Visit the Torcal de Antequera
The Torcal de Antequera Natural Area, in the heart of the province of Malaga and just over an hour by car from the famous Caminito del Rey, hides one of the most spectacular karstic landscapes in Europe where sinkholes or torcas predominate, rock formations shaped of circular depressions to which the Torcal owes its name.
The Torcal de Antequera Natural Area, a spectacular karstic landscape
An environment of limestone rock with more than 200 million years, which originated from the accumulation and deposit of marine sediments sensitive to erosion, the action of wind, snow and rain that has shaped for several hundred million years this peculiar landscape. In turn, we can find caves and chasms with remains of human presence since Prehistory.
A stone city to walk through its variety of routes and passages between natural rock sculptures, with a wide wealth of fauna and flora.
Walk the Torcal de Antequera along its free access routes
If you want to visit the Torcal de Antequera Natural Area, you can do so through its network of free trails for public use.
These routes are freely accessible and are signposted so that you can walk them without the need for authorization. It should be noted that it is advisable to follow these marked trails to avoid getting disoriented in the stone labyrinth, in addition to avoiding rocky, irregular and slippery terrain due to humidity.
The routes are not very difficult, and can be done even by the smallest members of the family. Walking along any of these routes will not only give you a pleasant contact with nature, but you will also get to know a peculiar geology where you can enjoy the whimsical designs carved by nature.
Hiking routes in Torcal de Antequera
Green route
We will find the beginning of the route in the upper car park, below the Astronomical Observatory in Llano de los Polvillares. It is a 1.5 kilometer circular route where we can learn about the morphology of El Torcal de Antequera, we will contemplate figures such as the Hoyo de la Burra, the Collado de la Tortuga, the Platform of the Boat, or the Platform of the Plate or the Watchman.
Yellow Route
This route, barely 3 km long, is circular and of little difficulty. The path starts from the car park and ends at the Visitor Center. On this tour you will be able to enjoy aerial and panoramic views, and once we cross the green route, we will enter the shady corridors and alleys, more humid areas and dense vegetation. You will find a great variety of figures such as the Camel, the Flowerpot, the Hand, the Bottle or the Seven Tables. Undoubtedly, a route to get to know El Torcal de Antequera in depth.
Orange route
The orange route or also called the Torcal Alto Route is a 3.7 linear kilometer route, starting and ending in the two car parks. We begin in the lower parking lot, where a path has been adapted that allows us to walk up to Torcal Alto, going through old quarries and pasture areas. From there we will ascend to the Manuel Grajales Viewpoint and the Majada del Fraile. The ascent continues to the Tinajuela Pass that leads to the Tosaires Gorge, ending at the Tornillo Natural Monument. From here, the route begins a descent to end at the upper car park.
Red route or “Ruta de los Ammonites”
The well-known “Ruta de los Ammonites” is a circular path of about 4 km that is unmarked and runs along part of the old red route closed to the public, so it is mandatory to follow it with a guide. Access to the area is restricted and a special permit is needed, so to visit it you will have to make a prior reservation here.
The Route of the Ammonites is a path with a stony and irregular path, of medium-low difficulty and approximately 3 hours long.
The most impressive of this route are: The panoramic views of the four cardinal points, Antequera to the north, the coast to the south, Sierra Nevada to the east and the Karstic labyrinth to the west; the multiple traces of marine fossils from the Jurassic period, hence its name; and the peculiar forms of limestone rock, an amazing Karstic landscape. Likewise, the visits are very didactic as they are guided by professional monitors, you will learn the most characteristic of this area: geology, flora, fauna and the history of man in El Torcal de Antequera.
Fauna and flora of Torcal de Antequera
Fauna
The fauna in the Torcal de Antequera is very diverse, you can find many species. However, one of its main riches are the birds, some all year round, others passing through or as a nesting area. We can find the golden eagle, the peregrine falcon, the Bonelli’s eagle or the griffon vulture.
Other birds of interest present in El Torcal de Antequera are the black and yellow wheatear, the eagle owl, the little owl, the common kestrel, the rock martin, the red-billed chough and many small birds such as the great tit, the great tit, the goldfinch …
As for the reptiles that inhabit the area, they depend to a great extent on thermal factors, which is why they are fully active in spring and summer. Times when you can see the ocellated lizard, the long-tailed and Iberian lizard, the ladder snake, the bastard snake and the long-nosed viper.
The most frequent mammals are the vole, the fox, the badger, the weasel and the rabbit.
Flora
El Torcal de Antequera preserves an area with rich and varied flora. The richness in botanical species is considerable and the most important plant communities within the area are the rupicolous ones, adapted to the fissures and crevices of the rocks.
We can also find holm oaks, gall oaks, rowans or maples in El Torcal. Thorns and brambles usually cover a large part of the Torcal Alto area, with honeysuckle, shrubs and plants from the forest border. One species to highlight is the ivy, which combines with the rock, giving shape to images of great beauty, with some truly spectacular specimens.
As you can see, the great botanical wealth of Torcal de Antequera contains rare or threatened plants, so we ask for your collaboration so that they do not disappear; try not to harm the plants, do not pluck their flowers, since these are generally the only ones that guarantee the reproduction of the plants that produce them.
I want to visit Torcal de Antequera, what do I need to know?
Thermal difference of -10ºC
Due to the altitude of El Torcal we can find a temperature difference of -10ºC with respect to the surroundings, so it is recommended to bring layered clothing and, above all, a windbreaker.
Wear suitable footwear
Should be suitable for walking on rocky and wet terrain, well lined hiking boots that cover the ankles are recommended.
Greater solar radiation
Its altitude means that we are exposed to more solar radiation, so we recommend wearing a hat and sun protection.
Map of Torcal de Antequera
Where to stay near Torcal de Antequera
Complejo Turístico Rural La Garganta offers you a range of charming rooms, next to Caminito del Rey, just over an hour’s drive from Torcal de Antequera. All of them are equipped to enjoy a perfect rest, with features for the most demanding: heating, air conditioning, satellite TV, WIFI, telephone…
If you want to know more about the Caminito del Rey, on this page we tell you everything.
Turn your visit to Torcal de Antequera into an unforgettable experience
Nobody like La Garganta can help you prepare your visit. Located in front of the Gaitanes Gorge, known as the El Chorro Gorge, through which the recently restored Caminito del Rey runs. If you are planning your visit to Torcal we can help you.
Common doubts of visitors to El Torcal
How to get to El Torcal de Antequera from La Garganta
There is only one access for vehicles, at kilometer 43 of the A-7075 between the towns of Antequera and Villanueva de la Concepción.
The best access from El Chorro is through Antequera, exiting Avenida de la Legión, towards Villanueva de la Concepción. Vehicle access to the Natural Area is limited to the capacity of the upper car park, next to the Visitor Center. Once complete, they will be sent to the lower access, where visitors can access on foot through the Yellow Route or with a round-trip shuttle.