Paraje Natural Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo

The Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs Natural Area is one of the most spectacular and best-preserved natural spaces on the Costa Tropical of Granada and the Costa del Sol, located between the municipalities of La Herradura and Maro, on the border between the provinces of Granada and Málaga. It stretches along about 12 km of rugged coastline and also protects a one-mile marine zone offshore, giving it great ecological importance both on land and at sea. 

This natural area features steep cliffs that can reach over 250 m in height, alternating with coves and small, hard-to-access beaches shaped by marine erosion. These unique geological formations constitute one of the few undeveloped stretches of coastline in Andalusia, offering a landscape of striking beauty where sheer cliffs, underwater habitats, and hills covered with Mediterranean vegetation coexist. For history enthusiasts, there are remains of ancient watchtowers and fortifications, offering a glimpse into the maritime past of the area. 

On land, typical Mediterranean vegetation dominates, with scrubland and forests dotted with wild olives, dwarf palms, mastic trees, rosemary, and thyme, alongside rarer and endemic species such as Balearic boxwood and white rosemary, both listed as threatened. This plant diversity creates valuable habitats for a wide range of fauna, including numerous coastal birds such as gulls and other marine species that find refuge along the cliffs.

The natural value of the area is not limited to land; its marine zone hosts seagrass meadows of Posidonia oceanica, Zostera marina, and Zostera nodosa, which are essential for Mediterranean biodiversity and serve as breeding and shelter areas for many fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. In these clear waters, visitors can also observe corals, sponges, and a rich marine fauna, making this stretch of coastline a destination of interest for diving and snorkeling. 

The Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs Natural Area was declared a protected natural space in 1989 and has since been recognized as a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and a Special Conservation Area (ZEC), in addition to being part of the international SPAMI (Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance) network due to its ecological relevance. 

This environment offers visitors a unique combination of marine and terrestrial landscapes, biodiversity, spectacular viewpoints, and virtually untouched natural areas, making it an essential destination for nature lovers, wildlife observers, photographers, coastal hikers, and history enthusiasts.