On a recent trip to Cuenca city we took time out to head to the Karst rock formations and walk the signposted circular route around the giant nature-carved statues of Ciudad Encantada -the Enchanted City in the Natural Reserve of the Serranía de Cuenca mountain range.
The first, and also the last formation, El Tormo Alto sets the tone as each giant sculpture is a witness to nature´s work over eons. The route splits just after this work of nature and winds and weaves through the dappled shade of looming trees, mainly firs, from one piece of ´art´ to another.
Lying about midway between Madrid and Valencia at an altitude of nearly 1,500 metres the colossal lumps of stone formed by wind, water and ice into whimsical formations turn the walk into a magical landscape of wonder.
The 3km route brings a constant new surprises and formations, many named after animals and other shapes. The whole route is well signposted, although one or two had been turned the wrong way, and easy to walk.
The walk takes around one hour and a half if you´re a dawdler or a snapper or poser for shots – a photographers paradise it is. Take water and a hat with you and don´t expect toilets en route.
The supremacy of nature, the silence and the works of the wild make me want to clamber over those I can reach childlike in a fairytale. I resist the urge.
The softer, reddish limestone is the type of rock that has been worn away, leaving the harder, greyer dolomite stone above it that has caused this fantasy city of naturally carved rock art.