{"id":78096,"date":"2026-08-26T11:49:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T09:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=78096"},"modified":"2026-10-29T20:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T19:18:08","slug":"el-torcal-de-antequera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/el-torcal-de-antequera\/","title":{"rendered":"El Torcal de Antequera"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"product\"><div class=\"product\">\n<p><strong>El Torcal is the largest karst landscape in Europe<\/strong>, admission is free and the three signposted routes can be followed at your own pace.<\/p>\n<p><strong>But there\u2019s one thing that determines the whole day: the time you arrive at the car park.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<h2>What you need to know before leaving home<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Parking at Torcal Alto is free, but there are only a limited number of spaces.<\/strong> And there\u2019s nowhere else nearby:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>At weekends and on public holidays, you must arrive before 9.30.<\/strong> Then it fills up.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Parking is not permitted on the access road.<\/strong> It is prohibited along the entire stretch.<\/li>\n<li><strong>If it\u2019s full, you\u2019ll need to go down to the lower car park and take the shuttle bus.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>This is the most common mistake here:<\/strong> to arrive at midday on a Sunday, find it full and not be able to park the car anywhere.<\/p>\n<p><em>On weekdays and outside the peak season, this isn\u2019t a problem.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2>Opening times, prices and what\u2019s on offer<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td><strong>Entrance to the site<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Free<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>The three signposted routes<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Free and self-guided<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Car park<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Free<\/strong>, limited places<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Visitor Centre<\/strong><\/td><td>Open every day. <strong>Extended opening hours in summer<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Guided tours<\/td><td>Pay-as-you-go and by booking<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Next to the car park is the Torcal Alto Visitor Centre<\/strong>, with a visitor centre, a shop, a restaurant with views and <strong>an astronomical observatory<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Opening hours vary depending on the season<\/strong>, so it\u2019s a good idea to check the day before: in winter it closes quite a bit earlier than in summer.<\/p>\n<p><em>Note regarding the reviews: almost all the display panels in the visitor centre are in Spanish only.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2>The three routes, and which one to choose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"598\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/torcal-de-antequera-formaciones-calizas.jpg\" alt=\"Layered limestone formations at El Torcal de Antequera\" class=\"wp-image-78089\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/torcal-de-antequera-formaciones-calizas.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/torcal-de-antequera-formaciones-calizas-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/torcal-de-antequera-formaciones-calizas-768x574.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/torcal-de-antequera-formaciones-calizas-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/torcal-de-antequera-formaciones-calizas-600x449.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The stacked layers of limestone are the distinctive feature of El Torcal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>All three start from the same place: the Torcal Alto car park<\/strong>, next to the visitor centre. They are marked with wooden signposts in the colour of each route.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead><tr><th>Route<\/th><th>Distance<\/th><th>Weather<\/th><th>Who is it for?<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td><strong>Green<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>1.5 km<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>45 mins<\/strong><\/td><td>First time, short stay, with children<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Yellow<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>3 km<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>2 hours<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>The one I recommend<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Red<\/td><td>Guided<\/td><td>Several hours<\/td><td>Subject to booking and payment<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>And a note that appears in all the reviews:<\/strong> The distances seem short, but they aren\u2019t. <strong>The ground is uneven rock<\/strong>, you move much more slowly than usual and have to watch your step constantly.<\/p>\n\n<h3>The green route: 1.5 kilometres<\/h3>\n<p><strong>A circular route, with a vertical ascent of just 40 metres<\/strong>, and it is the one that presents the least difficulty.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The advantage is that it doesn\u2019t compromise on quality:<\/strong> It passes through the area where the karst formations are at their most spectacular, including <strong>Dark Alley and Tobacco Alley<\/strong>, two passageways created by the collapse of fissures in the ground.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here are the Sphinx, the Indian and the Watchman<\/strong>, three of the figures mentioned by name.<\/p>\n<p><em>If you\u2019re coming on a day trip from M\u00e1laga and want to see the rest of Antequera, this is the one for you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h3>The yellow route: the one that\u2019s well worth a go<\/h3>\n<p><strong>3 kilometres and about 2 hours, moderate difficulty.<\/strong> It is an extension of the green area that incorporates the upper section.<\/p>\n<p><strong>And that\u2019s the one I recommend for one specific reason: it\u2019s the one that crosses the most shapes.<\/strong> They appear here <strong>The Finger, the Camel, the Robot, the Little Hat, the Chalice and the Die<\/strong>, plus whatever else you might want to add.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It is very well signposted<\/strong> and you don\u2019t need a guide to follow it.<\/p>\n\n<h3>The Red Route: guided and subject to a fee<\/h3>\n<p><strong>You can\u2019t just do this on your own.<\/strong> It is a guided tour that requires advance booking, lasts several hours and includes informative stops.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It is not recommended for people with injuries or for young children.<\/strong> The difficulty is medium to low, but it\u2019s a long one.<\/p>\n<p><em>There is also a <strong>The Ammonites\u2019 Route<\/strong>, a guided, shorter tour focusing on the fossils. Both can be booked by telephone or email with the centre.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2>What to look out for whilst walking<\/h2>\n\n<h3>El Tornillo, which is a Natural Monument<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"795\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tornillo-del-torcal-antequera.webp\" alt=\"El Tornillo del Torcal, with its spiralling layers of limestone\" class=\"wp-image-78090\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tornillo-del-torcal-antequera.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tornillo-del-torcal-antequera-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tornillo-del-torcal-antequera-1024x678.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tornillo-del-torcal-antequera-768x509.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tornillo-del-torcal-antequera-18x12.webp 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tornillo-del-torcal-antequera-600x398.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">El Tornillo, the most sought-after formation in the area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It is the most famous rock formation in El Torcal and has its own protected status:<\/strong> it has been declared <strong>Natural Monument<\/strong>, not just protected as part of the landscape.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It is a block of limestone with layers stacked in a spiral pattern<\/strong>, like a stone screw several metres long. <strong>You can get there from the upper car park<\/strong> for a short stretch, without having to complete the whole route.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Ammonites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ammonite-torcal-de-antequera.webp\" alt=\"Fossilised ammonite in the limestone of Torcal de Antequera\" class=\"wp-image-78091\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ammonite-torcal-de-antequera.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ammonite-torcal-de-antequera-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ammonite-torcal-de-antequera-768x1024.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ammonite-torcal-de-antequera-1152x1536.webp 1152w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ammonite-torcal-de-antequera-9x12.webp 9w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ammonite-torcal-de-antequera-600x800.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An ammonite in the rock. You can see them with the naked eye along the path.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This is what\u2019s most surprising: there are marine fossils lying on the ground.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ammonites were molluscs with spiral shells<\/strong> which lived in these seas hundreds of millions of years ago, and whose shells were embedded in the rock. <strong>They\u2019re visible to the naked eye<\/strong> in several areas, particularly on the climb up to Torcal Alto.<\/p>\n<p><em>Obviously, you don\u2019t pick them up. But finding them is the best bit of the walk for anyone travelling with children.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h3>The Las Ventanillas viewpoint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mirador-las-ventanillas-torcal.webp\" alt=\"View from the Las Ventanillas viewpoint, in El Torcal de Antequera\" class=\"wp-image-78092\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mirador-las-ventanillas-torcal.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mirador-las-ventanillas-torcal-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mirador-las-ventanillas-torcal-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mirador-las-ventanillas-torcal-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mirador-las-ventanillas-torcal-18x12.webp 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mirador-las-ventanillas-torcal-600x400.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The viewpoint is just a few metres from the car park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It is just a few metres from the car park and is open to the public at all times.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>And it has the highest rating in the whole of Antequera: 4.8.<\/strong> From there, you can see the entire karst landscape and, on clear days, the coast.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you don\u2019t fancy a hike, this viewpoint alone is worth the climb.<\/strong> Sunset is the best time.<\/p>\n\n<h2>What is El Torcal and how was it formed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/callejon-torcal-de-antequera.webp\" alt=\"An alleyway flanked by limestone walls in El Torcal de Antequera\" class=\"wp-image-78093\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/callejon-torcal-de-antequera.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/callejon-torcal-de-antequera-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/callejon-torcal-de-antequera-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/callejon-torcal-de-antequera-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/callejon-torcal-de-antequera-8x12.webp 8w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/callejon-torcal-de-antequera-600x900.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The water widened the cracks until it created passages like this one.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This was the seabed.<\/strong> Specifically, from the Tethys Sea, some 200 million years ago.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The three-step process:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Layers of marine sediment built up<\/strong> at the bottom, which turned into limestone. The ammonites were left inside.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The collision of the tectonic plates lifted the entire block<\/strong> above sea level, whilst maintaining the horizontal layers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>And the rainwater dissolved the limestone<\/strong> through the cracks, separating the layers and leaving the stacked blocks that can be seen today.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>That\u2019s karst<\/strong>, and El Torcal is its finest example in Europe. The formations \u2014 screws, mushrooms, alleys \u2014 are the result of this dissolution.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Fauna and flora<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"834\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cabra-montes-torcal-antequera.webp\" alt=\"Mountain goat on the rocks of the Torcal de Antequera\" class=\"wp-image-78094\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cabra-montes-torcal-antequera.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cabra-montes-torcal-antequera-300x209.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cabra-montes-torcal-antequera-1024x712.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cabra-montes-torcal-antequera-768x534.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cabra-montes-torcal-antequera-18x12.webp 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cabra-montes-torcal-antequera-600x417.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mountain goats can be seen on the rocks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The mountain goat<\/strong>, which is often seen on the rocks and is the first thing people take photos of.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The griffon vulture<\/strong>, flying over the cliffs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wild orchids<\/strong>, with endemic species. The best time to see them is in spring.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>When to go, and a note on altitude<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"343\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/torcal-de-antequera-nevado.webp\" alt=\"El Torcal de Antequera covered in snow in winter\" class=\"wp-image-78095\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/torcal-de-antequera-nevado.webp 640w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/torcal-de-antequera-nevado-300x161.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/torcal-de-antequera-nevado-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/torcal-de-antequera-nevado-600x322.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">El Torcal covered in snow \u2013 one of the highlights of winter in M\u00e1laga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>El Torcal is over 1,200 metres high<\/strong>, and that changes everything when it comes to the valley:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>It&#8217;s cold up there.<\/strong> Even though it\u2019s hot in Antequera. That\u2019s the most common complaint from anyone who goes up there without a jacket.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The wind is blowing<\/strong> in the upper part.<\/li>\n<li><strong>There is frequent fog<\/strong>, even in summer. And when the fog is thick, the landscape disappears.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It snows in winter<\/strong>, and the snow-capped Torcal is one of the province\u2019s most spectacular sights. However, it is advisable to check the condition of the access road.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The best times of year: spring and autumn.<\/strong> The temperature is just right for a walk, and in spring there are orchids too.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In the summer, first thing in the morning.<\/strong> As well as the heat, there\u2019s the issue of parking.<\/p>\n\n<h3>What to bring<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Hiking or sports shoes with a sole.<\/strong> It\u2019s not optional: the terrain consists of loose, uneven rock.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jacket<\/strong>, even if it\u2019s hot down there.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Water.<\/strong> It is only available at the visitor centre.<\/li>\n<li><strong>And a cap and sun protection<\/strong>, because much of the route is in the sun.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>Nights at the observatory<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Next to the visitor centre there is an astronomical observatory<\/strong>, and capitalises on something that is indeed true here: <strong>This is one of the clearest skies in Andalusia<\/strong>, because of the altitude and the distance from the lights on the coast.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Guided night-time tours are organised<\/strong> which combine walking amongst the rock formations with stargazing. Booking is required.<\/p>\n<p><em>It\u2019s a different sort of scheme, and not many people know it exists.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2>How to get to El Torcal de Antequera<\/h2>\n<p><strong>It is 16 kilometres from Antequera<\/strong> along the access road to Torcal Alto, which leads up to the car park.<\/p>\n<p><strong>From M\u00e1laga, about 60 kilometres:<\/strong> Take the A-45 towards C\u00f3rdoba as far as Antequera, and from there take the turn-off to the site. <strong>About an hour in total.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>And here\u2019s the important bit: there\u2019s no public transport to El Torcal.<\/strong> You\u2019ll need a car, a taxi from Antequera or an organised tour. The shuttle bus only runs between the lower car park and the upper car park when the upper car park is full.<\/p>\n<p><em>The access road is narrow and winding, but it is tarmacked and in good condition.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2>Combine it with the rest of Antequera<\/h2>\n<p><strong>El Torcal only takes half a day<\/strong>, and the rest is 16 kilometres away:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The dolmens<\/strong>, also a World Heritage Site and also free, although with <strong>Opening and closing times on Mondays<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The historic centre<\/strong>, including the Alcazaba and the Collegiate Church.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The system that works:<\/strong> Dolmens first thing in the morning, the town centre mid-morning and Torcal in the afternoon. Full details at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/what-to-see-in-antequera\/\">What to see in Antequera<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>And one connection that explains the site as a whole: El Torcal forms part of the World Heritage Site alongside the dolmens and the Pe\u00f1a de los Enamorados, because the Menga dolmen faces the Pe\u00f1a and the site is understood as a single entity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2>If you don\u2019t want to drive<\/h2>\n<p>We are a local tour operator based in M\u00e1laga with over 50 years\u2019 experience organising trips around Andalusia.<\/p>\n<p><strong>El Torcal has a real logistical problem if you don\u2019t have a car:<\/strong> There is no public transport, the access road does not allow parking, and the car park fills up. An organised trip solves all three problems.<\/p>\n<!-- wp:COMENTARIO \u2014 Insertar aqu\u00ed el escaparate con el ID de la ficha \"Excursi\u00f3n Antequera: Torcal + D\u00f3lmenes + centro\" cuando se publique. -->\n<p>Meanwhile: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/caminito-del-rey-recomendaciones\/\">the Caminito del Rey<\/a> It\u2019s half an hour\u2019s drive from El Torcal and can easily be combined with a visit there over two days, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/most-beautiful-villages-of-malaga\/\">the most beautiful villages in Malaga<\/a> to continue through the province.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n<h3>How much does it cost to visit El Torcal de Antequera?<\/h3>\n<p>Nothing: entry to the site is free, as are the car park and the three signposted trails, which you can follow at your own pace. The only charges apply to guided tours, such as the red trail or the ammonite trail, which also require advance booking.<\/p>\n\n<h3>What time do you need to arrive at El Torcal to find a parking space?<\/h3>\n<p>At weekends and on public holidays, before 9.30 am, as the Torcal Alto car park is free but has limited capacity. You cannot park on the access road, so if the car park is full, you\u2019ll need to drive down to the lower car park and take the shuttle bus up. On weekdays and outside the high season, there\u2019s usually no problem.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Which route in El Torcal is best?<\/h3>\n<p>The yellow route, three kilometres long and taking about two hours, is the one that passes the most named rock formations: El Dedo, El Camello, El Robot, El Sombrerillo and El C\u00e1liz. The green route is the alternative if you\u2019re short on time or travelling with children: just one and a half kilometres long, with a forty-metre elevation gain, it also takes in the most spectacular rock formations.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How long does it take to walk the Torcal Green Route?<\/h3>\n<p>Around forty-five minutes, covering a circular route of one and a half kilometres with a 40-metre elevation gain. It\u2019s worth noting that the terrain consists of uneven rock and you\u2019ll make slower progress than the distance might suggest, so if you stop to take photos, the walk could take considerably longer.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Can you see fossils at El Torcal?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, there are ammonites visible to the naked eye in various areas, particularly on the climb up to Torcal Alto. They were marine molluscs with spiral shells, the remains of which were preserved within the limestone when this whole area was the seabed of the Tethys Sea. There is also a guided tour dedicated specifically to them.<\/p>\n\n<h3>What is the Tornillo del Torcal?<\/h3>\n<p>The best-known feature of the area: a block of limestone whose layers are stacked in a spiral, like a stone screw. It has been designated a Natural Monument, with its own protected status in addition to that of the area as a whole, and can be reached from the upper car park via a short walk, without the need to complete a full route.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How do you get to El Torcal de Antequera from M\u00e1laga?<\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s about sixty kilometres and takes around an hour: take the A-45 towards C\u00f3rdoba as far as Antequera, and from there take the turn-off onto the access road to Torcal Alto, which is a further sixteen kilometres. There is no public transport to the site, so you\u2019ll need a car, a taxi from Antequera or an organised excursion.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Is it cold at El Torcal?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, and this is the most common surprise: the area is over 1,200 metres above sea level, it\u2019s windy at higher altitudes, and there\u2019s often fog, even in summer. It\u2019s a good idea to take a jacket with you, even if it\u2019s hot in Antequera. It snows in winter, in which case it\u2019s best to check the condition of the access road beforehand.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Is it possible to visit El Torcal with children?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, take the green trail, which is short and has very little elevation gain, and look for ammonites along the way \u2013 that usually works very well. Closed-toe shoes with a sturdy sole are essential, as the ground is uneven rock. Long guided walks, on the other hand, are not recommended for young children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/torcal-de-antequera\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Antequera\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/what-to-see-in-antequera\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"El Torcal de Antequera\"}]},{\"@type\":[\"TouristAttraction\",\"Landform\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/torcal-de-antequera\/#torcal\",\"name\":\"Torcal de Antequera Nature Reserve\",\"description\":\"The finest example of a karst landscape in Europe, formed from limestone deposited on the floor of the Tethys Sea some 200 million years ago, raised by plate tectonics and subsequently eroded by rainwater. 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The green route is the best option if you\u2019re short on time or travelling with children: just one and a half kilometres long, with a 40-metre elevation gain, and it also takes in the most spectacular rock formations.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long does it take to walk the Torcal Green Route?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Around forty-five minutes, covering a circular route of one and a half kilometres with a 40-metre elevation gain. It\u2019s worth noting that the terrain consists of uneven rock and you\u2019ll make slower progress than the distance might suggest, so if you stop to take photos, the walk could take considerably longer.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can you see fossils at El Torcal?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, there are ammonites visible to the naked eye in various areas, particularly on the climb up to Torcal Alto. They were marine molluscs with spiral shells, the remains of which were preserved within the limestone when this whole area was the seabed of the Tethys Sea. There is also a guided tour dedicated specifically to them.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the Tornillo del Torcal?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The best-known feature of the area: a block of limestone whose layers are stacked in a spiral, like a stone screw. It has been designated a Natural Monument, with its own protected status in addition to that of the area as a whole, and can be reached from the upper car park via a short walk, without the need to complete a full route.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do you get to El Torcal de Antequera from M\u00e1laga?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It\u2019s about sixty kilometres and takes around an hour: take the A-45 towards C\u00f3rdoba as far as Antequera, and from there take the turn-off onto the access road to Torcal Alto, which is a further sixteen kilometres. There is no public transport to the site, so you\u2019ll need a car, a taxi from Antequera or an organised excursion.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is it cold at El Torcal?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, and this is the most common surprise: the area is over 1,200 metres above sea level, it\u2019s windy at higher altitudes, and there\u2019s often fog, even in summer. It\u2019s a good idea to take a jacket with you, even if it\u2019s hot in Antequera. It snows in winter, in which case it\u2019s best to check the condition of the access road beforehand.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is it possible to visit El Torcal with children?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, take the green trail, which is short and has very little elevation gain, and look for ammonites along the way \u2013 that usually works very well. Closed-toe shoes with a sturdy sole are essential, as the ground is uneven rock. Long guided walks, on the other hand, are not recommended for young children.\"}}]}]}<\/script>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>El Torcal is the largest karst landscape in Europe, admission is free and the three signposted routes can be followed at your own pace. But there\u2019s one thing that determines the whole day: the time you arrive at the car park. What you need to know before leaving home Parking at Torcal Alto is free, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2016,"featured_media":78090,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[664],"tags":[784],"class_list":["post-78096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-visit-and-do","tag-antequera"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2016"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78096"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78096\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79480,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78096\/revisions\/79480"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}