The Natural Park of Sierra María-Los Vélez, which is the northernmost in the province was declared a Natural Park in 1987. It covers some 22,500 hectares of outstandingly beautiful landscape which combines rugged areas with lush scenery and mountains which are snow clad in winter and contrast with the barren desert landscape which is characteristic in Almería.

The biodiversity of vegetable species includes more than 1,200 plants with holm oak populations, which grow at 1,000 meters in altitude, being one of the most representative. Also widespread are two species of pine: black and swamp pines.

The area also provides shelter to a wide range of endemic animal species and birds of prey, such as Spanish imperial, booted, and short toed eagles, common buzzards, hawks, goshawks and peregrine falcons. Griffon vultures are also being reintroduced.

Mammals are also abundant in these forests. Of special note are Spanish wild cats, genets, foxes, polecats which share their habitat with red squirrels and other reptiles.