El Torcal

 

El Torcal near Antequera

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El Torcal Park Nature Reserve is known for it’s unusual limestone rock formations. Located about 30 km north of Málaga city in the direction of Antequera near the village of Villanueva de la Concepción, within El Torcal Park’s 17 square km are some of the most beautiful and impressive limestone landscapes in Europe. The whole area was under sea until one hundred million years ago.

Then the violent movements of the Earth’s crust forced it upward into hills and mountains up to 1.300 m, the limestone still kept its layered horizontal formation. Because of this, over the millions of years the rain and wind have been able to chisel away at these layers to form incredible shapes.

The whole area was under the sea until 150 million years ago. The violent movements of the earth’s crust then forced it upwards into hills and mountains . The limestone retained its horizontal strata, which over the years have been eroded by the rain and wind to form the incredible shapes you can see today.

Geologically, the area can be divided into four sections: Sierra Pelada, Torcal Alto, Torcal Bajo and Tajos and Laderas. Torcal Alto is the most impressive, divided from Torcal Bajo by a magnificent rocky ridge, Las Vilaneras, which has the highest point in El Torcal at 1,336m, known as Camorro de las Siete Meses.

There are also caves, like the Cueva del Toro, where Neolithic remains have been discovered

To reach the heart of the park it is possible to drive up to 1.100 m. above sea level along a good access road into the park. Simply go to the village of Villanueva de la Concepcion and follow the sign to El Torcal out of the town about 1 km. At the parking area you will find an information centre, small museum, with an interesting of view of the wildlife, flora and fauna of the park. Orchid enthusiasts will be captivated by the 30 varieties of the plant growing in the park.

Three routes through the park for walkers have been marked out with different coloured arrows on wooden sticks. The green route is the shortest and easiest, 1,5 km. and takes about 30 minutes. The yellow route covers most of the green area, is 2,5 km. long and takes you to “Las Ventanillas” The Windows, at 1.200 m. for panoramic views of the valley of Málaga. Finally the red route is the longest and most difficult, 4,5 km. taking about three hours, with a viewing point 1.339 m. up where you can see the whole of the El Torcal Park and the Africa Coastline.

Animal life is a little more sparse compared to other natural spots in the area due in part, to the severe environmental conditions. Nevertheless, there are numerous species of reptile and they can generally be spied, basking in the sun lying prone on the warm, grey rocks of El Torcal. One of the most spectacular reptiles is the Montpelier Snake which can be up to two metres in length and is the largest reptile to inhabit the mountain range. Similarly stunning is the Eyed Lizard which can be usually seen during the warm Spring and Summer months and is also an avid sunbather.

As far as birds are concerned, we must not forget to include the Griffon Vultures which constantly fly above the area in search of vulnerable animals. Other smaller birds also inhabit the rocky spot including the abubilla. The mammals, are not so abundant, although the mountain goats are here in designated areas and in the lower regions are such interesting and nocturnal mammals such as the badgers and polecats, weasels and a variety of rodents.

The best time for visiting El Torcal is during the Spring and Autumn although, in the cold winter months, the snow casts its immaculate veil over the landscape and it is almost worth putting up with the chilblains and cold, just to enjoy the close-up, the awesomely beautiful mountain vistas.

You need good walking shoes or trainers, in the warm months take a bottle of water. For more information about ‘El Torcal’ read the recent article in the Andalucia magazine. El Torcal de Antequera – The enchanted mountain range.   The Torcal natural park is entered from the village of Villanueva de la Concepción.

Animal life is a little more sparse compared to other natural spots in the area due in part, to the severe environmental conditions. Nevertheless, there are numerous species of reptile and they can generally be spied, basking in the sun lying prone on the warm, grey rocks of El Torcal. One of the most spectacular reptiles is the Montpelier Snake which can be up to two metres in length and is the largest reptile to inhabit the mountain range. Similarly stunning is the Eyed Lizard which can be usually seen during the warm Spring and Summer months and is also an avid sunbather.

As far as birds are concerned, we must not forget to include the Griffon Vultures which constantly fly above the area in search of vulnerable animals. Other smaller birds also inhabit the rocky spot including the abubilla. The mammals, are not so abundant, although the mountain goats are here in designated areas and in the lower regions are such interesting and nocturnal mammals such as the badgers and polecats, weasels and a variety of rodents.

The best time for visiting El Torcal is during the Spring and Autumn although, in the cold winter months, the snow casts its immaculate veil over the landscape and it is almost worth putting up with the chilblains and cold, just to enjoy the close-up, the awesomely beautiful mountain vistas.

You need good walking shoes or trainers, in the warm months take a bottle of water. For more information about ‘El Torcal’ read the recent article in the Andalucia magazine. El Torcal de Antequera – The enchanted mountain range.   The Torcal natural park is entered from the village of Villanueva de la Concepción.

 

HOW TO GET THERE

From Antequera, El Torcal is 15 km South on the A7075 on the right hand side on the decent into Villanueva de la Concepcion.

Torcal de Antequera Natural Area

Information
At the car park is an information centre, a small museum on the area’s flora and fauna and the starting points of walks.

For more information read our page on El Torcal Natural Area.

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