The Torcal de Antequera Nature Reserve (1.171 hectares) is situated in the north of the province of Málaga, between the towns of Antequera and Villanueva de la Concepción.
It is known for its capricious rock forms, that have been formed by erosion. The limestone rocks, are forming one of the most remarkable karst landscapes in Europe. In 1929 the area was recognized as the first Natural Protected Area of National Interest in Andalusia. The blocks themselves have been subjected to both dissolution by water (karstification) and freeze-thaw splitting action that had its effects on the limestone’s horizontal beds. This resulted in the various shapes that are visible today. This effect will give you the feeling that you are walking on a different planet and besides this the natural formed shapes will give you the imagination to see statues of art and alien objects. If you keep your eyes open you can see a lot of mountain goats, that are sunbathing on the spacious rocks, so look around, because they are used to people and will not move if you are not coming to close.
The park has a visitor center (“Torcal Alto Visitor Center”) and has free access. The center has an interpretive area, multipurpose room, guide service, observatory, souvenir shop, restaurant, toilets and parking.
It has also a astronomical observation with telescopes: professional astronomers with great experience in activities directed to the general public and will show you the secrets of the night sky through different ways: at sight (recognition of the Polar Star, main constellations, planets …), through of screen projections (craters of the moon, planets …) and with powerful telescopes (deep sky and planets).
In the park are marked routes so you can take a route by yourself, but the park is also offering guided tours:
- a network of trails for public use
- “Ammonite Route” all Mondays (11:00 am to 2:00 pm) and every Saturday, Sunday and holidays (10:30 am)a spectacular guided trail, along the way there are many tracks of marine fossils of “Ammonites” and “Belemnites”
- guide you through secret paths that are hidden in this “stone sea”.
- Integral route of “Ammonites + Labyrinth” (old Red Route).
- Guided tour for families (Peque Safari).
- Route of the 5 Senses
- Astronomical observations for everybody.
- World Heritage Route
- “Stone on Stone” (Piedra sobre Piedra) is a complete guided tour through World Heritage of UNESCO in Antequera.
Opening hours:
Every day of the week
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (November to March)
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (April to October)
Closed: December 25, January 1 and 6.
Photo Gallery El Torcal de Antequera
