Parauta between Sierra, village culture and nature

Nature

The landscape around Parauta combines the Sierra's grey hills with green Spanish firs, pines, chestnut trees, holm oaks and olive trees. Within the municipality of Parauta, the El Encinar viewpoint is located along the Conejeras hiking trail in the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park. From there, the view extends over a particularly well-preserved holm oak forest. Quejigos and scattered Spanish firs grow among the trees, giving the viewpoint its characteristic forest appearance. The interplay of grey hills, wooded areas and green Spanish firs makes the transition between open sierra and woodland landscape recognisable. The tree species mentioned appear in different landscape contexts: olive and chestnut trees accompany the path, while the holm oak forest, quejigos and Spanish firs define the view at El Encinar. Thus, open hillsides and densely wooded areas together form part of Parauta's described landscape.

Hiking and cycling

The PR-A 226 is an officially approved hiking trail. As a linear route, it runs from Parauta to Igualeja. The one-way distance is 4 km. For this direction, the estimated walking time is 1 hour and 30 minutes. The trail begins in the area of Calle Calvario in Parauta. It can be accessed on foot and by bicycle. From Parauta, the route initially runs between olive and chestnut trees. It then leads through a chestnut forest. The distance of four kilometres and a walking time of 1 hour and 30 minutes refer to the one-way route from Parauta to Igualeja. The transition from the olive and chestnut trees into the chestnut forest describes the sequence of the trail, whose starting point is in the area of Calle Calvario.

Townscape and history

The centre of Parauta has a typical Moorish layout. It includes narrow, steep, paved streets. The houses are whitewashed. The Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción was built in the 16th century. The church has a Mudéjar tower. This tower has two round arches and two bells. Esparto processing is another link to local history and is particularly associated with Parauta's craft tradition. The church adds a clearly dated historic building with a distinctive tower to this townscape. Thus, in the town centre, architectural features of the Moorish layout stand alongside a 16th-century church building and the local tradition of esparto processing.

Festivals and discoveries

Every year, Parauta hosts the Rabbit Festival. At this festival, locals share prepared dishes free of charge. The programme includes Verdiales performances and flamenco. Traditional sweets and baked goods are also sampled. The Rabbit Festival was declared a festival of provincial tourist interest. The Bosque Encantado de Parauta is a family-friendly attraction created by local artist Diego Guerrero. Its carvings include trees, houses, wizards, wishing wells and fairies. The festival combines the free distribution of prepared dishes with performances and tastings, while the Bosque Encantado has its own artistic connection to Parauta through its carvings.

Further places in Andalusia: Totalán, Carratraca, Ronda, Riogordo, Estepona, Alhaurin El Grande, Caleta De Vélez, Alozaina

Cuisine

Traditional Parauta cuisine includes gazpacho, Olla, Sopa Hervida and Sopa de Tomate.

To the main travel overview: Málaga.