The Torcal in Southern Spain

A surreal landscape has been thrust up from beneath the sea and forms an area now 1000 metres above sea level in Andalucia, Southern Spain. North of the city of Malaga, The Torcal is made up of silvery-grey limestone which was created underwater more than 100 million years ago. The sedimentary layers of rock were pushed upwards by the same tectonic plate movements which created the Alpine mountains. These plates continued to move, causing giant fissures in the rocks.

Over the last few million years this Andalucian landscape has been further shaped by wind and rain into spectacular sculptures balancing at precarious angles. These sculptures stand alongside mysterious caves and crevasses. Neolithic remains have been found in one of the more important caves called Cueva del Toro (Cave of the Bull). Roman remains have also been discovered in other sites.

Animals in The Torcal

These days The Torcal is home to animals such as foxes, Spanish ibex and badgers. Standing quietly you may see the shy mountain goats or lizards and snakes sunning themselves on the crags. There is only one poisonous viper in the area. The Lataste’s viper is grey with a black zig zag down its back, and a triangular shaped head.

Birdwatching in The Torcal

There are 82 varieties of birds including:

• Imperial eagles
• Griffon vultures
• Peregrine falcons
• owls
• kestrels
• goldfinch
• woodlarks
• redstarts

Plants and Wild Flowers

Hundreds of different plants are in bloom throughout the year, especially in the spring and autumn, spilling out from the clay soil in the smaller caves and clinging to the fractured boulders.

Look for:

• wild roses, honeysuckle, hawthorn, the white flowers of the mossy rockfoil and subterranean clover, bright yellow flowers of the biting stonecrop, ferns, snap dragons, wild rosemary.
• In the more open spaces blue grass, milk thistles, wild orchids and pinks, jostle with buckthorn and blackberry bushes.
• Evergreen Holm Oak trees, Mountain Ash and Maples provide haven for the birds, while ivy climbs up and along any surface it can find.

Hiking Trails

The Torcal became a protected area in 1929 and there are laws which forbid damage to the plant and animal life as well as the rocks. There are hiking trails with information boards through the 17 square kilometers of parkland and you are advised to wear rubber soled shoes and to stay away from the pits and holes.

Entrance is free.

There is a visitor’s centre with information, a photographic exhibition, and vending machines with drinks. Tel 0034 952 03 13 89

How to get There

From Malaga take the N331 motorway to Antequera. Then the C3310, which climbs up a fairly steep road leading to the park itself.

The Torcal In Southern Spain

Torcal Scultpure

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