The city of Malaga and its surroundings are worldwide known by tourists for its beaches, the warm Mediterranean Sea and the nightlife. However, I assure you that the southern province of Andalusia is full of countless places, which are less popular, but they will leave you speechless due to the beauty of its views and the grandeur of its whimsical nature. The Torcal of Antequera is one of these wonderful sites, where hiking lovers get amazed by its fantastic landscape. But, don’t worry if you aren’t a professional hiker, the Torcal also offers lots of suitable alternatives for everyone.
MY TRAIL IN THE TORCAL OF ANTEQUERA
I love to start hiking early in the morning, especially in south Spain, where in summer the temperatures rise relatively early or perhaps they never drop too much over the night. I suppose that I don’t need to explain you the importance of being prepared for the track. During the winter months you should have a look at the weather, since it can be quite cold. I remember that some time ago, I went with my friends to visit the Torcal in winter not really prepared for the cold temperatures, you know, nice looking clothes for Instagram pictures, but not enough warm. Imagine how cold we were, we came back home rather soon. Silly girls! 😂
The last time I visited the Torcal of Antequera, my trail was rather curious. During all the way the views of the Torcal were impressive. I started with the red route, of high difficulty, then I took the yellow one and I finish with the green, which is naturally easier. This way, I had the possibility to rest at the end of my path. The truth is that I was following a Wikiloc app, which offers plenty of diverse tracks for amateur or professional hikers, but somehow in the red part of the way, I lost my connection. Fortunately, I found the right way again. Lucky me!
However, relax and take it easy. In the Torcal there are plenty of different tracks for all tastes and levels. For sure you will find something suitable for you, which will make you enjoy this wonderful Natural Area. In fact, the green, yellow and orange tracks are perfectly marked and the paths are pleasant.
Types of official trails in the Torcal:
Green trail: it’s only 1.4 km long and it’s circular so you start and finish in the Visitor Center. It gives you an opportunity to discover the following places: el Hoyo de la Burra, la Esfinge, el Indio o el Vigía.
Yellow trail: it’s 2.8 km long and it’s also circular, so you start and finish in the the Visitor Center. You will pass by the following places: el Camello, la Jarra, la Grieta, el Burladero, el Púlpito o el Adelantado.
Orange trail: it’s 3.6 km long and its start in the lower parking area and finishes in the parking area next to Visitor Center. You can visit el Monumento Natural del Tornillo.
On the official website of the Torcal of Antequera you will find more information. Maybe you get interested in sunrise or sunset route in this spectacular place?
WHAT CAN YOU FIND IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY PLACE?
The Torcal of Antequera is a limestone formation and its origins date back to the Mesozoic era. At that time this land was covered by a gigantic area of salty water, inhabited by innumerable animals, whose skeletons were accumulated at the bottom of the sea after their death. They solidified and became limestone rocks, which emerged from the sea in the Tertiary Era, during the alpine orogenesis. By the way, in case you don’t remember from your Geography classes, the orogenesis is a process in which a mountain range is formed. A karstic landscape was formed with rocks whose unique shape, truly surprising to the visitors, was created due to the erosion by water that easily penetrates the limestone rocks. During my hiking in the Torcal I could observe up to three times the diverse ammonites, a memory form the old ages. Did you know that the ammonites, a species of mollusks, serve as a guide fossils, which allows the scientists to date the rocks?
However, the Torcal of Antequera isn’t just rocks, there are many plants and animals that you can see during your journey in this spectacular Natural Area. As I walked along my path I came across various plants, but if you ask me which one I`m not going to forget, it`s of course Milk thistle. I had once read that it’s difficult to find one meter long thistles, but I assure you, and you also can check it in my pics, that they exist. In the Torcal you will have a possibility to gaze at a true garden of gigantic thistles, called in Spain Cardo María or Cardo Lechero. Apparently, for centuries this plant has been used for medical purposes, especially to relive liver diseases. In the Torcal the thistles grow during the spring and summertime, and if you come to visit at this time of year, you will notice them surley in case you are wearing shorts. They prick a lot!
Finally, the fauna is also outstanding due to the fact that this mountains are inhabited by the most curios animals. There are up to 82 types of birds (griffon vultures are incredible), 22 types of mammals, 11 types of reptiles and one species of amphibian according to the official website of the Torcal of Antequera. During my last time, I stumbled upon a peregrine falcon, some ocellated lizard and mountain goats. However, the truth is that I was only agile enough to take a photo of the goats, which were resting peacefully in the shade of tree-shaped rock. I tried to make a video of the very lazy ones, but they didn’t move at all.
TIPS:
- Bring adequate clothes: feeling comfortable it’s a treasure, unless you whish to freeze in winter as me and my friends.
- If you have time, you should do a sunrise or sunset trial. There is nothing more beautiful that pictures taken in the golden hour.
- In summer it`s better to start early, because the temperatures can get really hot.
all about eve`s journeys 
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