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- Feb 5, 2024, 11:00 AM
- ☁️ 11 °C
- Altitude: 1,117 m
- SpainAndalusiaVillanueva de la ConcepciónSierra del Torcal36°57’58” N 4°32’42” W
El Torcal Park
February 5 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
After a few days of ‘rest’, we knew we were ready to do a short hike in a park in the mountains just south of Antequera. We have seen several brochures advertising this place so decided to go.
The park is officially known as “Paraje Natural Torcal de Antequera” (“Torcal de Antequera Natural Park” in English). It is known for its unusual landforms and has one of the most impressive karst landscapes in Europe. We saw karst topography on Mallorca and Cuba. It is always amazing to see with its barren, rocky ground, caves, sinkholes, sometimes underground rivers, and the absence of streams and lakes on its surface.
“El Torcal” refers to the mountain range (the Sierra del Torcal) which is made up of limestone formed about 150 million years ago. The landscapes we saw in the park were created by millions of years of erosion and dissolution by water (karstification). At one time, the whole area was underwater. We saw fossils of sea creatures, anemones. It’s hard to believe that it was under the sea as we were 4,000’ up in the mountains.
The 30 minute drive to the park was beautiful. Few houses, flowering almond trees, the mountains and views out over the countryside.
We arrived at the Visitor Centre at around 11:30 am. and started our walk from the parking centre. There are several trails but we picked the 3 km yellow circular route that takes about 2 1/2 hours to walk.
Immediately, we were introduced to what we would be doing during the next couple of hours - scrambling and climbing over a very stony and irregular terrain with an incredible landscape. ‘Otherworldly’ is a good word to use. I am also very sure that there have been many sprained ankles during this hike!
We met a couple from Wyoming and walked with them. They were in Antequera too for a few days - mostly for the good hiking opportunities. Andy was a retired Yellowstone park ranger and Denise had worked in the travel industry. Both interesting people.
It was a magical place to spend a few hours under blue skies and the sun and with great company. We are happy we went.Read more
Traveler WoW! Impressionnant…
Ladyandtramp Thanks for your comments Diane! Motivates me to continue writing. Lol.
Traveler I love the rock formations. It reminds me of Bryce Canyon in Utah, except the colour is different. Looks like fun
Ladyandtramp So cool. They are similar. Torcal is limestone and I read that Bryce is sandstone. It was fun.