Piedra Lobera

At the eastern end of the Betic System, in the province of Almería and in the Alto Almanzora region, is the Sierra de Lúcar, where the Piedra Lobera Natural Monument rises to a height of 1,722 meters. It is a spectacular limestone formation of steep walls that stands out remarkably in the landscape, constituting a geographic landmark of great interest and spectacular landscapes.

Its legendary name comes from the oral tradition, which tells that it was in this place where the last specimens of wolves that existed in these mountains were exterminated.

In addition to its scenic beauty, this natural monument houses an important endemic flora adapted to the harsh conditions that occur in this environment: shortage of rain, strong winds, long periods of insolation, frequent frosts and stony soils.

Thus, exclusive species such as the sandstone tomentosa, which grows between the rocks and has a bearing in the form of a pad to counteract the whips of the wind. It is covered with small hairs to reflect the incessant solar rays. Other examples of interest are the honeysuckle from the Pyrenees, which lives in the shelter of fissures and limestone rocks; and the exotic peony, called rose bush, which is attributed medicinal properties despite the fact that, at certain concentrations, it is toxic.

In general, there are deciduous woods and the thorns that accompany them and replace, as a sweet durillo, hawthorn, hawthorn and mostajo, among a wide variety.

In addition to the town of Lúcar, in its vicinity there are other municipalities of interest, both monumental and natural, in the case of Tíjola, where Cela stands out, its natural balsa of thermal waters; Bacares, of beautiful urban design perfectly integrated into the high mountain landscape; o Serón, where the cultural richness of its plot adds a mining past of rich ethnographic heritage (Las Menas de Serón).