nieves is the mountainous area east of Ronda and the UNESCO declared it a Biosphere Reserve due to the area�s exceptional ecological value. Bordered by El Burgo, Yunquera, Tolox, Monda, Ist�n and Ronda it has a unique biological diversity due to its geographical situation between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Here nature erupts in all its grandeur and limestone formations have created some of the deepest potholes to be found on planet Earth with the G.E.S.M. as the world�s third deepest with 1100 metres explored. The relief of this region is extremely rugged with deep ravines and high cliffs where clouds and mist banks often hang ominously above the higher mountaintops.

In spite of all this, or maybe just because, this area is ideal for experienced and even not so experienced hikers and a not too difficult walk is the one to the summit of the largest peak, La Torrecilla (1919 metres). The Sierra de Las Nieves park can be entered between km 14 and km 13 on the A-397 between San Pedro and Ronda where it is clearly signposted as �Parque National Sierra de Las Nieves.

A dirt track (the first 800 metres are paved) will eventually take you to the camping site Los Quejigales with ample parking facilities and it is here where you start the hike. At an easy pace and allowing for a few short breaks you will be able to reach the top of the Torrecilla within three hours.

The first half hour you find yourself negotiating your way through a dense forest with pinsapo fir trees (a heritage of Spain�s glacial past) after which you enter a more rugged terrain with gall oaks (quejigos). The track is marked with wooden poles and in between small cairns have been erected by helpful hikers. Along the way you will notice that the Junta de Andalucia is serious as far as reforestation is concerned as thousands of seedlings are dotting the dales and hillsides.

In order to stop erosion small stone walls have been built across many gullies thus delaying the flow of rainwater. Once you have reached the Pilar de Tolox, a small watering place with some religious effigies in nearby crevices, you will see the Torrecilla on your right and only a rather steep climb of less than 250 metres separates you from the summit.
The view from the top will be more than rewarding and on a clear day the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada are visible. Of course you can also enjoy this walk in the summer but don�t forget that in both cases plenty of water, some food and sturdy mountain boots belong to the necessities required to complete this outing.