EL TORCAL DE ANTEQUERA

The Torcal de Antequera Natural Park, in the heart of the province of Malaga, hides one of the most spectacular karst landscapes in Europe, where sinkholes, or “torcas”, predominate. These are circular rock formations to which the area El Torcal owes its name.

Torcal de Antequera Natural Area, a spectacular karst landscape

The area is a limestone rock environment, between 1100 and 1200 meters above the sea level, with more than 200 million years of age. The whole area was under the sea until 150 million years ago. It originated from the accumulation and deposit of marine sediments, sensitive to erosion, to the action of wind, snow and rain. Nature has shaped this peculiar landscape for several hundred million years. Caves and chasms with remains of human presence since Prehistory are present in the area. El Torcal is found about 30 km north of Málaga city, in the direction of Antequera.

A vast landscape of stone and rocks to discover

Walking and hiking through a variety of routes and passageways between natural rock sculptures is a unique experience. There is also fauna and flora to be seen when you visit El Torcal. 

There are many free access routes and trails within the Torcal de Antequera Natural Park. You can visit the area for free. 

These routes are easily accessible,  and they are marked so that you can make use of them without authorization. It is advisable to follow the marked trails, to avoid being disoriented or getting lost in the stone labyrinth. 

Most of the routes are easy to walk, even for kids. The excursion is a nice family activity.

Hiking routes in Torcal de Antequera

The Green Route

The route starts in the upper car park, below the Astronomical Observatory in the Llano de Los Polvillares. It is a 1.5-kilometre circular route.

The Yellow Route

This route, barely 3 km long, is circular and of little difficulty. The path starts from the parking lot and ends at the Visitor Center. On the way, you will be able to enjoy beautiful panoramic views. Once the route passes the green route crossing, you will approach the more shady paths and alleys, where there are more humid areas and dense vegetation. 

The Red Route

The red route is the longest. It is 4,5 kilometres long and takes around three hours to walk. It has a panoramic viewpoint at 1,339m, where you can see all the Torcal area, and, on clear days, even the African coastline.

Flora & Fauna

El Torcal de Antequera preserves an area with rich and varied flora. The richness in botanical species is considerable. The most important plants are the rupicolous ones, those who have adapted to the fissures and crevices of the rocks.

The Torcal area supports a rich birdlife. Birds flying above the rocks often include sparrowhawks, common kestrels, peregrines, griffon vultures and Bonelli’s eagles. Most common birds in rocky areas like crag martins, black wheatears and red-billed choughs, can also be seen.

When staying at Quartiers Marbella Apartments, you can make an excursion to El Torcal in Antequera by car, or join an organized tour. The drive takes around an hour and a half, but it is well worth it if you want to see one of Europe’s most unique karst landscapes and go for an unforgettable hike.

When you get back, you can relax and get all the rest you need in your spacious and private apartment. Take a drink on the terrace, enjoy the stay with us, the sunset, the view of the Mediterranean and the African coast.

Can you imagine a better plan for an escape or a holiday in the next few months? We only forgot to mention, the pools at Quartiers Marbella Apartments are still open. On sunny days you can sunbathe and swim all year round. Our infinity pool is heated, and day temperatures in the sun in Marbella can still rise above 25C. Welcome to Quartiers Marbella Apartments. A luxury vacation paradise and holiday accommodation on the Costa del Sol in Southern Spain!

LET’S GO HIKING IN MARBELLA – Amazing hikes and walks in Southern Spain. There are several nice hiking routes close to Quartiers Marbella Apartments. Some of them are quite easy to walk and suitable for families with children, others are a little bit more difficult and require some hiking experience.

EL CAMINITO DEL REY – King’s Little Pathway. The hiking route is often called  ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Footpath’ and the ‘One of The World’s Scariest Hikes’. Today it is completely safe to visit, but still, It is an exciting challenge to walk along the 300-meter high mountain wall with scaring deep gorges under your feet.

SIERRA NEVADA – Discover the glorious mountain world of Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Nevada ski resort is a paradise for snow lovers. It’s the southernmost ski resort in Europe, where you can enjoy the snow and sunshine at the same time. It’s the European ski destination where one enjoys the greatest number of sunny days a year. Also, it is a paradise for mountain hikes all year round.