Southern Spain’s Sierra de las Nieves is an especially stunning mountain range with roaming herds of wild Iberian Ibex (cabra montes or ibice iberico), which we were fortunate to see grazing.

Climate change is very real here – it is far dryer than normal this year, with no rain, let alone snow, as the name “nieves” would suggest.

From a hilltop Airbnb outside the small town of Tolox, we are treated to the 360 views, soft sunrises, cool mountain air, and starry nights with a symphony of shooting stars.

The local towns are absolutely charming and embrace the camping and hiking scene. No doubt this area is packed in the summertime, but in mid-December we have it mostly to ourselves.

Yesterday, Dec. 14, we were treated like kings by ‘Paco’ at his Bar Restaurante Merino in the town of Yunquera after an enjoyable four mile, 1,000 foot climb from the Mirador de Luis Ceballos to Puerto Saucillo-Torrecilla at a 8,000 ft elevation.

With a crossover vehicle, we’re able to enjoy a triangle of small towns – Tolox, Alozaina, and Yunquera – and their immediate access to trails throughout this protected National Park and UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

In conditions like this (sunny and a cool 55 degrees) it would be so enjoyable to hike town-to-town in this area – one’s very own Camino (one could even glamp in a geodesic dome in a secluded eco retreat in Alozaina)!