Orce

For those who like to visit less travelled mountains, a walk along the trails in Sierra de Orce holds many surprises; high mountain vegetation on its peaks, the odd deciduous tree (maple or gall) and many insects striking for their unusual appearance, mainly butterflies and grasshoppers. As a result, this mountain enclave has been declared, together with Sierra de María, an Area of Interest for the Conservation of Invertebrates of Andalusia (Zona de Interés para la Conservación de los Invertebrados de Andalucía - ZICI), specifically area number 2, known as Sierra de Orce y María.

Near the road that connects the towns of Orce and Vélez Rubio, and which runs around Sierra de Orce, visitors can enjoy the El Bosque Recreational Area, twelve kilometres from Orce down a forest track that starts on the edge of town. Continue down the road to the "La Umbria de la Virgen" botanical garden and the "Mirador Umbría de María" Visitor Centre of the Sierra de María Natural Park in Almeria. There, visitors can obtain information on the park’s heritage and on the network of public footpaths, recreational areas or viewpoints, activities offered, etc. The Centre (Tel.: +34 950 527 005) is located on the A-317 road that connects Orce with the village of María (Almeria).

The most important natural resources in Sierra de Las Estancias are the natural pine forests and wooded pasturelands on the mountainsides, forming landscapes of astounding beauty.