El Torcal Inglés

1. EXCMO. AYTO. DE ANTEQUERA and in landscape. Descalzas.
fauna, geomorphology Convento de las
natural values in flora, Museum of t he
protection for its important Museum and the
area enjoys a special the Municipal
2/1989, July 18th). This churches, as well as
conditions deserves (Law and Baroque
an area of these numerous Renaissant
enjoys all the protection Castle and its
Park and at present it Dolmens, its Muslim
it was declared a Natural the Prehistoric
National Interest; in 1978 which you can see
declared Natural Area of and artistic place in
in 1929 when it was Antequera, a historic
became a protected area monumental city of
Antequera
The Torcal of Antequera through the
N - 3 31 , g o i n g
MALAGA through major road
C- 3310
El Torcal de Protection Regime
on the east. can get to the Torcal
Autovía Málaga-Antequera to the Sierra de las Cabras From Málaga, you
Chimeneas on the west and
Boca del Asno.
to the Sierra de las
Almogía you have passed the
at the south. The massif joins
about 12 Km once
municipality of Antequera
road to the Torcal is
Mountains. It is within the
Casabermeja Concepción. The
NATURAL PARK crest of the Sub-Andalusian
Villanueva de la
Pedrizas la Concepción it forms part of the limestone
de las Villanueva de the road to
Pto the province of Málaga and
ANTEQUERA
Antequera by taking
DE the Torcal is in the centre of
EL TORCAL Torcal from
The National Reserve of
C- 3310
You can get to the
ANTEQUERA
Localization Accesses
ADDRESSES OF INTEREST
PROVINCE GOVERNMENT OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT. Geomorphic Units Visit Area and Infrastructure Visit Area and Infrastructure
C/. Mauricio Moro, 2 - 3º Planta - 29006 Málaga (Continuation)
Telf. 951 04 00 58 The Torcal has an extension of 11,7 km+ and it is one of the TAJO DE LA VENTA AREA: It is situated on the crossroads with
most outstanding examples of Karstic landscape in Europe. the major road C-3310 and under an impressive rocky cleft called AREA OF PUBLIC USE “TORCAL ALTO”: It can be acceded to
TOWN HALL OF ANTEQUERA. following the road that takes you to the crossroads with the C-
C/. Infante D. Fernando, 140 Geomorphologically, four areas can be distinguished: Tajo de la Venta due to its proximity to the old Venta del Rosario.
It is an old restored quarry and it consists of : 3310, after having gone about 3.7 Km. There, the visitor will
Telf. 95 270 81 00
find:
Control and Information Stand: It informs the visitor and
CIVIL GUARD OF ANTEQUERA. SIERRA PELADA: It is situated to the east of the reserve, and A visitor´s area: Interactive exhibition on the natural and
C/. Alameda de Andalucía, s/n. controls the entrance of vehicles to the Reserve.
it consists of an extensive lapiaz area or frequent dolines; its cultural values of the Reserve and a 10 minutes video on this can
Telf. 95 284 01 06 - 95 284 03 57 Information Boards: They indicate the visitor the most interesting
maximum altitude is 1,154 m ( the Camorro de los Monteses or be seen. There are some toilets and a tourist information desk.
CIVIL SERVICE OF ANTEQUERA. Cerro de los Repetidores). aspects of the Reserve.
Mirador de “Las Ventanillas” (Viewpoint): Access to it is
C/. Picadero, s/n. Reafforestation Area: It is fenced and the results of environment
Telf. 95 284 59 10 found by keeping to the signposted path (about 100m). There
education activities with students and the growth of those trees
are wonderful views of Malaga´s coast and of the region of the
TOURISM INFORMATION OF ANTEQUERA.
TORCAL ALTO: It is to the southwest of the reserve and has which have been planted by children can be seen.
river Campanillas.
Plaza de San Sebastián, 7. the best karstic area of the massif. A great rocky crest, las Vilaneras, Parking: For buses and cars
Telf. 95 270 25 05 separates it from Torcal Bajo. The maximum altitude of the Torcal Ruta Verde (Green Route Itinerary): Pedestrian path which
of those who like hiking and
is here: the Camorro de las Siete Mesas (1,336 m). starts in the car park and takes
HOSPITAL OF ANTEQUERA. those who prefer acceding to
you all around Torcal Alto
Pol. La Azucarera, Avda. Poeta Muñoz Rojas, s/n Torcal Alto walking while
Telf: 95 284 62 63
(1,410 m). Its difficulty is ranked
enjoying a nice and beautiful
TORCAL BAJO: It is situated between the previous two areas as low to medium (be
www. antequera.es walk. It´s provided with litter
and it is similar to Torcal Alto although less spectacular. It contains precautious on rainy and wet
bins.
e-mail: turismo@antequera.es historic and cultural remains related to antique human settlements. days), lasting 40-60 minutes.
It is most advisable if you want
VISITORS CENTRE OF TORCAL DIEGO “MONEA´S” to see its flora, geological rock
Teléfono 952 03 13 89 CLEFTS AND HILLSIDES: They delimitate the Reserve; the VIEWPOINT: It is situated half formations, cattle and fauna
Textos: M. Romero y E. Hergueta. Fotografías: Alfredo Sotelo Matos most spectacular ones are on the south side; their way between the crossroads (Take binoculars with you!) and
Imprime: Gráficas San Rafael - Antequera • Dep. Legal: MA-67-2001 geomorphological variations confer to them an overwhelming and the Area of Public Use of for environment education. It is
character. They make a perfect place for shelter and nesting of Torcal Alto. It is an ideal place well signposted and it has litter
some birds of prey. to rest while admiring the views bins.
and locating geographical Parking: Wide area for cars
EXCELENTÍSIMO points. It is provided with and buses. It has noticeboards,
AYUNTAMIENTO parking, information boards,
DE ANTEQUERA
litter bins and benches.
AREA DE TURISMO bins and benches.

2. Rules for visitors Recommendations Flora and vegetation Fauna
DO NOT THROW LITTER USE RUBBER-SOLED SHOES and try not to step on wet rocks The massif of the Torcal represents an area of a rich and varied The fauna present in the Torcal has been conditioned in many
OR WASTE ON THE FLOOR, since you may slip. flora which emphasizes the importance of its natural values. The cases by the men´s use of the environment. The vertebrate species
place it in the bins and present degradation of the vegetal cover in most of its surface, inside the Reserve amount to 116, divided in the following way:
If there is fog, DO NOT ABANDON THE ESTABLISHED ROUTE; due to the wood cutting, extensive shepherding or the human 1 amphibious species, 11 reptile species, 82 kinds of birds and
containers provided. OTHERWISE, YOU MAY GET LOST. action in any other way, does not impede the presence of some 22 different kinds of mammals. There exists a multitude of
P H OTO G R A P H T H E DO NOT COME NEAR PITS OR HOLES IN THE TERRAIN, areas of climacic vegetation and of different endemic species of invertebrate species, most of them being insects which are the
PLANTS, do not recollect you may fall if you approach too closely. a great interest and value. Its richness in plant species is basis for the feeding of a great quantity of the vertebrate animals
them. considerable. In the Torcal there are at least 664 plant species, that live in the Reserve.
CONSULT THE ENVIRONMENT WARDEN about the activities grouped in almost a hundred families. Thus, there are 12 species The zoological communities lack of the existence of big predators
DO NOT DISTURB THE that can not be carried out without authorization or phone directly of lichens, 77 of Briofites (moss), 10 of Pteridofites (fens) and or big herviborous; the fox and the pyrenean ibex are
ANIMALS, do not come near to the Environmental Delegation in the Province. 565 plants with representative of these.
the nests during the spring and s e e d s
the summer seasons. One of the most outstanding values of the faunistic composition
(spermatofites).
H U N T I N G I S N OT
ALLOWED all year through in
Man and El Torcal The vegetal
formations present
in the Torcal can
of the Torcal is the great richness of birds existent in it, either
permanently or like a stopover in their migratory routes or like a
nesting place. In this sense, the Sierra was declared Special Area
any of its modalities. Man´s presence in the Torcal of Antequera goes back to for the protection of birds (Z.E.P.A.), following law no. 79/409
Prehistory. Neolithic remains found in different places give evidence be separated in of the Community Direction, but some of these bird species have
PLEASE, RESPECT THE SILENCE IN THE PARK, it is most two dif ferent become much unusual due to the pression exerted by men
of this, the most important one being those of the Cueva del Toro.
advisable listening to the natural sounds of the park. bioclimatic types: (poisons, nests pillaging, uncontrolled sports activities, etc.), as
Likewise, some remains of Roman origin indicate a geological
use of the Torcal and it seems that they used the Torcal as a the thermo- it is the case of the Imperial Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon or the
CAMPING IS NOT PERMITTED inside the Reserve.
quarry to extract limestones that they used in the building of the Mediterranean in Bonelli´s Eagle. Many of these nest in big clefts, that is why it is
THERE IS A SIGNPOSTED AREA which can be acceded to villages near the Torcal, such as Antikaria, Osqua and Nescania. the low areas of so important not doing activities of hang-gliding or rock climbing
only with the authorization of the A.M.A.; if you do not have it, the Reserve or in in them. The Griffon Vultures can usually be seen in the Torcal,
The Arab presence was important and a watchtower could still areas with a
please do not come into this area. either flying between the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes-Sierra
be seen until recently in the nearby mountain of Las Chimeneas c e r t a i n
and inside the Torcal itself several tombs and rests have been Huma and the Sierras del Camarolos and the Jobo, or when they
REMEMBER: THE CONSERVATION, ASPECT AND VISIT temperature, and come to eat dead cattle.
CONDITIONS OF THIS NATURAL AREA DEPEND HIGHLY found. The human presence was almost permanent until the last the meso-
UPON YOU. century when the only known settlement in the Sierra called Las Other interesing birds present in the Torcal of Antequera are
M e d i t e r ra n e a n
Sepulturas (The Tombs) was abandoned; it consists of several the wheatear, the Eagle Owl, the Little Owl, the common kestrel,
which occupies
small buildings made of stone with sheepfolds and crop fields. the martin, the chough and many other small birds (common tit,
Geological aspects These settlers had a high ability in working the stone as the findings
show.
most of the Sierra
in the medium and
high parts of the Reserve. There exist some places in which there
common coal tit, goldfinch, woodlarks, redstarts, buntings) and
many others which are easily seen depending on the season and
on the area.
The Torcal is constituted by three different types of limestones: The industrial exploitation in the 19th century caused an intense are plant species that belong to the superior meso or to the supra-
oak wood cutting in order to make charcoal in the Torcal; the Mediterranean as it is the case of the Puerto de las Campanas. The existence of reptiles in the Sierra depends highly on
oolitic limestones, breccialike limestones and clastic limestones.
quarry exploitation was intensified and shepherding was massified, The vegetation communities of a higher botanic importance within temperature aspects and so they are very active during the summer
All of them had their origin in the ocean bottom during the Jurassic and the spring seasons, when they can be seen very frequently.
impeding the natural regeneration of plants. That is the reason the Park are those that are among the rocks. They have adapted
period, about 150 million years ago. Those sediments lying at We must outstand the following species: the ocellate lizard, the
why some parts of the Reserve have such a desolate aspect. Then to the fractures and crevices in the rocks, and a lot of these plants
the bottom of the sea emerged as a consequence of the Alpine wall lizard, the ladder snake, Montpellier snake and Lataste´s
in the twentieth century, coinciding with the end of the quarry are endemic; then some strict rules of conservation are required.
fold, keeping its horizontality in spite of emerging over 1000 viper, whose bite is poisonous.
exploitation, the Torcal was used only as an area of extensive This has made it necessary to create a reservation area inside
metres above the water. Later on, a series of faults gave about
shepherding, and crops were grown in the dolines in times of Torcal Alto with the aim of preserving and protecting several Among the mammals, the mole is very frequent in the areas of
fractures (diaclasas) and fault systems which meet right-angled
scarcity. plant communities. The most representative of the rock plant dolines as it can be detected by the small humps of earth they
(NW-SE and NE-SW orientation); the erosion in these crevices
The acquisition of most of the Park by the Andalusian Government species are Linaria antikaria, Saxifraga biternata, Sedum acre, make. The rest of the mammals can be guessed because of their
produced which is nowadays known as passages or corridors,
has made possible the restoration and preservation of this peculiar anthirrinum australe and polypodium australe, among others. excrements, as it is the case of the fox, the weasel, the badger
and caves and dolines (a synonym for “Torcas” which gives the
area in our geography, a place where Nature shows some of its The vegetation of the Torcal corresponds to that of a Basofil or the rabbit.
name to the park) were formed in their intersection. From that
moment on, all of it was submmitted to a peculiar erosive process, most unusual aspects. Andalusian holm oak wood. Trees are represented by holm oak
the Karstic moulding. Ice expansion processes, or the erosion trees, gall-oaks, mountain ashes and maples. The formations of
produced in the rock by the action of ice, together with the solution thickets and bramble patches usually cover most of the area of
of the different limestones due to the chemical action of the Torcal Alto with honeysuckles, bushes and other plants such as
atmospheric CO2 which is present in the rainwater, have moulded hawthorn, rhamnus lycioides ssp. oleoides, blackberries, wild
a great quantity of forms in the rocks, producing a real “museum rosebushes, peonies,…Other interesting groups of plants because
of natural sculptures”, called imitative forms and which have been of their relation with cattle-raising are pastures and thistles which
recognized individually (such as “The screw” – El Tornillo, which usually are in the dolines or “closures”, and then we find Poa
bulbosa, Trifoflum suberraneum, Ranunculus bulbosus, Onopordon
has become the logo of the park). Besides, the vertical solution
illyricum, Sylibum marianum or some stranger ones such as
of the rocks brings about surfaces of lapies, creating furrows and
Dianthus anticarius or the Linaria Oblongifolia.
areas difficult to accede to and which are known as “agrios”
(acid), by the inhabitants of the area. Ivy is a plant to be outstood because of the beautiful and
sometimes striking formations it presents in combination with the
SUBTERRANEAN FORMS: Like any limestone massif, the Torcal
rocks. It is much abundant in Torcal Alto.
has a great richness in pits, caves and other subterranean forms,
some of them of a great historic importance such as the Cueva As we can see, the great botanic richness of the Torcal is formed
del Toro (Bull´s Cave). Its origin is related to solution and widening by rare and endangered plants and so we ask for your cooperation
processes of the subterranean limestones due to the action of the for their conservation; please do not damage the plants, do not
take the flowers since they are the only ones that can guarantee
rainwater.
the reproduction of these plants.