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El Torcal
Park Overview |
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El Torcal
Nature Reserve in southern Spain is one of the most impressive
and scenic limestone landscapes in Europe. This popular destination
is conveniently located 30 km north of Málaga, near the classic
Andalusian village of Villanueva de la Concepción. El Torcal
consists of 17 square km of land that is conserved due to the
extraordinary beauty and diversity of the region and the plant
life it supports. The park boasts awesome views of majestic
mountain ranges and a unique rocky landscape that provides
a spectacular alternative to the golden sandy beaches of the
Costa del Sol.
For millions of years the natural geological formation of the
area now called El Torcal Park created mountainous slopes
with clearly defined horizontal layers of dark limestone rock,
high above the Mediterranean Sea. Epochs of erosion by the
elements have shaped a strange and fascinating landscape
that is characterised by weird, breathtaking structures formed
out of the limestone.
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The park supports a sea of green plant life, speckled
with an array of flowers that colourfully contrast with the hard grey rock
surface, such as lilies, nazarenes, vibrant red peonies, and the pretty pink
and yellow flowers of the abundant wild rose trees. El Torcal is also home
to numerous species of reptile, some of which are unique to the local habit
including the Montpelier Snake and the Eyed Lizard. This severe landscape
suits a small group of birds and mammals that thrive in the environment, for
instance Griffon Vultures are a constant presence in the skies above the district.
The lower regions of the park attract a particularly interesting selection of nocturnal
creatures such as badgers, polecats, weasels and a variety of rodents. There are
also selected areas of the park for the native Andalusian mountain goats to roam
free.
Visitors to El Torcal are provided with recommended walks
through the awesome landscape of the park that accommodate all trekking abilities.
The colour coded signposts of the green route signify a fairly easy 1.5 km trek
that takes approx 30 minutes to complete. Whereas, the yellow signs in the
same area mark a slightly longer route of 2.5 km, which incorporates the
awesome plateau of Las Ventillas, or the Windows. The prime position of
Las Ventillas, 1200 metres above sea level offers visitors superb panoramic
views of the valley of Málaga. The red route is the longest and most difficult
of the three recommended walks through El Torcal Park, at 4.5 km it takes
up to three hours to complete and boasts a vantage point of 1.339 m with
views of the whole park and the Africa Coastline.
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Access is available to El Torcal Park throughout the
year with spring and autumn the most popular times to visit. During the
winter the mountain temperatures drop dramatically, but the magical scenery
created by the snow and ice covered mountains and rocky outcrops are often
enough to entice visitors to the region. However, inexperienced visitors are
advised to avoid the region during the summer season, as the temperatures
can reach dangerously high levels in the mountains during July and August.
The easiest route from Málaga to El Torcal Park is north on the N341 for
20km to the village of Casabermeja and "km 148". At this point head west for
15km until the town of Antequera, and from there Villanueva de la Concepción
is 15km south on the C3310. In Villanueva de la Concepción there is a designated
road, which provides visitors with direct access to El Torcal's parking area.
The park's conservative tourist facilities are located at the parking area, where
visitors will discover an information centre and a small museum, which offer
information covering the geology, history, wildlife, flora and fauna of the park. |
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El Torcal Park
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Direct Charter Assurance for
travel to the El Torcal Park from www.rentspain.com |
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