Walking Routes Murcia
EL Pico de Revolcadores
EL Pico de Revolcadores is an area in the north-west of Murcia Region near Moratalla- it takes around 2hours to get there. This itinerary includes the highest peak in the area (2,027m) which is capped with snow in the winter.
Access and Data
Take the regional road “415” to get to Caravaca. At the exit, continue as far as the village of Don Fadrique. Next head towards a petrol station, and follow the turn sigh-posted “Rincon tipico” that leads to the village of Inazares. There are several ways to climb Revolcadores depending around 5hours to complete and has a gradient of 687m.
Route
The first steps of the climb take you to the top of Los Odres (1,880), through areas full of oak groves and junipers. From Inazares follow the path that leads to Casica de Corral. After 2.5km there is the so-called “Camino del Collado del Pino Gordo” that borders on Odres to the west. At this point leave the track and following the directions above, taking as your point of reference the peak of Los Odres. From here, there is a descent to the west as far as the hill that separates it from Revolcadores. We then progress via this slope until we join a path that arrives at a peak situated at an altitude of 2,001m. However, this is not the highest point, and we then have to climb a further small peak to the north to reach 2,027m. The peak of Revolcadores forms an extended plateau with fine examples of black pine, where the erosion of the rock has formed numerous abysses and cavities. There is an excellent view from here of the “macizo” of Taibilla and also the striking profile of La Sagra.
La ruta del Buitre
The el Buitre route is situated in the north-western area between Caravaca and Moratalla. It is a route that crosses one of the most gorgeous cities of this zone.
Access and Data
From Murcia take the motorway to Andalucia and come off at the Mula turning. Regional road 415 goes on towards Caravaca, and our route begins at the petrol station situated at the Caravaca exit. Take the street that is on the left once you have passed the petrol station. You will be climbing 802m from Caravaca, 327m if you leave your car at the recreation area of Nevazo. This walking route will take around 6 hours.
Route
A wide track with a firm roadbed in very good condition which climbs the southeast slope of the mountain to the recreation area n Nevazo: his part of the journey can be done by car. The path is quite twisting and follows the Nevazo stream. The walk is dominated by rock walls to the left whilst the path crosses a rocky area. 6 kilometres from Caravaca there is a spring where you can replenish your supply of water and, a little later there are tables and cooking areas. After passing through a botanical garden with exotic plants, continue walking until you reach a large house built on a hillock. At this point, the best option is to climb he slope of the mountain taking as your reference the peak of Buitre (1427m) which can be recognised by the antennae that crown it. From here it is 40 minutes to highest point of the walk. The view is magnificent: the mountain of La Muel and Los Alamos, and the village of Moratalla are a delight to behold as they extend out in front of you. To start the descent, return to the house on the hillock and take the path to the left-hand side as far as the estate of La Umbria del Buitre. The rest of the walk is comfortable, as you leaving behind a pond and then take the left branch at two crosses. The inhabited estate that you will cross allows you to replenish your water supply once again. Finally, after skirting a reservoir you enter the orchards near Moratalla.
From Calarreona to Calblanque
This walk is around the vicinity of Cabo de Palos (near Cartagena). The path runs from Cala Reona to Calblanque Regional Park along the coastline.
Access and Data
The starting point is at Cabo del Palos and a side-road leads to the where you begin the walk, at Calarreona beach. The proposed itinerary forms part of a little used path that is easily followed by observing the white and yellow signs.
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Route
To the right you ill notice a small elevation of ark rocks, where the path is clearly visible. You will also see Mount Atalayon on one side. Whilst you are walking you will have to take care to avoid stepping into some open wells. From the rocky slope that descends to the sea (known as Punta Espada) there is a relatively isolated beach (used by naturists). You can then follow a spur to the coast beyond the track. At Punta Negra the rock has been aroded by the sea, leaving behind some beautiful rock formations. The route then leaves the sea to find its own way into he Calblanque National Park, a protected section of the Murcian coastline that is particularly unspoilt and incredibly rich in its variety of flora and fauna. The path leads to the salt pits of Rasall, a habitat for numerous interesting birds such as the Avocent (Recurvirostra Avocetta). The salty soil offers protection to vegetation capable of surviving in these conditions, creating an immensely attractive countryside.
EL canon de los almadenes
River Segura carves out a wide and deep ravine between Calasparra and Cieza-unusual terrain for Murcia Region.
Access and Data
From Murcia take the national road 301 to Albacate and turn off towards Cieza. In this village take regional road 330 to Calasparra. Two crosses will aooear by the side of the roads and just after these you should take the road to the right. Once you have passed the hydroelectric power station at Almadenes continue as far as a hamlet, where the onward route will start.
Route
The first steps follow a fairly wide track, leaving an elevated hamlet to the tight. Where the path divides, you take the small path to the right climbing up to a grassy spot. From the village you have a view over a fine plot of land used for the construction of the Alfonso X111 dam. To continue, descent parallel to the bed of the River Quipar which runs to your left at great depth. This river then arrives in an extraordinary natural estuary from where you can contemplate the magnificent canyon that the River Segura ahs carved out in its passage through the mountain of Molino and its confluence with the River Quipar. To return take another path, parts of which are not well marked, to leave behind the numerous stream that irrigate the Segura. There is a very attractive and simple alternative-you can just descend the canyon as far as the pond.
Portman-Llano del Beal
The route of Portman to Llano del Beal is a walk that follows a Roman road to a splendid view of the Iberian south-east and its distinctive African-style vegetation.
Access and Data
From Cartagena take the N332 that runs to La Union, turning off towards Portman. Cross the village until you reach a crossing with a track that runs to the side of Portman-this is where the itinerary begins. This route is 6.5 Km and has a gradient of 163 m.
Route
Next to the crossroads, a path leaves to the right which then gently climbs to the Rambla del Moro. This then crosses an area of aromatic and spiny plants typical of the area. There are also some examples of Sabina mora, a very rare species in Spain. The Murcian coasts, along with the island of Malta are the only places in Europe where this tree grows. It is of African origin and has a Latin name-tetraclinis articulata. After you take the circular path through a narrow area, you will see the remains of a Roman roadway. This track, built by the Romans to exploit the mining residues of the mountains, extends for a kilometre until it arrives at the tarmac road. After 400 mitres you will reach a sign indicating EL Llano del Beal. The track then enters a zone with lots of vegetation. To the right you will see golf courses and to the left the peak of Pena del Aguila. You will also soon reach a hill from where the descent begins (described below). The last leg of the itinerary gets you into mining country, which ochre, red and yellow-coloured earth. You need to take care because of the open mines on the ground. From here all you need is to follow the signs to EL Llano del Beal, a typical mining village, where you can enjoy the gastronomic specialities of the coast and also a very popular local drink: “La Palomas”, made with aniseed and water.
La Sierra del Ricote
La Sierra del Ricote is located in the valley of Ricote. From the last Moorish rampart of the Spanish “Levante” the mountain range of Ricote rises above a green swamp.
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Access and Data
At the entrance to Archena there is a fork to the right that leads to the village of Ulea. From Ojos you need to abandon the valley path an instead pick up on the path to the left that leads to Ricote. You then cross the village to reach La Calera, where you can leave the car. La Sierra del Ricote requires an ascent of 703 m.
Route
The climb is prolonged and relatively gentle if you are on the narrow track, which is well marked. We can particularly recommend the southern slope of the Ricote Mountain-an area dense with pine vegetation. As you climb you will gradually appreciate the beauty of the Ricote valley, a rosary of green orchards of lemon trees separated by a narrow ravine. At 800 metres the path becomes a forest track. From this point it is better to abandon it and gain the summit by getting to Almeces peak (a further climb of 321 m).
Sierra Espuna
Sierra Espuna is situated near Alhama, and there is a network of short paths through the woods of the Regional Park of the Sierra Espuna.
Access and Data
In Alhama follow the path as far as the mountain, bearing to he left at the sign marked Albergue Juvenil. You will need a vehicle to reach the forest cabin of Huerat Espuna. The route takes 1 hour.
Route
Next to the forest cabin a path starts that is well marked for almost all its length. After a few minutes walking you will pass by the Espuna nurseries, terraces of tall cypresses, Canary pines and cedars. Following the path between the masses of pines you will see the bare calizas of the highest peaks of the mountains. By the side of the track you may see several colonies of squirrels, very numerous throughout the area. The path ends at the recreational area of Fuente del Hilo, very busy t weekends. From the lower part there is another path, the first branch of which offers an ascent of a steep but short slope. This path, called Codorniu, reaches the explorers camping area and, at this point, starts a pleasant descent to the forest cabin of Huerta Espuna, passing through a jumble of small shelters and rock excavations. It finally reaches the statue of Ricardo Codorniu. Here you are surrounded by forests that you can contemplate in all their massed beauty. In the last century, this mountain was almost completely devoid of vegetation. In 1891, the engineer Ricardo Codorniu knows as the “apostle of the tree” repopulated the mountains creating what is today one of the largest wooded areas in the region. At this point, follow the Lola path that leads after a short while to the lovely forest cabin of Fuente Rubeos and, a little further on, a superb clearing from where these is a great view of the peaks and the woods.
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