In the highest area of the municipality of Lanjarón we can find the cryo-Mediterranean zone; this zone only appears in the peaks of Sierra Nevada at more than 2900 m (in our municipality up to 3011 m), it is characterized by the total absence of trees, where the vegetation is based on Nevada grasslands, it is the area with the greatest number of endemic species; it extends from the Elorrieta Refuge to the Lavadero de la Reina passing through the vicinity of the Lanjarón lagoon (approx. 3000 m), the Bolaños lagoon (approx. 2900 m), and the Caballo lagoon (approx. 2830 m). We can find species such as the Sierra Violet (Viola crassiuscula); it lives from 2,500 m upwards. altitude, or species such as Sierra Nevada bunny (Linaria glaciales) that lives in the screes or slate slabs and mobile rocky areas of Sierra Nevada above 2,400 m. of altitude, other bioindicator species of this level are the Snow Star (Plantago nivalis), which grows very close to the ground to protect itself from the strong winds that hit the high peaks, it grows above 2,000 m. of altitude on the edges of borreguiles or Nevada pastures, or Festuca Clementei that lives in Nevada pastures on stony and scarce soils of the cryoro-Mediterranean level between 2,700 and 3,400 m.
It is also not unusual to see the Alpine Acetor (Prunilla collares) from 2,400 m or some Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), and the Common Partridge (Alectoris rufa) that can reach up to 3,000 m.
Among mammals, the Ibex (Capra naica) is the most emblematic species of the park, there are numerous specimens and it is easy to see grazing on the high mountain sheepfolds. The common vole (Pytimis duodecimcostatus), more common in wetland areas at lower altitudes, and the snow vole (Chionomys nivalis), which builds its burrows in rocky areas, also find shelter at these heights, as well as animals that serve as prey such as weasels (Mustela nivalis).
Next we find the Oromediterranean floor, which extends from 2,900 to 1,900 m above sea level. This is the limit zone for tree species. It covers the Tajo Las Pasiegas, Tajos del Cortadero, Tajos de la Cobertera, Refugio Ventura, Fuente Sordilla… In this floor, pine and juniper groves such as the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) or the creeping juniper (Juniperus sabina) develop, on more evolved soils juniper and broom groves appear, and in calcareous areas with little soil, juniper and juniper trees develop. In this floor we can find the Royal Chamomile (Artemisa granatensis), which is an endemic species found above 2,000 m above sea level; it is a rare species as it has been over-collected for decades. We can also find the yellow broom (Genista versicolor), or the Sierra thyme (Thymus serpylloides) that are found in the clearings of the juniper forest (Juniperus communis Subs. Hemisphaerica) and on stony and dry soils above 2000 meters of altitude. From 2000 meters we can also find the Sajareña (Sideritis glaciales), it is an endemic species of stony soils with medicinal properties digestive, used against ulcers.
In the juniper forests we can find the Snouted Adder (Vipera latasti), the Red Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) which reaches altitudes of up to 2700 metres, the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) or the Weasel (Mustela nivalis) which reaches altitudes of up to 2500 metres. In the oak and oak forests we can find the Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) or the Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus).
You can also see the Wild Cat (Felis silvestres), the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) or the Genet (Genetta genetta) among others.
Next we find the Supra-Mediterranean floor, which extends from 1900 metres (below the Haza del Sordo Cliffs) to 1500 metres above sea level, where the Tello area is located. The most characteristic of this thermotype are the tree-like formations, where we find oaks, junipers (Juniperus oxycedrus), barberries (Berberis hispanica), daphne (Daphne gnidium), butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) or hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). We can also find among the thyme bushes the wolf's ears (Phlomis crinita), or the blackthorn (Prunus ramburii).
