The Nature Reserve of El Torcal
near Antequera
Prologue:
El Torcal is known for it's very unique limestone rock formations.
The Nature reserve is of outstanding beauty and found in the north of the Málaga Province and near the town of Antequera. El Torcal was the first Nature reserve in Andalucía (1929) which was classed of National Nature Interest. In 1989 the government of Andalucía declared an area of 1171 hectares as a Nature Reserve for its geological, botanical and unique landscape.
At the entry to the park you can find a Visitor Centre which contains a museum, souvenir shop and cafeteria. There you can get any related information.
El Torcal is about 1 h 30 minutes drive from Málaga.
- Coming from Málaga A-7 you drive in direction Sevilla A-45 and A-92
- Turn towards Antequera A-343 and follow the signs for El Torcal around the town.
- The road A-7075 takes you above the town and after 15 min you turn towards the Nature Park of El Torcal and the Visitor Center of Centro de Visitantes del Torcal.
- The Hike starts at the visitor center to the right.
- Information boards indicates the route you can take.
- They are marked green (verde) 1,4 km/45 min. and yellow (amarillo) 2,750 km/2h.
Because of its location and the height of 1200 m. El Torcal
Nature park temperatures can be quite a bit cooler than the coast.
The Hike itself is moderate but appropriate shoes are advisable.
Overlooking the highway, an Osborne Bull (Torro) the symbol of Andalucía.
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| Tajo Prieto |
As you near the town of Antequera limestone rock comes into view.
In Antequera you find brown signposts showing you the way.
On the way out of Antequera we stopped for coffee at the El Mirador Restaurant.
From here the panoramic views over the city are stunning.
On the horizon you can see the mount of Peña de los Enamorados and on the right the Moorish castle (Alcazaba).
As the road takes a steady climb the countryside becomes sparse.
Ahead of us we can see the Nature Park of El Torcal.
We stopped at the Viewpoint of Mirador Diego Monea.
From here you look towards the coast of Málaga.
The panoramic view is amazing.
When you arrive at the Visitor Center of Centro de Visitantes del Torcal you will find a large car park.
At about 100 meters right at front you find the Viewpoint
Mirador las Ventanillas.
From here you get a good view of what will be awaiting you at El Torcal and even if you don't do the hike you will have a taste of it.
An information board explains to you what you are looking at.
The view reach as far as the coast of Málaga.
Right below you can see the village of Víllanueva de la Conceptión.
The rocks you can see from this viewpoint are limestone. They are the result of the accumulation of shells and skeletons of marine animals deposited in successive layers on the floor of an extensive sea which covered this area around 200 million years ago (during the Jurassic Period).
Information taken from board.
Around 20 million years ago, during the Alpine Ontogeny, the carbonate sediments (already transformed into limestone) were compressed, deformed and fractured, until they emerged in a slow and continuous process that is still taking place today. The limestone have remained exposed to atmospheric weathering and erosion since that time.
Information taken from board.
After their emergence, the slow continuous action of rainwater, snow and wind has caused the erosion and dissolution of limestone rocks, generating this particular land-form known as karst or karstic landscape.
Information taken from board.
Back at the visitor centre we turned right towards the car park to begin our hike.
Information board will tell which route to take.
This time we took the the green route
(Ruta Verde Sendero del Torcal Alto).
The yellow route will follow on from this one.
The path leads you through a maze of rocks but it is easy to follow and it slopes gently up and down.
You find yourself in a different world.
Quite amazing!!
Pretty lilac flowers make a nice contrast in this rocky landscape.
After the first autumn rain the countryside comes into bloom rapidly.
Not soon after the start of our hike
as we looked up we found a group of mountain goats
(Cabras del Monte) looking down at us.
A magnificent ram
stared right at us.
He looked quite happy and relaxed up there.
Eventually he turned his back to us
and disappeared behind the rocks.
You can let you imagination run free here and give names to the rock formations you see.
People look like ants among the rocks.
Lilac flowers everywhere, we were very careful not to step on them.
It is best advised to stay on the path
as you can find deep crevasses between the rocks.
Poles with arrows show you the way.
You find yourself surrounded by this unique landscape.
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| Montpellier Maple (Acer monspessulanum) |
This Maple tree is in the red book of threatened wildflowers of Andalucía.
An ideal rock to have a rest
and to take in the views
which take you along a Jurassic valley.
A sign post indicates which route you like to take.
We kept to the left which takes you back to the visitor center.
We carry on
through such a
dramatic landscape.
Which could be from the beginning of time!
A Jurassic Lego park!
We found an ideal rock for a picnic.
Down in the valley a lonely cow strolls along the path.
It seem to know its way!
Between the rocks we saw another one grazing happily.
The track leads through a narrow gully.
At the other side we found our selves
in the open again.
Many different shrubs and herbal plants grow between the rocks.
El Torcal has been used by people since the Paleolithic times.
Back at the visitor center it is worth having a look at the museum.
There are interactive features which would interest children.
On the way down we noticed
a group of
Andalusian Mountain goats (Cabras del Monte)
again as they crossed the road right in front of us.
We were sad to leave this unique and fascinating landscape.
Some grazing sheep.
Even domestic animals blend into the landscape.
What an idyllic setting for the farm house.
At the junction we turn right
towards the village of
Vilalnuevo de la Comnception.
A last gaze towards the Nature park of El Torcal.
How to get to Antequera and the Nature Park of El Torcal
Map of El Torcal, line in red indicates the hiking trail.
Related links: El Torcal
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