El Torcal de Antequera is situated some ten kilometres from the town of Antequera which, with its eastern foothills, the Sierra Pelada, results in a spectacular view of majestic mountain ranges punctuated by intriguing rock formations and angles.
Observed from any direction, the heavy, solid form of the Sierras belies the morphological world which lies all but hidden between the mountain peaks. In order to enter this magical world, it is necessary to climb the steep inclines and delve far and beyond the mountain protagonist.
For millions of years, water has penetrated the rocks and chiselled out strange figures and formations like some crazed sculptor at work. This has been caused by that era, long gone, when the mountain ranged emerged from the depths of the sea.
All this can be discovered at the Torcal and, although its most marked characteristc is the bareness of the rock, the Spring and Autumn rains provoke the explosion of colourful plant life with the clay ground soil in the caves and passages covered with a green herbaceous carpet, pinpointed with lilies, nazarenes and vivid red peonies with their distinctive soft velvety texture.
The nearest town to this singularly beautiful spot is Antequera. The city has numerous historic buildings which are present on virtually every street of the town. For the traveller, Antequera offers an urban landscape which is characteristic of the larger towns of Andalusia and which brings together a sobriety, typical of such an historic city. Numerous church towers and convents can be spied peeking out from the whitewashed houses and striking for their Moorish architecture with tiles and limestone facades.
The best time for visiting El Torcal is during the Spring and Autumn although, in the cold winter months, the snow casts its immaculate veil over the landscape and it is almost worth putting up with the chilblains and cold, just to enjoy the close-up, the awesomely beautiful mountain vistas.
The charm of El Torcal and its magical beauty are increased still more at night. A particularly unforgettable sight is the August moon, for example, rising far above the peaks and best seen from the Las Ventanillas viewpoint. The harsh forms of the mountain soften in the distance while, in the foreground, the contrasts of light and shade are more defined. In all, the rocks take on an almost mystical appearance.
The easiest way to reach El Torcal de Antequera is via the motorway N331 which, departing from the west ring road just prior to Malaga, takes you through the winding highway. Pass by the gentle slopes of the fields planted with cereals which, little by little, climb to the summit and the first and inaccessible ledges which give a sense of the proximity of El Torcal itself.
