It is hard to imagine that this mountainous region was once at the bottom of a tropical sea around 150 million years ago. Over millions of years, the seabed was raised, and wind, rain, frost, and erosion slowly began to shape the limestone. The layers were polished, cracked, and hollowed out until nature had created the unique karst landscape that today makes El Torcal one of Europe's most important geological areas.

Many of the rocks have been named after their distinctive shapes. With a little imagination, one can spot everything from camels and sphinxes to screws, towers, and mushrooms. The most famous formation is El Tornillo – "The Screw" – which has become the very symbol of the nature park. The rock consists of layers of limestone that have been hollowed out at different rates over millennia, giving it the appearance of a gigantic stone screw.

The drive from Castillo del Alma to El Torcal takes only about 30 minutes. This makes the nature park an ideal half-day or full-day excursion, which can be conveniently combined with a visit to the historic town of Antequera.

For nature lovers, photographers, and anyone with an interest in geology, El Torcal is one of those experiences that simply cannot be missed during a stay in Andalusia.

But El Torcal is far more than impressive geology. The area is home to a rich wildlife, including Spanish ibex, foxes, birds of prey, and a multitude of smaller bird species.

Looking up at the sky, there are good chances of witnessing griffon vultures soaring silently over the cliffs, while the characteristic Mediterranean vegetation of thyme, rosemary, and wild orchids fills the air with fragrance – especially in spring.