La Ciudad Encantada — Attraction in Cuenca

A 20-minute drive from Cuenca through gorgeous mountains, this park comprised of geological formations is excellent for a one-hour hike through well maintained path, or much longer if you are the type that prefers to explore and picnic. For a small fee you enter the park and are given a map that takes you in a long one-way loop where you can spend as much or as little time as you prefer. You are permitted to climb the fomartions and leave the path, so it is really an exciting place for those of us that really like to explore.

There are thousands upon thousands of rock formations, but a handful are considered special because of their resemblance to other things ie: “The Lovers” “The Ships” The Fight Between the Elephant and The Crocodile”. These special formations are highlighted in the paper map given at the ticket booth and also in the signs along the path pointing them out, along with their stories. The formations were carved by water standing on top of the limestone and eating away at the rock through the millennia. At one point on the path you go through a deep gorge, and then emerge at a higher elevation to see a wide expanse of stone field aka the “Stone Sea”, it looks like a vast lava field. This is what the area once looked like prior to the erosion carving the limestone into the formations you now see.

The park has wildlife specific to the area, including a beautiful green plant that only grows from the rock in this region. On a side note, we found out that Conan the Barbarian was filmed here. We visited in the morning in January, and only encountered a few people. I love that we were able to set the pace and explore without being rushed. My only regret is that we didn’t bring a picnic. Ultimately, it is a great place for anyone who can walk an easy path up to 1 mile. There are a few steps here and there, so it might be difficult for someone in a wheelchair, but I think you should be able to work around these with some consultation with...

Magic place!!! The rock formations of Ciudad Encantada are karst formations made of limestone and dolomite, which date back to the Cretaceus period, approximately 90 million years ago. In all this years with different weather form of rocks has been changed and now we can see amazing stones which look like animals, people, sea or boat. I was surprised! Something changed inside me when I was walking there. And was Interesting to keeping road and walking on special way. There also made some movies and TV programs! You need to buy tickets there, they not accept credit card, only cash, but you can pay in other shop which behind this one by credit card and back with the bill. Road 3 km walking. There always colder, because on the top. You will find there a big parking with restaurant and hotel, also 2 souvenirs shops. From Madrid by car around 2.10-2.30 min. After parque hardly recommend to visit Cuenca city! Smal, colorful nice city with old Town and a big Plaza, with a lot of nice restaurants and hotels. There you can use only comfortable, sport...

Beautiful place for a visit, gets very very crowded, so you might want to count with some additional time waiting the queue. Big plus for allowing the entrance with dogs (on leash). Entrance for 5€ is complelty reasonable, with guide for 6€, it's a pity there is no possibility to get an english one (with my Spanish I am not able to understand their fast way of speaking, hehe). There is a parking lot just by the place, but think twice where you park, as people put their cars in really crazy way just to fit. Also, if you are new to the area keep in mind the GPS and signal overall works...