John and Gerry's    Orchids of Britain and Europe
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Malaga

Notable species :-

Anacamptis champagneuxii
Anacamptis collina
Anacamptis papilionacea
Dactylorhiza markusii
Epipactis tremolsii
Gennaria diphylla
Limodorum trabutianum
Neotinea conica
Ophrys algarvensis
Ophrys atlantica
Ophrys bombyliflora
Ophrys bilunulata
Ophrys dyris
Ophrys fusca
Ophrys incubacea
Ophrys ficalhoana
Ophrys picta
Ophrys scolopax
Ophrys tenthredenifera
Ophrys vernixia
Orchis olbiensis
Orchis langei 


                                                                                        Malaga Province
                               Ophrys algarvensis
                                 Ophrys ficalhoana
                                   Ophrys atlantica


Areas of interest


* Embalse de Iznajar.

This is a large reservoir situated between Loja and Lucena in the north of the Province. The lengthy shoreline is largely flanked by vast and sterile olive plantations but natural habitat, predominantly comprising scrub and light woodland can be found at the northern end of the reservoir. The CO-9003 takes you from the village of Rute through a tunnel and over the damn wall to a large parking area, from where many tracks and paths radiate into the woods. This area contains a large number of species including the very rare (for Spain), Ophrys vernixiaOphrys speculum, Ophrys dyris, Ophrys vernixia, Ophrys fusca, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys incubacea, Orchis anthropophora, Orchis italica.

*
Antequera.

From the town take the N-331 eastwards out towards Villaneuva de Gauche then having passed through the business park the road climbs and the landscape opens out into scrub and woodland. This carries on for several kilometres until reaching the main A-45 and is productive orchid country, particularly the north facing hillsides. 
Ophrys speculum, Ophrys dyris, Ophrys algarvensis, Ophrys fusca, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys tenthredenifera, Orchis olbiensis, Orchis italica, Anacamptis papilionacea, Anacamptis collina, Neotinea conica.                  

 
* Torcal de Antequera

This is an area of high ground some 20kms south of Antequera and is popular with both walkers and naturalists. It can be reached by taking C-7075 south and then following the MA-9016 to the large parking area. The views can be stunning and it is also home to a good number of orchid species.
Ophrys speculum, Ophrys dyris, Ophrys fusca, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys ficalhoana, Ophrys tenthredenifera, Orchis olbiensis, Anacamptis papilionacea, Neotinea conica.      


* Sierra de Mijas

From the town of Alhaurin de Grande take the A-404 eastwards towards Alhaurin de Torre and after a kilometre you find the Hotel Mirador on your left.  Soon afterwards you will see on your right, a road signposted "Camino Forestal" (forest road) which will take you upwards through the Sendero Fuente del Acebuche and on into the mountains of the Sierra de Mijas. Wildlife and orchids in particular abound on the track verges and in the woods. Ophrys atlantica,
Ophrys picta, Ophrys scolopax, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys speculum, Ophrys fusca, Anacamptis papilionacea, Anancamptis champagneuxii, Neotinea conia, Orchis olbiensis, Orchis anthropophora.

* Pinos de Alhaurin.

As you leave the town westwards on the A-404 and some 200 metres past the last roundabout you will find on your left, a road through a large white freestanding arch. Follow this past the sports ground and club buildings for 500 metres and park near the road barrier. This places you in the foothills of the Sierra Mijas and in a landscape of wooded hillsides with occasional open areas of scrub. There are miles of walking tracks right up into the mountains and orchids are plentiful.
Ophrys atlantica, Ophrys scolopax, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys speculum, Ophrys fusca, Anacamptis papilionacea, Anancamptis champagneuxii, Anacamptis collina, Neotinea conia, Orchis olbiensis.

*
Algotocin

This is a small town situated to the south of the Grazalema National Park and from which a small, winding road heads eastwards to the town of Jubrique. The north facing hillsides along this route offer great opportunities for the orchid enthusiast.
Ophrys ficalhoana, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys fusca, Anacamptis papilionacea, Anacamptis champagneuxii, Dactylorhiza markusii, Epipactis tremolsii, Neotinea conia, Limodorum trabutianum, Orchis langei, Orchis mascula.

* Ojen

Travelling 10 kms north from Marbella you will arrive at the town of Ojen and some 3 kms further up the A-355 you will find the MA-5300 on your left. This road takes you to the Hotel Refugio del Juanar and orchids may be found along its length but particularly in the woodland that flanks parts of the track leading from the Hotel up to the viewpoint at Mirador de Juanar.
Ophrys fusca, Ophrys scolopax, Ophrys dyris, Ophrys speculum, Ophrys tenthredenifera, Ophrys quarterae, Anacamptis champagneuxii, Anacamptis collina, Neotinea maculata, Orchis olbiensis, Orchis olbiensis, Orchis langei, Orchis anthropophora, Orchis mascula, Orchis italica.