by Taetske | 2:11 pm
(Last Updated On: July 29, 2021)

 

El Torcal in the south of Spain, a magical place

 

In this video, you will fly over El Torcal and only hear lovely music.

 

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Andalusia in the south of Spain

I have been living half my life in the south of Spain. There are many special places to visit in Andalucia and one of them is El Torcal, an unusual and magical place. They included El Torcal as a landmark within the Antequera Dolmens site. They inscribed this on the UNESCO World Heritage list on July 15, 2016.

When visiting, you will have the feeling that you are transported to a faraway past, the land of dinosaurs. You can spend the whole day there as there are 3 different routes, from easy to more difficult. Take a picnic, water, sunscreen, and good walking shoes along.

The views can be breathtaking, and you will shoot a lot of pictures for sure. Take into account that it could be colder up there, but on a sunny day also really warm. The best is to be prepared for both weather conditions.

 

 

What is El Torcal?

El Torcal is an original Karstic landscape and a nature reserve located in the Sierra del Torcal mountains. Thru out the ages, the elements like water and wind have shaped the limestone into bizarre forms. You will find it close to the city of Antequera in the south of Spain.

This park opened for the first time in 1929  and boasts 17 square kilometers. In 1978 it became a National Park Reserve. The highest point is Camorro de las Siete Mesas and is 1346 meters in elevation.

 

The force of erosion

The limestone you see there is 150 million years old and in previous times was a seabed. During the Tertiary era, this seabed was uplifted and formed the now visible mountain range. Through erosion, the flat-lying limestone blocks became visible and form some unusual shapes and patterns.

The names like Camel, the Screw, and the Sphinx will give you an idea of what to expect. People have also compared it to a moon landscape. The fact is, when you walk there you will feel transported to another world.

 

Fox on the look out

Fox on the lookout image David Mark

 

Caves, fossils, and orchids

There are many caves and underground spaces. One of them is called Cueva del Toro (the cave of the bull) where Neolithic artifacts were found, including ancient cave paintings. There is evidence of human habitation from 5500 BC and continuous habitation since the bronze age.

The other cave is called la Marinaleda, and it seems it was used as a burial place. Visitors will see fossils on their walking trips. These fossils come from the time when this area was a sea.

 

Ammonite fossil

Ammonite fossil image Magda Sz

 

You will see the first inhabitants: the Ammonites and Belemnites. The Belemnites looked a bit like squids and belonged to the cephalopod class of the mollusk phylum and are related to the Ammonites and also to the modern octopus, squids, and nautiluses. Besides the unusual rock formations, you will see an abundance of fauna and flora.

 

Wild Orchid

Wild Orchid image Abrunat

 

For orchid lovers

There are 664 plant species to be found. Thirty (30) different types of orchids have been identified. They request visitors to not pick flowers or dig out plants as some of these species belong to the list of protected ones.

Even if the area seems to be barren, there actually is a lot of life. Lizards sunbathing, small rodents, foxes, mountain goats, and birds of prey like the golden eagle or the griffon vulture. Nowadays the area is a specially protected place for birds.

 

Golden-Eagle

Golden-Eagle image Kevinsphotos

 

The impressive golden eagle

The golden eagle is a magnificent hunter. They have powerful feet and with their sharp talons grab hares, rabbits, marmots, and some ground squirrels.  They reign over a vast territory that can be as big as 200 square kilometers. They build large nests on cliffs and higher places.

El Torcal is managed by the Environment and Water Agency of Andalucia and that is good, one should protect the valuable areas. In the US nowadays, National Parks are in jeopardy, which is really sad.

 

Do you enjoy climbing ?

The weather of Malaga is extremely mild, the summers not too hot and the winters not too cold. Malaga is only 120 km from the North African coast. Leaving the busy coast behind and moving inland, you will find the real Andalusia.

Rolling hills, charming white villages, and challenging rock parties for high-grade climbs, including stunning views. In this book, they explain the different areas with routes for beginners or seasoned climbers.

 

 

A prime location for Astronomical Observations

As the location of El Torcal is far away from cities with their pollution, the air is clean. At a height of 1200 meters above sea level, you can observe a clear starlit sky. This observatory is for public use.

The El Torcal Astronomical Observatory shows its visitors the possibility thru its fully equipped facility and with the skilled staff to enjoy this experience to view into the cosmos. There are also nighttime sessions which you can attend.

 

Conclusion

For all those people who love Fauna and Flora to visit El Torcal is a proper event for young and old I can really recommend.

Before you leave, you might want to visit Recommendations. It is a special page I made for you, have a look.

 

Source: Wikipedia

Photo Source: Pixabay

 

I have visited America 3 times in my life. I made a big 3-week trip in 2016 and was impressed by the amazing natural sites. Perhaps you like to read my post on Bears Ears in America.

Archaeological Sites are the History of a People

 

Comments

M Dalton

This looks like a fascinating place to visit. I have seen many of the worlds strange formations and El Torcal looks very special and beautiful. I will have put this on my list of places to go and explore.

Jun 13.2018 | 01:57 pm

    Taetske

    Good afternoon,

    Thank you for visiting my website and leaving a comment.
    To visit El Torcal is indeed very interesting. It has beautiful rock formations beside gorgeous views.
    Do come and visit the south of Spain, you will not be disappointed.

    Regards, Taetske

    Jun 13.2018 | 02:03 pm

Rae Anne Pond

This is a beautiful website, I felt like I was there in many of the pictures, especially the videos. I felt like your trip around the world was my trip too. Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures. When I was younger, I used to collect those clear white rocks. I can’t remember what they are called, stalagmite? I would polish them up and set them on my shelf but then when we moved, they were lost and I was so heart broken I didn’t look any longer. It looks like your journey continued. That is wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

Aug 07.2018 | 03:57 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Rae Anne,

    I am happy to hear you like my website and enjoyed reading my post on the El Torcal park. When traveling one can discover beautiful places which will give you lovely memories for the rest of your life.

    I know which stone you are talking about. Stalagmites are found in humid caves where it grows upwards with each drop falling down. I have also loved to collect stones since I was a small girl and still have a small collection in my house.

    Regards, Taetske 

    Aug 08.2018 | 06:53 am

Sujandar Mahesan

Such an amazing article this turned out to be for me. I learned about lots of places that in fact, I haven’t ever heard before reading this article. I learned about Andalusia, The El Torcal and the force of erosion. These are just so mesmerizing when I read it. 

Thank you so much for sharing this article with us.

Jan 11.2019 | 03:23 pm

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Sujandar,

    Thank you for your comment.

    You should come one day and visit the south of Spain. There are many beautiful places you can visit here. I am sure you would enjoy that. In case you come do not hesitate to contact me, I love to meet the people who visit my website.

    Regards, Taetske

    Jan 11.2019 | 06:43 pm

Chrissie Spurgeon

I love the sound of El Torcal, and it is now definitely on my list of places to visit!

Your photo of the Ammonite is amazing – is it really as big as your photo suggests? And the limestone formations look fascinating.

You are very lucky to live in such an interesting area. I visited Spain last year, but I did not get down to the south – I will certainly try to do that next time.

Very many thanks for your fascinating information.

Chrissie 🙂

Jan 11.2019 | 03:28 pm

    Taetske

    Good evening Chrissie,

    Thank you for leaving a comment on my website.

    Spain is a beautiful and interesting country. Each region has many special things one should see. I have lived here many years and still have not seen it all.

    How big the Ammonite is, in reality, I cannot say as it is not a private photo. Next week, depending on the weather, we plan to visit El Torcal. My last visit is already quite some years ago so I need to refresh my memories. I hope I will come across some interesting fossils and make some nice photos.

    Regards, Taetske

    Jan 11.2019 | 06:49 pm

phranell86

Just from the title of your site, I know I have to bookmark this one. I’ll surely be back for more. I am a lover of nature and would love to visit historical sites on every continent in the planet. I can only imagine what it will feel like to visit these natural sites that have been so shaped by the forces of nature. Reading about El Torcal on your blog, reminds me on geography classes in high school. Thanks for the nice visual appeal. It helps bring the subject home.

Jan 11.2019 | 03:34 pm

    Taetske

    Good evening Phranell,

    Thank you for visiting my website and leaving a comment. I hope you have downloaded your free PDF?

    You seem to like my article, that is nice. If ever possible you should try to visit Spain, a really beautiful country. If you make it to the south of Spain do not hesitate to contact me, ok?

    Regards, Taetske

    Jan 11.2019 | 07:36 pm

mzakapon

Wow! this is an excellent article about lime stone formation of El Torcal and Earth important treasures. I love those beautiful orchid and a personal hobby of collecting these (only 5 types). I have a dream of collecting at least 20 types. I believe all types of orchid has great scientific value. The pictures, presentation and specially orchid section is very good content. Thanks for sharing this informative article.

Jan 11.2019 | 03:35 pm

    Taetske

    Good evening Mzakapon,

    Nice to see you again and thank you for your comment.

    I have some Belgium friends who are really hopeless with their orchids. When the poor plants which they often get as a present are nearly dead they give them to me. Luckily in my house orchids are happy and completely recuperate, thanking me with beautiful flowers a couple of times a year.

    Regards, Taetske

    Jan 11.2019 | 07:41 pm

zuchii

Your write up is very descriptive and has the capacity to give readers an experience, keep it up. El Torcal seems to be an adventurous place to visit with lots of history, lessons and good memories, I can tell from the video, it takes one back to the beginning and allows you to admire nature in its rawest form. Most times this is what I need to cool off from the stress of city life.

Jan 11.2019 | 03:39 pm

    Taetske

    Good evening Zuchii,

    Thank you for your visit and comment.

    In a faraway corner of my garden, there is a fishpond and an old big tree. A little stone bench is standing under the tree. This is the ideal place to sit and meditate, observe nature and recharge the batteries.

    Next week we plan a trip to El Torcal. As it quite some time since my I visited it is time to go there and refresh my memories.

    Regards, Taetske

    Jan 11.2019 | 07:54 pm

Seun Afotanju

Very nice article you got here, even without pictures you made me want to go on vacation in Spain, El Torcal to see the wonderful things of life, the caves , fossils and orchid as I have not seen them as much as I will love to, and as for the golden eagle that is something I haven’t seen in a lifetime, Thanks for writing this article about this location.

Jan 11.2019 | 03:58 pm

    Taetske

    Good evening Seun,

    Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    El Torcal in the south of Spain is really a magical place. Next week we plan to make a trip there as it is quite some time since my last visit. I am happy you enjoyed my article.

    Regards, Taetske

    Jan 11.2019 | 08:00 pm

Henry

Hi Taetske! I love Spain! I have gone there twice. But haven’t been able to go to Andalucia yet! But I definitely have to! And after reading your post, I’m even more eager to go!

I have always heard about this beautiful landscape called El Troncal. It’s a great place to take all the family. And being able to do astronomical observations there, gives it a very special importance to me! Thank you for this awesome review!

Jan 11.2019 | 04:19 pm

    Taetske

    Good evening Henry,

    Nice to see you again. Thank you for your comment.

    Next week we plan a visit to El Torcal, my last visit is quite some years ago. 

    Your next visit should include the south of Spain and if you really come here do not hesitate to contact me. 

    Regards, Taetske

    Jan 11.2019 | 08:04 pm

Akshay

El Torcal in the South of Spain, I have just noted it down on my notepad. I found your post much refreshing and amazing. We are just getting out of this pandemic, now I believe is a suitable time to do a travel plan. And Andalucia and El Torcal will surely be on my top list. The information presented by you is in depth and covers all you need to know. 

Thanks a lot for sharing this valuable post.

Nov 13.2020 | 09:00 pm

    Taetske

    Gooid Morning Akshay,

    Nice to hear you find my post helpful. I would suggest if one day you plan to visit the south of Spain that springtime is the best. Nature is awake and you will be greeted by beautiful blossoms. For El Torcal, as it is high in the mountains end of March or beginning of April is ideal. The summer months can have some hot days, sometimes too much for people who are not used to warmer climates. 

    Thank you for your visit and for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget. 

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 14.2020 | 07:46 am

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