A Day Out Sierra Espuna Regional Park
The Regional Park of Sierra Espuna is absolutely stunning! It is located inland in the province of Murcia and covers some 25,000 hectares. It has been protected since 1930 and in 1992 it was classified as a Regional Park. Pine trees cover most of the park and, as it has some 20 mountain peaks above 1,000 meters the views over the top of the pine forests are magnificent. It takes its name from its highest mountain, the Espuna at 1583 meters!
The park has quite an intriguing history. The region of Murica enjoyed great prosperity during the 18th century when it plundered its natural resources including most of its pine forests. When Ricardo Codorniu, a passionate nature lover and forest engineer returned to the region in 1889, he was devastated by the destruction which the years of economic boom had caused. He set about restoring the forest, replanting some 19,000 hectares and becoming known as the ‘apostle of tress’. As you drive though the park you’ll notice evidence of his hard work as a lot of the pine trees are planted in straight lines.
Today the park is criss crossed with many hundreds of kilometres of marked walking and cycling routes. The mountain road is very well maintained and there are numerous panoramic viewpoints as well as some great picnic and barbecue areas. If you’re lucky you’ll see the Moufflon mountain goats, wild boars and circling eagles during your scenic drive.
Places to stop during a day out in the Sierra Espuna Regional Park
- Totana: inland town which is well known for the production of ceramics and pottery.
- Sanctuary of Santa Eulalia: 16th century monastery now a hotel and restaurant with an amazing church.
- Viewpoint del Cristo: stunning 360 degrees views.
- Aledo: tranquil village dominated by its 11th century tower.
- Ice Storage Huts: 16th century sunken huts for storing snow and ice during the summer.
- Picnic & Barbecue Area del Hilo: great place to enjoy your lunch, sometimes visited by wild bore!
- Visitors Centre: permanent exhibition about the flora and fauna of the park as well as some information on walking routes.
- Alhama de Murcia: inland town with an impressive castle.
Places of Interest
1 Totana
N37o46.195 W1o30.106Parking: is in the underground car park and is charged for by length of stay.
From here: the main square is above the car park, the town hall and church are across the road.
Top tip: the sanctuary makes a much better coffee stop just 10 kilometres away, so you don't have to stop in Totana at all!
Places of interest and things to do in Totana
- Town Centre: large open plaza.
- Town Hall: tourist office is located inside here.
- Church: 16th century decorated in the mudejar (Islamic) style.
- Fuente de Juan de Uzeta: 17th century water fountain built in black and pink Jasper.
- Cafes: plenty to choose from for your morning coffee, alternatively continue to the sanctuary.
2 Sanctuary of Santa Eulalia
N37o47.931 W1o33.498Parking: is in the car park and is free.
From here: explore the sanctuary.
Top tip: there are free toilets just below the car park.
Places of interest and things to do at the Sanctuary of Santa Eulalia
- Church: beautifully decorated in the Mudejar style, take a look inside. It is open everyday during the winter from 10.00-14.00 & 16.00-18.00 and during the summer from 10.00-14.00 & 17.00-19.00.
- Restaurant: for morning coffee.
- Gardens: explore the stunning location and buildings of the sanctuary.
3 Viewpoint del Cristo
N37o47.863 W1o33.196Parking: is on the gravelled area and is free.
From here: you are right beside the statue.
Places of interest and things to do at the Viewpoint del Cristo
- Views: on a clear day you’ll see the sea at Mazarron in one direction and the mountains of the Sierra Nevadas in the other!
4 Aledo
N37o47.746 W1o34.403Parking: is in the marked parking area and is free.
From here: it is a short walk uphill to the tower.
Top tip: there is a bakery and café opposite the car park.
Places of interest and things to do in Aledo
- Village: walk through the quiet streets of the village towards the tower.
- Tower del Homenaje: built in the 11th century to control the valley below. Go in and climb the steps to the top for more amazing views! Inside the tower is a tourist office and exhibitions about the tower and the village. It is free to visit and is open all year Mon-Thurs 08.30-15.00, Fri-Sat 09.30-14.00 and Sun 10.45-13.00.
5 Ice Storage Huts
N37o52.170 W1o34.068Parking: is in the car park and is free.
From here: make the short walk to the ice huts.
Top tip: the road is only open from 08.00-18.00! Remember when exiting the car park to turn downhill to rejoin the road.
Places of interest and things to do at the Ice Storage Huts
- Walk: short 5 minuet walk to the ice storage huts. One has been renovated whilst the other two are in a ruined state. They were used from the 16th century right up until the 1920’s to store the winter snow well into the hot summers.
6 Picnic & Barbecue Area del Hilo
N37o51.485 W1o31.377Parking: is in the car park area and is free.
From here: the barbecues and picnic area is beside you, the public toilets are beside the restaurant.
Places of interest and things to do at the Area del Hilo
- Barbecues: these are only allowed during the winter; bring your own charcoal, fire-lighters, matches, meat and enjoy!
- Picnic tables: dine outside in style!
- Wild Bores: the restaurant leaves out food for the wild bores, so if you’re lucky they might be enjoying their lunch too!!
- Forest House: short walk away this is a handsomely restored building which, contains an exhibition geared toward children about the park’s history and the wildlife to be found within its borders. An information desk has maps and leaflets describing walking trails.
7 Visitors Centre
N37o51.340 W1o30.727Parking: is in the car park and is free.
From here: you are right beside the visitors centre.
Places of interest and things to do at the Visitors Centre
- Visitors Centre: permanent exhibition about the flora and fauna of the park as well as some information on walking routes. It is open all year from Tues-Sun 10.00-14.00 & 15.00-18.00.
8 Alhama de Murcia
N37o51.108 W1o25.656Parking: is beside the road wherever there is space and is free.
From here: explore the Plaza Americas in front of you then follow the signs to the Centro Viejo for the old town with its multi coloured houses.
Places of interest and things to do in Alhama de Murcia
- Plaza Americas: interesting pavement tiles depicting the flags of the Americas and a beautiful hand painted map.
- Plaza Viejo: the old town square with multi coloured houses and a cultural centre.
- Roman Baths Museum: an archaeological museum which also houses the Roman baths.
- Churches: two impressive churches, one in the Plaza Viejo and the other in the Plaza Americas.
- Castillo de Alhama: sitting high on the hill is the impressive castle from the 11th century.
