El Torcal de Antequera

Parque Natural El Torqual


Useful Information

photography
El Torcal de Antequera, Spain. Public Domain.
photography
El Torcal de Antequera, Spain. Public Domain.
photography
El Torcal de Antequera, Spain. Public Domain.
Location: 40 km north of Málaga, 15 km south of Antequera. Follow the road C3310 through Villanueva de la Concepción. Some km after the village a road to the left leads to the Visitor Center.
(36.963611, -4.545556)
Open: Visitor Center: NOV to MAR daily 10-17. APR to OCT daily 10-19.
Closed 25-DEC. 01-JAN, 06-JAN.
Route of Ammonites: All year Sat 10:30, 15:15. Please be there 30 min earlier for briefing.
[2020]
Fee: free.
Route of Ammonites: Adults EUR 10, Children (7-12) EUR 9, Children (0-6) not allowed.
[2020]
Classification: KarstBare karst KarstStone Forest
Light: n/a
Dimension: A=1,100-1,370 m asl
Guided tours: self guided.
Green Trail: L=1.5 km, D=60minutes.
Yellow Trail: L=3 km, D=2 h.
Route of Ammonites: L=4.5 km, D=3 h.
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: Centro de Visitantes Torcal Alto, Ctra. A-7075, km 42 (Antequera, Málaga). E-mail: E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1989 declared a natural monument.

Description

photography
El Torcal de Antequera, Spain. Public Domain.
photography
El Torcal de Antequera, Spain. Public Domain.

The limestone rocks of El Torcal de Antequera are formed by erosion and corrosion. You see Karstkarren giving the rocks a fantastic shape. There are towers, gorges, sculptures and balancing rocks. And of course there are typical features of a bare karst area: loosing streams, karren, dolines, and caves.

The easiest way to visit this area is by foot from the Visitor Center. Here start several trails which are easy to walk, physical ability and appropriate clothes (shoes) provided. The green trail is for the sunday visitor, 1.5 km stroll, an interesting hour in the park. The yellow and red trails are for the more ambitious visitors. As typical for Spain, the weather is mostly sunny in the park, only in winter there may be some rains and the park is often misty. Normally sun protection, a hat, enough to drink and good walking shoes are the appropriate equipment.

The green trail is only 1,5 km long, so you can walk it in 30 minutes. If you take pictures and inspect the nature and gelology which surrounds you it a nice hour. Start on the right side of the Visitor Center and you'll return on the left side.

The yellow trail is twice as long, 3 km, and you could spend two hours walking it. It starts at the same point, but after a few meter branches off to the right. The trail is a little more difficult than the green trail and it offers a great view to the coast and to Malaga.

The Route des Ammoniter (Route of Ammonites) or red trail is a trail which is only accessible with a guided tour. The reason is not its difficulty, but the abundance of ammonites in the rock which are fragile and so the trail is only allowed with a guide to protect them. You should book online and be there at least half an hour early for the briefing. The trail is 4.5 km long and more difficult than the other trails and requires surefootedness.

The flora and fauna are quite exceptional. There are 11 different kinds of reptiles, lizards and snakes, vultures, and ibex.