El Torcal

While reflecting on another year wrapping up, I was reminded of a hike we did one December a few years back.

We decided to trek through one of the trails at El Torcal nature reserve. The park itself is magical with its Jurassic limestone formations dating back 150 million years. El Torcal was once submerged below sea level, an area that extended from the Gulf of Cadiz at the Atlantic Ocean to Alicante along the Mediterranean Sea, and is brimming with fossil-embedded rocks.

We'd been there numerous times, but what made it even more special this visit was that we were there for an early morning winter walk. As we arrived we were graced with what looked like a white wonderland with all the foliage covered in a delicate layer of frost. Simply breathtaking!

El Torcal is just as lovely a place to hike through at any time of year. You can choose between different trails which are well marked and the facilities also include ample parking, a small museum, gift shop and cafe to grab a refreshment before or after your hike.

If you time the walk just right, you can make it to Restaurante Museo Molino Blanco while they're still serving lunch, which is approximately a five minute drive from there.

Wishing you joy, peace and good health for the new year!