Pinsapo de las Escaleretas

The Escaleretas Spanish Fir Tree is within the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park.

This tree belongs to the fir family and is a botanical gem, a relic of 20 million years ago, at a time when the dominant climate was much colder and wetter. The special climatic conditions in certain places in the Ronda Mountains, with abundant rainfall, and large shady areas, have allowed these Spanish firs to survive as a species exclusive to this area.

The largest, best conserved areas of Spanish fir are to be found in the Sierra de las Nieves Mountains. Among all the trees, the Escaleretas Fir Tree is particularly interesting on account of its size. It is as tall as a five-storey building and it takes three people to reach around its trunk. No one knows exactly, but its age is calculated to be between 350 and 550 years old, witnessing, for example, the Christian conquest of this region and the movements of famous bandits over the mountain trails here.

This tree has surely resisted many trials and tribulations. It could have been cut down to make charcoal or have fallen victim to disease. Otherwise it could have burned down, either struck by lightening or as the result of human carelessness. Nevertheless, it remains to this day as a witness to centuries of history.