Day Out Calblanque Regional Park
The Calblanque Regional Park, which has been a Protected Natural Area since 1987 and Nature Reserve since 1992 makes for a great day out. It covers an area of 2400 hectares and has 13 kilometres of coastline. Within its boundaries is an awe inspiring collection of wonderful sand beaches, sandbanks, arid hills, cliff tops and salt flats all of great ecological value.
This Nature Reserve represents one of the last untouched areas along the Mediterranean coastline and is truly unspoilt. There are no facilities here (apart from some toilets at the visitors centre) so don’t forget to pack a picnic! Please be aware that the undercurrents are strong in this area as the bottom of the sea drops steeply away in line with the cliffs above.
.Places to stop during a day out in the Calblanque Regional Park
- Visitors Centre: small building with information about the park.
- Beaches: there are two rural unspoilt beaches to choose from.
- Salt Flats: a small working salt flat.
- Walking and Cycling Routes: many marked routes through the park.
- Cabo de Palos: a great place to stop for something to eat or drink.
Places of Interest
1 Park Entrance
N37o37.366 W0o45.184Parking: this isn't an actual stop, but the best entrance point for the Calblanque Regional Park.
From here: continue to drive along the dirt track with fields on either side to all the destination in the park.
2 Visitors Centre
N37°36.619 W0°45.466Parking: is in the car park and is free
From here: the visitors centre is right beside the car park. There is information about the fauna, flora and geology of the park as well as leaflets. There are notice boards which show the routes, but sadly no walking or cycling route maps, however all trails are marked by the usual paint.
Places of interest and things to do at the Visitors Centre
- Information: there are some displays about the flora and fauna and geology of the park.
- Walking & Cycling Routes: There are notice boards which show the routes, but sadly no walking or cycling route maps, however all trails are marked by the usual paint.
- Toilets: there are toilets here, which can be used when the centre is open
3 Salt Flats Salinas de Rasell
N37°36.232 W0°43.935Parking: is in the designated car parking area.
From here: the small salt flat is beside the car park.
Places of interest and things to do at the Salt Flats
- Salt Flats: a great place to watch the varied bird life from.
4 Beach Playa Calblanque
N37°36.232 W0°43.935Parking: is in the car park areas or beside the road, making sure other vehicles can pass.
From here: walk down onto Playa Calblanque and enjoy.
Places of interest and things to do at Playa Clablanque
- Beach: a rural beach to enjoy sun bathing, swimming or just a walk along the sand.
5 Beach Playa Negrete
N37°35.975 W0°45.552Parking: is in anyone of the designated car parking areas.
From here: walk along the wooden boards down onto the beach and enjoy!
Places of interest and things to do at Playa Negrete
- Beach: a rural beach to enjoy sun bathing, swimming or just a walk along the sand.
6 Walking and Cycling Routes
N37°36.619 W0°45.466Parking: depends which route you decide to walk, but use designated parking areas only.
From here: the only circular walking route is approximately 8 km and starts and finishes at the Visitors Centre. All walking and cycling routes are marked and the park authorities ask that you keep to the routes.
Places of interest and things to do at the Salt Flats
- Walking & Cycling Routes: the only circular walking route is approximately 8 km and starts and finishes at the Visitors Centre. All walking and cycling routes are marked and the park authorities ask that you keep to the routes.
- Picnic: always best to take a picnic as the park does not have any cafes or places to get food or drink from.
7 Cabo de Palos
N37°37.989 W0°42.100Parking: is on the street beside the marina, if you can’t find a space try any of the side streets.
From here: walk around to the restaurants which are found along the seafront at the mouth of the marina.
Places of interest and things to do in Cabo de Palos
- Marina: suitable for small boats only, great selection of fish restaurants.
- Rocky Coastline: excellent for exploring.
- Lighthouse: on rocky cliffs, good for walking around.
- Beach: small and sandy.
- Market: large Sunday morning.
