El Torcal is a natural park in the Andalusian Málaga Province.
background
The Paraje Natural de El Torcal is a very worth seeing nature park 14 km from Antequera away in the province of Málaga, in the park you can see the most impressive karst formations in all of Europe. They date back to 150 million years ago when the area was still covered by the sea. Shell limestone and clay were deposited in alternating layers. The ground gradually rose and pushed limestone slabs up to a height of 1,300 m. The layers of clay were washed out by erosion and fantastic stone structures have emerged over the years.
The park is 1,170 hectares in size. The highest point is that Camorro de las Siete Mesas (1,336 m). The erosion has also formed caves. In the Cueva del Toro (Bull's Cave) one found Neolithic artifacts.
At the parking lot there is a visitor center with a small museum, in which the origin of the stone formations, fauna and flora are shown.
history
The rock formations were formed 150 million years ago. In 1929 El Torcal was declared a nature reserve. In 1978 it became a nature park and finally in 1989 Paraje Natural (Natural area).
landscape
El Torcal is between 1,100 and 1,400 m high in the foothills of the Sierra Subbética.
Flora and fauna
Over 600 different plants grow in the park, including 30 different wild orchids.
Even the rare one Umbilicus rupestris (Venus navel) can be found here. The fauna is just as numerous. Amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, e.g. B. Chamois, can be observed.
climate
- It can snow in winter
- It's hot in summer
getting there
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Of Antequera At the junction of the A-92 and A-45, it is 14 km by car via the A-6311 in the direction of Villanueva de la Concepción to the park. The bus route from Antequera to Villanueva de la Concepción runs past the access road to the park.
Fees / permits
No
mobility
You need sturdy shoes for all walks in El Torcal.
- From the parking lot you can walk a short way to a lookout point and enjoy the view of the lower land.
- There are also two longer marked trails through El Torcal. The green circular route is shorter and easier to walk. It takes about an hour for the 1.5 km. He leads to Torca de La Maceta.
- The second yellow path is 2.5 km long and leads to Las Ventanillas (Window) at a height of 1,200 m with a beautiful view of Villanueva de la Concepción and the valley.
Tourist Attractions
The erosion of the limestone slabs has left interesting shapes. If you look closely and have imagination, you can see petrified animals and people.
Limestone formation
View of the valley
El "tornillo"
famous tree in the park
activities
hike
shop
kitchen
Especially in summer you should take something to drink with you. You can buy drinks in the visitor center.
accommodation
- See in Antequera
