Torcas de los Palancares

Collapses in the muela

The Torcas de los Palancares are a group of torcas (collapse sinkholes), dolines and uvalas: round hollows with vertical walls in Upper Cretaceous limestone and dolostone. Rainwater and groundwater dissolved the rock and the ground collapsed; sometimes two torcas join to form a uvala. Torca Larga measures around 450 metres across and Torca Honda, the deepest, around 50 metres deep.

People’s names

Almost all have names: Torquete, Torcazo, de la Novia, del Agua, del Tío Joaquín, del Tío Demetrio, del Tío Agustín, del Sastre, Rubia, de la Escaleruela, Aliagosa, de la Zorra, de la Bañera, del Pancho, de la Covacha, Lanilla, de la Perla, Larga, del Medio Celemín, Las Mellizas, Honda, del Prado, de los Avellanos, de las Colmenas, del Lobo and del Cenajo. Some derive from those who found them, others from their shape, plants or a legend.

Junipers and birds of prey

Around them are Spanish juniper woodlands and pine forests, with monumental trees such as the Pino Candelabro, the Pino Abuelo and the Sabina Retratá. Golden eagles and falcons breed on the cliffs.

The Geological and Mining Institute defines the geological site as around 766 hectares, between 1,159 and 1,264 metres above sea level, in the municipality of Cuenca. The torcas form part of the Palancares y Tierra Muerta Natural Monument, designated in 2001.

Plan your visit

Before you travel

View the torcas from the paths, without approaching the edge, climbing down or throwing anything in.

Combine with

The Ciudad Encantada is formed from the same rock. To the south lie the lakes of Cañada del Hoyo.