The Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park[a] (Spanish: Parque natural de las Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama) is a protected area in the Spanish provinces of Málaga and Granada.

[b] The park is mountainous and is partly covered by pine forests at the lower levels, while typical Mediterranean vegetation is found higher up.

[3] The park was designated a Site of Community Importance (SCI) of the Mediterranean Biogeographic Region by the European Commission on 19 July 2006.

Temperatures in the areas with marine influence, including Nerja, Almuñecar, Frigiliana, Cómpeta, Canillas and Otívar, range from 4 to 30 °C (39 to 86 °F).

[3] The Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Mountains extend north from the Mediterranean coast, with peaks over 1,500 metres (4,900 ft).

The peak of Tejeda (La Maroma) is 2,065 metres (6,775 ft) high, and commands dramatic views of the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean coast.

[3] The rivers and streams descend rapidly down the mountain slopes, with spectacular waterfalls such as Los Árboles Petrificados (The Petrified Trees), where limestone (calcium carbonate) in the water fossilized ancient logs.

[6] The principal peaks are:[7] The name "Tejeda'" refers to the abundance of Taxus baccata (yew) trees in the past.

Notable flora include Buxus balearica (Balearic boxwood), Juniperus phoenicea (Phoenician juniper) and Ephedra distachya (joint pine).

Other shrubs and woodland plants include Chamaerops (dwarf fan palm), Sorbus (rowan), Genisteae (broom), Acer granatense (Spanish Maple), Rhamnus cathartica (buckthorn), Maytenus senegalensis (spike thorn), Cneorum tricoccon (spurge olive], Sorbus aria (white beam tree), Viburnum tinus (laurestinus), Cotoneaster granatensis (cotoneaster) and Adenocarpus decorticans (goosefoot).

[5] Common plants in the scrubland are Prunus prostrata (mountain cherry), Erinacea anthyllis (hedgehog broom), Astragalus granatensis (milk vetch), Echinospartum boissieri and hormathophylla spinosa (spiny madwort).

The dolomitic gravel and sand areas have been colonized by endemic plants such as the knapweeds Centaurea bombycina and Centaurea prolongi, Saxifraga erioblasta, linaria amoi (toadflax), Erysimum myriophyllum (wallflower) Anthyllis tejedensis (Kidney vetch), Hippocrepis eriocarpa, Erinus alpinus (fairy foxglove), Silene boryi, Pinguicula submediterranea (a butterwort), Hieracium texedense, Aquilegia vulgaris (purple columbine), andryala agardhii, Odontites longiflora, Polygala boissieri (a milkwort) and Iberis grossi.

[3] The steep mountain slopes and poor soils are unsuitable for agriculture, but the local people have hunted in the forests, and used the trees for pine resin, charcoal and firewood.

[1] The region has been home to diverse cultures, including a strong Muslim heritage, with white villages scattered through the remote valleys and mountain ranges.

Alhama has an interesting complex of buildings of Roman, Andalusian and Moorish origin, with limestone facades and twisted arches, stairways and towers.

The Axarquía, of marked Moorish character, has one of the most representative architectural samples in the Alminar Tower of the town of Salares.