El Torcal de Antequera Nature Reserve

El Torcal. A fascinating area in which kilometers or time are not important, because this seems to have stopped here. There is a shorter and a longer route that I highly recommend. If you take your time, you can discover a lot: ibex, vultures and bizarrely beautiful rock formations. Especially when there is not much going on, this is a fantastic place to simply switch off and let the ingenuity of nature work its magic on you.

El Torcal is a nature reserve in the Sierra del Torcal mountain range. The otherworldly landscape comprises endless peculiar rock formations. At times, it feels like you’re exploring a planet from Star Wars. The reserve is home to lots of wildlife, including griffon vulture, Spanish ibex, Andalusian mountain goat, peregrine falcon, and Bonelli's eagle. When you climb atop the rock formations, the views are utterly breathtaking.

On a practical note, the landscape is hard going. When planning Tours, anticipate your average speed will be less than 2mph (3.2kph). Sturdy shoes are a must. Also, even if it’s warmer below, temperatures are considerably cooler up here and winds are much stronger, so layer up!

It is a 2,750m route, of easy or medium difficulty, circular and 2 hours long, although it can be done in much less time. The yellow route includes part of the green route, the shortest and also suitable for all types of visitors or hikers looking for little difficulty.