Torcal de Antequera – A Spectacular Karst Formation
Just 25 minutes drive from our Holiday Rentals
Open all year and free to visit, El Torcal Park Nature Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its unusual limestone karst rock formations that originated on the seabed during the Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago.
Within El Torcal Park's 17 square km are some of the most beautiful and impressive limestone landscapes in Europe created by millions of years of wind and rain erosion. There is a visitors center open for food & refreshments and several walking routes are available to suit all levels.
Green Route»: 1.5 km circular path of low difficulty and with an estimated completion time of 45 minutes.
Yellow Route»: 3 km circular path of medium difficulty and with an estimated completion time of 2 hours.
Orange Route»: linear ascent route with a steep level and that runs on asphalt from the lower parking lot (located at the entrance to El Torcal) to the upper parking lot (next to the El Torcal Alto Visitor Center).
Guided and Free Tours
World Heritage Site
Torcal Alto Visitor Center is free. The centre has an interpretive area, multipurpose room, guide service, observatory, shop, restaurant, toilets and parking. Open Daily
10:00 - 17:00 pm. (November March)
10:00 - 19:00 pm. (April-October)
Closed December 25 January 1 & 6.
Trekking
Wildlife in its Natural habitat
Family Adventures
The viewpoint “El Mirador de las Ventanillas” by the visitors center is worth the drive up even if you don’t fancy one of the walks. El Torcal has a declaration as a Special Protection Area for Birds so is a great place for bird watching. Griffon vultures are regulars at El Torcal and cast the most amazing shadows as their wingspan can reach 2.5 meters. Some of the other birds of interest are eagle owls, owlets, common kestrels, rock martins & red-billed choughs.
Family Adventures
Wildlife in its Natural habitat
Family Adventures
Wildlife in its Natural habitat
Wildlife in its Natural habitat
Wildlife in its Natural habitat
There is also a chance to see many of the reptiles who call El Torcal home. There are ocellated lizards, long-tailed and Iberian lizards, ladder snakes, bastard snakes and long-nosed vipers; while among the mammals there are voles, foxes, badgers, weasels, rabbits and not forgetting the IBEX, the wild mountain goat.
Spectacular Sun Sets
Route of the Ammonites
Wildlife in its Natural habitat
Route of the Ammonites
Route of the Ammonites
Route of the Ammonites
Ammonites lived under the Sea of Thetys millions of years ago (Ocean of the Jurassic Period) their fossils are abundant at the top of El Torcal de Antequera
Vast Views
Route of the Ammonites
Route of the Ammonites