Sierra de Los Filabres

Sierra de Los Filabres is a mountain range in the province of Almería in Andalusia, southern Spain, noted for high ridges and the Calar Alto astronomical observatory. The range contains some of the highest ground in the province and is a prominent inland massif of Almería.

The most visited feature is the Calar Alto Observatory, located above 2,100 metres, which attracts professional astronomers and occasional public visits; the range also offers hiking routes, mountain roads and panoramic views across inland Andalusia to the Mediterranean. Outdoor activities concentrate on day hikes and scenic drives rather than developed alpine infrastructure.

The area has long been used for pastoralism and rural farming; in the 20th century the summit plateau became the site for astronomical facilities because of its altitude and clear skies. Local villages developed around agriculture and mountain grazing.

The Sierra lies in central Almería province, inland from the coastal plain, forming part of the interior Andalusian uplands; the range is accessible by road from towns in northern Almería.

• Major observatory: Hosts a 3.5-m research telescope and other instruments at high altitude, making it one of continental Spain's principal astronomical sites.

What to See #

• Calar Alto Observatory: An astronomical complex on one of the range's highest summits hosting several telescopes, including a 3.5-m reflector; the observatory sits above 2,100 metres and is a major scientific facility on the Spanish mainland.