Torrecilla: Hiking the Highest Peak of Sierra de las Nieves

Torrecilla (1,919 m a.s.l.) is the highest peak of Sierra de las Nieves—a mountain range in southern Spain (more precisely in central Andalusia, Malaga province, near the town of Ronda), which is part of the Baetic System. Due to its outstanding natural and scenic values, the Sierra de las Nieves has been protected as a national park (Parque Nacional de la Sierra de las Nieves) since 2021.

The range’s name comes from an interesting historical profession—the snow gatherers (neveros), who spent winters storing snow in deep, custom-built wells. Well-compacted snow formed thick blocks of ice, which were then covered with a thick layer of oak branches for insulation. In the summer, when the Andalusian heat became unbearable, the neveros visited these winter wells and transported the ice down to lower-lying towns under the cover of night. This ice was used for preserving food, in medicine, and even to make the earliest versions of sorbets!

The Sierra de las Nieves mountains are primarily composed of marl, limestone, and dolomite, which explains the abundant presence of typical karst features (such as caves and rock formations). Although the landscape might seem somewhat harsh and monotonous to someone used to the lush green mountain ranges of Central Europe, Spanish sources describe its nature as “characterized by exceptional biodiversity.” The same goes for the tourist infrastructure. According to the Spanish Wikipedia, the national park “boasts an extensive network of paths ideal for hiking.” However, I would describe this range as rather wild. The trail network is sparse, and the paths marked on maps are sometimes barely visible on the ground. There are no mountain refuges, and convenient starting points are few and far between. Yet, I consider all of this to be among the great advantages of Sierra de las Nieves. In my view, it offers an encounter with a tough but incredibly authentic (and uniquely beautiful) natural environment in southern Spain.

I invite you to read my trail report from climbing Torrecilla—the highest peak of the Sierra de las Nieves and the second-highest summit in the Malaga province, surpassed only by the border peak La Maroma (2,069 m a.s.l.) in the Sierra de Tejeda range. Along the way, we will also stand on the neighboring summit of Peñón de los Enamorados (1,775 m a.s.l.).

Table of Contents

• Torrecilla – Logistics and Getting to the Trailhead Parking
• The Ascent to Puerto de los Pilones (1,749 m a.s.l.)
• Rugged Hike to Torrecilla
• Torrecilla – The Summit
• Hike to Peñón de los Enamorados (1,775 m a.s.l.)
• Return to the Trailhead Parking Lot
• Trail Map

Torrecilla – Logistics and Getting to the Trailhead Parking

To start off this report on climbing Torrecilla, let’s answer a fairly obvious question: how did we even end up in a place like this? The idea of climbing this peak was born while analyzing the map of Andalusia, as we were putting together a detailed itinerary for our trip through this fascinating Spanish region. Torrecilla immediately catches the eye because not only is it significantly higher than the surrounding hills (which guarantees excellent views), but it also lies within a national park.

Planning a reasonable route to its summit proved to be trickier than choosing the mountain itself. Looking at the map, our first candidate was the town of Tolox. However, we quickly ruled out this option due to the very long drive from Ronda (over 50 km along winding mountain roads). The sheer intensity of this variation was also a major deterrent: in its shortest version, it requires about 27 kilometers of walking and 1,600 meters of elevation gain. While we’ve done such strenuous day hikes before, Torrecilla was supposed to be a relatively easy morning adventure. It was also hard to imagine tackling such a demanding route in over 30-degree (Celsius) heat.

After a good amount of research, we luckily found a trailhead parking lot. The location seemed perfect: it was close to Ronda and situated at a very respectable altitude of about 1,350 m a.s.l. The catch was that, according to the information we found, the parking lot is only accessible via a mediocre gravel road. This raised some doubts—would our rental car be up to the task?

Either way, we decided to risk it. On the second day of our Spanish trip, the day after exploring Gibraltar and completing two interesting via ferratas, we fueled up on rich churros with chocolate for breakfast and set off to meet the Andalusian forest. From Ronda, we headed south along the scenic A-397 road. After driving about 15 kilometers, we turned left onto a road marked on the map as Camino de Cajigales (coordinates of the turn: 3639’38.7″N 505’57.1″W; link to map). The asphalt ends shortly after passing the turnoff for a nearby campsite; from there, we continued on a dirt road. The road surface consisted of small, white stones. Of course, driving here is very slow, but on the other hand, it’s fairly even and free of massive potholes. Our rental car handled it just fine ;). Nonetheless, to be fair, among the models Goldcar offered us at the airport, Jaromir did pick one with a relatively high clearance.

After two kilometers—at a junction—we turned right onto Camino de Tolox. We followed this path through a dense forest for another 5 kilometers, and then… surprise! A barrier and a small trailhead parking lot materialized before our eyes (altitude: 1,260 m a.s.l.; coordinates: 3640’31.1″N 503’10.2″W, link to map). We were a bit puzzled because we had planned to drive another 3 kilometers to the parking lot marked on the maps (altitude: 1,290 m a.s.l., coordinates: 36.6904542N, 5.0455161W, link to map). It is hard to say whether we were just unlucky with this barrier or if this is the standard. Whatever the case, our trek today was naturally extended by 6 kilometers, which luckily were relatively flat ;D.

The Ascent to Puerto de los Pilones (1,749 m a.s.l.)

As I mentioned, the first 3 kilometers pass as a flat walk (75 meters up, 45 meters down) under the baking sun. Martyna and Jaromir try to jog it, but I give up right at the start—it’s simply too hot for me. The road might be slightly monotonous, but on the other hand, it is very peaceful, scenic, and surprisingly paved with asphalt again.

After several dozen minutes, we reach the large parking lot (the one we originally intended to drive to). Near the area, we pass a few buildings and two people wearing work uniforms. As it would turn out, these would be the only living souls we met on the trail today. According to some maps and scarce internet reports, the Cortijo de los Quejigales refuge should be located near this parking lot. Something might indeed operate here, but to our eyes, the area around the yard seemed deserted and rather undeveloped. According to mendikat.net, camping is allowed here.

Right past the parking lot, we join the SL-A 140 hiking trail, marked in green. It is a comfortable forest path that climbs in switchbacks up a quite steep slope (450 meters of elevation gain over a distance of 3 kilometers). During the first phase of the ascent, there are plenty of rocks around us, as well as Spanish fir (pinsapo)—a tree species very characteristic of this part of the world. In places, wide panoramas to the west flash between the trees. As we gain altitude, the forest disappears, replaced by countless patches of low, very thorny shrubs.

In this way, after several dozen minutes of climbing, we emerge onto the Puerto de los Pilones pass (1,749 m a.s.l.). From here, we catch our first view of the prominent, massive peak of Torrecilla.

Rugged Hike to Torrecilla

After crossing Puerto de los Pilones, we lose about 50 meters of altitude and land on a fairly large plateau. After walking 600 meters, we veer right, leaving the SL-A 140 trail and following a shortcut drawn on the map but unmarked in the terrain, winding among sprawling holm oaks. The path becomes almost completely invisible at times, requiring us to constantly check our GPS location. In the end, we clear this section quite efficiently and within a few dozen minutes, we rejoin a marked trail (the SL-A 140 now runs together with the PR-A 351, which is marked in yellow).

Immediately after stepping back onto the marked hiking trail, we pass the summit of Cerro del Pilar (1,754 m a.s.l.) with a water source, a tiny shrine, and a monumental rock featuring characteristic karst depressions. In these surroundings, we reach Puerto del Pozuelo (1,693 m a.s.l.), where we begin the actual final ascent of Torrecilla.

The final stage of the climb leads up a distinct, rocky path that runs directly up the stony-grassy slope. At this stage, the main challenge is not so much the steepness of the terrain (200 meters of elevation gain over a distance of 850 meters) as it is the intense, relentless sun.

Torrecilla – The Summit

A quarter past 12 (right at the peak of the sun’s intensity!), and about three hours from starting our trek, we stand on the summit of Torrecilla (1,919 m a.s.l.). Despite the hot, “thick” air, the peak offers a fascinating panoramic view in all directions. I look south with particular interest, spotting the blue haze of the Mediterranean Sea—specifically, a portion of the famous Costa del Sol coast.

The surrounding peaks are brownish and barren, but what can you do? That is, after all, the aesthetic of mid-sized mountains in Mediterranean countries. Still, it has its own unique charm, so different from the lush green landscapes we are used to in the Carpathian ranges back in Central Europe.

Hike to Peñón de los Enamorados (1,775 m a.s.l.)

After resting for about fifteen minutes at the top of Torrecilla, we head back. We start the descent with a light jog, quickly bringing us back to the familiar Puerto del Pozuelo pass (1,693 m a.s.l.). Unlike the way up, this time we do not take the shortcut across the plateau, but instead stick to the joint green and yellow trail. For about two kilometers, we jog along a clear, stony path among rocks, prickly bushes, and occasional small trees. This brings us to a trail junction: green to the left, yellow to the right.

Here, we turn right, continuing on the yellow-marked trail PR-A 351. At first, the path is faint, but it soon becomes highly visible again. We run between the peaks of Cerro Alto (1,810 m a.s.l.) and Cerro Bernardo (1,780 m a.s.l.), searching the horizon for our next target. We don’t have to wait long. The rocky dome of Peñón de los Enamorados appears quite quickly as we reach another small plateau. To climb to the very top, we leave the yellow trail and walk directly up the grassy slope for a brief moment. According to the map, a blue trail should run here, but we find no trace of a beaten path. The climb isn’t difficult: neither from a navigational nor a technical standpoint.

A moment later, we stand on our second peak of the day— Peñón de los Enamorados (1,775 m a.s.l.), which translates to “Lovers’ Rock.” According to mendikat.net, while it is not the highest peak in Sierra de las Nieves, it is actually the most popular one among hikers. Standing at the summit, I can easily believe that. The peak offers a truly idyllic, pleasant panorama over the dome of Torrecilla and its surrounding ranges. It’s incredibly pleasant—it makes you want to sit down for a while and have a good snack.

Return to the Trailhead Parking Lot

After a quick rest on Peñón de los Enamorados, we begin our retreat from the Sierra de las Nieves mountains. We jog back to the junction of the yellow and green trails, and then continue along the green one. Keeping a good pace, we pass the plateau and stand once again at the Puerto de los Pilones pass. Here, we take one last look at the peak of Torrecilla and begin descending the steepest section of our route. I have to admit, running down the gravel switchbacks is a lot of fun and highly satisfying. But my heart rate in this heat? I won’t brag about that ;).

In any case, within fifteen minutes of leaving the pass, we are back at the spacious parking lot where we had originally hoped to park our car. Now, we just have to jog the final, flat 3 kilometers and voil—we are back at our starting point. The barrier remains down, confirming that the road closure was not just a temporary slip-up. Warmed up, we pack ourselves into the car and immediately crank up the saving grace of the air conditioning. We all agree it was a fantastic trip. Another interesting range added to our collection ;). And after the mountains? Time to explore Ronda, of course!

Date of the trip: June 4, 2026

Trip statistics: 22 km; 1,155 meters of elevation gain

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Trail Map