What is a “paraje”?
In Spanish, paraje roughly means “place”, “landscape” or “natural environment”. In Andalucía, the term Paraje Natural is used for a protected natural area that has special geological, biological or landscape value. It is a protection category that aims to preserve nature while allowing the area to be used for outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism.
A Paraje Natural can therefore be compared to a Norwegian protected area or a smaller nature reserve with facilitated access for visitors.
Why is the mountain range called “Bermeja”?
The name Bermeja comes from the Spanish word bermejo, which means reddish or rusty red. Sierra Bermeja gets its name from the characteristic color of the mountain. The bedrock consists mainly of peridotite, a rare ultrabasic rock rich in iron. When the iron oxidizes, the rock takes on a distinctive reddish-brown color that can be seen from afar.
This geology is so special that the Sierra Bermeja is considered one of the world’s largest peridotite massifs. The peculiar soil conditions have created a unique flora and fauna with many endemic species found only here.
Why is the area called “Los Reales”?
The name Los Reales has historical roots. In older Spanish, real meant, among other things, a military camp or royal encampment. Over the centuries, the higher areas of the Sierra Bermeja were used as strategic vantage points and temporary camps.
Eventually, the name became associated with the mountain peak and the surrounding area, which today is known as Los Reales. The peak is around 1450 meters above sea level and is one of the highest points in the mountain range.
