Finca Las Morenas is located in the beautiful Sierra de las Nieves mountains, approximately one hour from Málaga airport. The Finca is situated in a very private location between the villages of Yunquera and El Burgo.
The house is perfectly situated for anyone who enjoys nature and an outdoor lifestyle as we are right in the centre of the Sierra de las Nieves biosphere in a beautiful and unique location where the only sounds are the birds, breeze and occasional riders on horseback or mountain bikers passing through the recently upgraded National Park.
Yunquera is a traditional white village where you can escape the pressures of modern life and experience a part of rural Spain that still maintains a very relaxed pace of life.
You are very likely to see the local goat farmers tending their herds in the countryside beside the roads and don’t be surprised if someone trots past on their horse whilst you are enjoying a coffee in the village.

The main house and guest casita are completely off-grid with all our electricity generated by our newly-installed solar panels.
Heating and cooking appliances run on propane gas from a large tank on the property.
We have our own well and all rainwater is collected from the roof of the main house and guest accommodation.

Sustainability
At Finca las Morenas we make every effort to ensure that we are doing as much as possible to conserve resources and be as energy efficient as possible, without compromising on comfort.
We have used local labour to complete all of the work on the house, using sustainable and recycled materials in the refurbishment of the accommodation and actively promote rural tourism and encourage our guests to use local shops and restaurants in our village.
Here are a few of the water-saving & energy saving features we engage in at Finca las Morenas
Rainwater harvesting
Grey water recycling for garden
Low flo water-saving ecosmart taps
Nebia water-saving showers
Half-flush toilets
Drought-tolerant planting
Native plant species
Organic gardening practices
Led Lighting throughout
A+ & A++ appliances throughout
Recycling of all paper, glass, metal and plastic
Use of reclaimed materials and furniture wherever possible

Little Extras
We provide a basic welcome pack for our guests comprising: homemade bread; butter; jam; milk; tea & coffee; wine; eggs; olive oil; etc. Fresh fruit and other produce is available from the garden when in season.
We have tried to think of the necessary store cupboard staples that make it easier for our guests to prepare interesting meals at the house and we supply a selection of basic cooking ingredients. In addition, for a small charge, we are happy to get small quantities of food shopping for you in advance of your arrival – especially if you are arriving on a Sunday when all shops are closed. Please give us as much notice as possible, should you require this service.

About us
We moved here in the summer of 2016 after spending the last 20 years running a garden design company in London. We specialised in designing and building Mediterranean, drought-tolerant gardens for clients in and around the South East of England and it was always our dream to create a true Mediterranean garden here in Spain.

We stayed in many different parts of Andalucía before finally deciding to settle here in Yunquera. The spectacular mountain environment, combined with the style of the house and the opportunities to create a special place to live and welcome visitors, whilst creating our Mediterranean garden, convinced us that this was the perfect location for our new adventure.

The opening of the Casa Rural is the first stage in our project and we hope that you will take the opportunity to read about our future plans for the property as, although the guest accommodation is now complete, we have lots of exciting plans.
With our garden design background, we are embracing the opportunity to design and create a Mediterranean garden, utilising only drought-resistant native plants that will survive with minimal water.

Location
The National Park Sierra de Las Nieves is literally behind the house, providing immediate access to many walks and trails without needing to drive anywhere. The views from the track that leads up behind the house are dramatic and far reaching and you can walk for miles on marked routes and tracks throughout the park.

Our property is a great base for exploring the area – walking, horse riding, mountain biking, birdwatching and painting are a few of the many activities that can be enjoyed here.
In the future we will also be offering garden design and Mediterranean planting design courses.

Fauna
Mammals, birds, reptiles and insects seen in the park and the surrounding areas are typical of those found throughout southern Spain. However, because the Park is a protected area, the chance of seeing some of the more uncommon species is far greater than elsewhere.

Depending on the season and time of day, we have spotted Griffon Vulture; Short-toed and Bonelli’s Eagles; Bee-eaters; Ravens; Sardinian Warblers; Egyptian Mongoose; Wild Boar; Fire Salamanders; Montpelier Snake; Lataste’s Viper; Praying Mantis and many others – all within a short walk of the accommodation.

Flora
Due to the relative height of the mountains in the Park, there is ample rainfall – mostly during winter and spring – to support the forest of pine, fir and oak which covers much of the area. Aleppo, Maritime and Umbrella Pine are common, particularly in the drier areas and give the landscape its vibrant green colour all year round.

Evergreen Oak forest would be the climax vegetation cover for much of Southern Spain and there is a concerted effort being made by the Forestry Department of the Junta de Andalucía to replant areas of pine with oak over the longer term. Holm, Gall and Cork Oaks are found wherever the soil conditions suit the different species. Other trees include Chestnuts in the more moist sheltered areas; Ash usually by stream beds; Carob up to 1000m on the hotter, drier slopes; Wild Olive; Strawberry Tree and, of course, the Spanish Fir at higher levels.

Beneath the trees and forming much of the vegetation on open, uncultivated ground can be found some of the most species-rich plant communities in the whole of Europe. The influence of the Atlantic, North African and Western Mediterranean floristic elements has resulted in a great diversity of plant species – over 1,000 of which are endemic to Andalucía. Common plant families represented in the Park include Cistus; Pistacia; Rhamnus; Daphne; Cytisus; Chamaerops; Juniper; Genista; Rosmarinus; Lavandula and many more.

Flora
Due to the relative height of the mountains in the Park, there is ample rainfall – mostly during winter and spring – to support the forest of pine, fir and oak which covers much of the area. Aleppo, Maritime and Umbrella Pine are common, particularly in the drier areas and give the landscape its vibrant green colour all year round.

Evergreen Oak forest would be the climax vegetation cover for much of Southern Spain and there is a concerted effort being made by the Forestry Department of the Junta de Andalucía to replant areas of pine with oak over the longer term. Holm, Gall and Cork Oaks are found wherever the soil conditions suit the different species. Other trees include Chestnuts in the more moist sheltered areas; Ash usually by stream beds; Carob up to 1000m on the hotter, drier slopes; Wild Olive; Strawberry Tree and, of course, the Spanish Fir at higher levels.

Beneath the trees and forming much of the vegetation on open, uncultivated ground can be found some of the most species-rich plant communities in the whole of Europe. The influence of the Atlantic, North African and Western Mediterranean floristic elements has resulted in a great diversity of plant species – over 1,000 of which are endemic to Andalucía. Common plant families represented in the Park include Cistus; Pistacia; Rhamnus; Daphne; Cytisus; Chamaerops; Juniper; Genista; Rosmarinus; Lavandula and many more.