Much is written about the Spanish Costas; their white beaches and clear blue seas, but very little is written about the beautiful countryside; in particular the region of Murcia. The stunning contrast of mountains and plains, beaches and woodlands and semi-arid and wildly fertile lands in Murcia, is a major draw for intrepid walkers.
Visit a region where a third of the region is over two thousand feet about sea level; the highest mountain is six and a half thousand feet high; there are over one hundred miles of breath-taking coastline and the sun shines around the clock. Why it remains a tourist free destination is anyone’s guess, just enjoy it while you can…
Stretching from Alicante in the north, to Cartagena and Lorca in the south and Moratalla in the west, the region of Murcia remains largely unexplored, despite a growing number of daily flights from airlines like Ryanair and Jet2. A Moorish influence permeates the area with many old villages nestling in the mountains, waiting to be discovered. The walk to them may be steep and unruly but the views are spectacularly worth it. Murcia’s coastal towns and harbours make ideal leisurely walks for those not wanting anything too strenuous.
Costa Calida
The coastal region of Costa Cálida (translates into ‘the Hot One’ thanks to the 3000 hours of sunshine per year) offers long winding footpaths that reveal majestic mountain scenery around every corner, dropping down to an endless silvery coastline.
Lorca
Lorca, in Murcia, is home to The Sierra de Espuna National Park which rises to over 5,200 feet and is blanketed in forest. Winding routes, shady forests and picnic areas make for a lovely day out, particularly in the very hot summer months. There is a local walking group known as NEST (Nature Espuna Trails) who are always happy to welcome new members for easy and challenging hikes. There are restaurants in the mountains to refuel and rest weary limbs, while local Roman ruins of castles, villas and palaces provide historical interest.
Cartagena
The medieval neighbourhood of Cartagena looks out across spectacular beaches and has a rich, varied historical culture. There are plenty of old stone buildings, monuments and charming little streets to explore and with plenty of gentle hills you’ll feel like you’ve had a work out.
Mar Menor
One of the coast’s natural and most breath-taking attractions is the Mar Menor, the largest saltwater lake in Europe. It is actually a lagoon formed by the Mediterranean that then became enclosed. Nearby is the ancient fishing village of Cabo de Palos which has even more secluded beaches that you can walk along and feel like you’re the only person to ever have seen them. Calblanque National Park, also close to the Mar Menor, has an excellent choice of walks of varying difficulty, some long and flat, others that travel further into the hills.
Ricote Valley
This relatively unknown valley is home to several alluring small towns including Ricote, Ojós and Abáran. The landscape is dotted with fruit trees and farms while the surrounding hills are a fantastic spot for hiking and mountain biking.
A keen walker James frequently travels around Spain and Portugal, exploring the regions and the different walking routes available. Recent pictures of a holiday in Portugal can be seen on the Duas Quintas website.
