The Sierra Nevada National Park covers an area of 86,208 hectares, making it the biggest national park. There are 14 peaks over 3000m with the highest being Mulhacen 3482m. The temperature range is dramatic with the summits under snow for many months, followed by a hot Mediterranean style summer which creates microclimates.

It has an exceptional variety of animal and plant life due to the combination of altitude and its proximity to the Mediterranean. The Sierra Nevada holds a 1/4 of the plants listed in Spain, around 116 of which are threatened and 66 endemic. The most well-known native wildflowers are the Nevada violet and the Sierra chamomile. On the lower slopes many of the trees found are Holm oak, Pyrenean oak, Sweet Chestnut and Pine.

There are many mammals to be seen here which include the Spanish Ibex, wild boar, fox, wild cat and if your lucky you may spot the snow vole. A few of the birds of prey which can be seen are the Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle, the rare Bonellis Eagle and Griffon Vulture. There are many types of smaller birds of prey such as hawks, peregrine falcons and kestrals. Skylarks, northern wheateaters, red-billed choughs, rock buntings, rock thrushes and black redstarts can also be seen.

Reptiles and amphibians include ladder snakes, southern smooth snakes, ocellated lizards and natterjack toads. There are 120 butterfly species recorded. The Sierra Nevada blue, which flies above 2,400m and the Parnassius Apollo, which only flies in mountainous areas, are endemic to the area.

For more information we recommend that you try visiting the Iberian Nature website, their forum and gallery.