The Sierra de las Nieves, in Malaga, is one step closer to becoming a National Park, after the proposal of declaration was approved by the Governing Council of the Board this week.

Located in the hills behind Marbella and to the east of the Ronda-Marbella road, the area will soon join Sevilla’s Doñana and the Sierra Nevada parks in Andalucia.

The park is home to the largest population of Spanish firs in Andalusia and more than 150 species of birds.

It also includes several caves including Gesm, which is the third deepest in the world standing at 1,100 metres.