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From the commercial centre go up the straight road past the golf course (but don’t veer off to the right to the club house. 

Continue on with the orange groves on your left as the road becomes a track, (we ignored the no admittance sign as we assumed that referred to vehicles) bear left, then at the corner of the storage lake go right and start the climb to the top.

After rising steeply the track levels out and bears right to reach the summit at a gentler gradient.

After reaching the summit and enjoying the views, to descend you can use the track of route b).

Head towards Algorfa on the new road and at the roundabout by the new white houses, which are the last of the La Finca urbanisations, turn left up the road towards the large green storage building belonging to the golf course, passing a lake on your left.

About 100 yards after the storage building, just before the large piles of tipped stone and rubble, turn right along a track that takes you through an area that appears to be a tip for grass and palm tree cuttings (amongst other things). 

Follow the path/track as it weaves away from the tip across open country, round the top of a gulley, then heads towards the visible path that rises around the right of the minor hill.  The path bends round the hill and rises steeply with a deep gulley to its left.  The path straightens out to climb less steeply parallel to the edge of the mountain to reach the summit.

After reaching the summit and enjoying the views, if you can get under the fence it is possible to descend using the track of route a).

View from top showing twin lakes of La Mata and Torrevieja. The cairn at the summit with La Finca golf development in foreground.

The cairn at the summit
with La Finca golf development in foreground      

For an unusual morning’s walk you could try the valley of the Rio Seco.  It is on the fringes of the urbanizacion of Pinar de Campoverde. 

You reach this by going first to Pilar de La Horadada, leave the town by the CV 925 then turn right at the first roundabout signposted Campoverde. 

Go right to the end of the urbanizacion and follow the signs to Area Natural and park by the visitor centre (open weekends only). 

Follow the plan from their website.  The website says it is about 2½ K but it seemed longer.  After passing through the valley there is still about a ¾ mile walk back to the car. 

The scenery is excellent and the going fairly easy but it can get hot in the valley so arrive early.  It is an unspoilt area with (apparently) abundant wildlife.

Salt Lake at La Mata

Walk near the Salt Lake at La Mata.  

The visitor centre near La Mata is signposted and accessed from the roundabout on the N332 coast road near La Mata.  Park in the car park at the centre then follow the direction signs.  Good views over the lake and some bird watching points on the route.  The whole walk takes about an hour.

Salt Lake at Santa Pola

Walks near the salt lakes at Santa Pola. See Webpage.

Access to the shorter of the two walks is from the Playa El Pinet which is at the northern end of the La Marina road off the N332.  Turn towards the sea at the signpost to the beach then park in the newly created car park.  Walk left from there with the salt lakes on your left.

The route is marked with a right turn to reach the shore through the dunes area and back along the beach.  Pass to the rear of the houses before turning right back to your vehicle. Only about 2 kilometres.

Leaving Algorfa from the traffic lights, towards Almoradí, turn right at the first roundabout.

Parking is easy, there are plenty of places to tuck your car into the side of the road.

The walk is flat and very easy on foot. It's also a great place to cycle. Occasionally a car will pass, and sometimes a dozen or so cycles from a cycle club will race past.

For nature lovers this is a lovely walk. Aguagest, the water authority, last year planted literally thousands of trees along this stretch, some of them been labeled.

Leaving Algorfa from the traffic lights, towards Almoradí, take the 4th exit at the second roundabout (under the bridge) turning into a track road.

As on the river walk road towards Guardemar, there are plenty of spots to tuck your car into. Although driving your car further along, you will find a designated car park.

There is an alternative start to the walk - if you drive towards Benejúzar, turn right along a track road before La Ermita.

Or if you liver near by, leave your car at home and walk to the river.

There are lots of picnic areas and places to sit.

You will also come across a lovely charming and typical Spanish hamlet.

For bird watchers, you will spot many species of water foul - and even the odd 'fisherman'!

The walk can be as long as you want, with the opportunity to swap riverbanks on the way back.

Benejúzar is the next village along from Algorfa, past La Ermita and the cement factory. Follow the road until you come to a roundabout. Take the first turning (right). Continue until a further roundabout and take a left turn which should be signposted to Benejúzar.

Continue a short way until a further roundabout and take the first right and then immediately left (as in the picture on the right).

Continue along until you come to a huge natural park.

The EU Commission donates 'muchos dineros' for the upkeep of this natural park.

Amazing and beautiful structures, seemly built in the middle of nowhere!

This walk would suit those that like to amble and those that like to scramble over the rough terrain.

You can spend all week wandering around the park and possibly not meet a soul.

Car parks have been built as have plenty of picnic areas. Gather your friends together, have a barbeque (as in the picture below) and have a ball! (Not sure though if barbecuing is allowed during the heat of a summer drought).

Walk along the dried up river beds.

This is a great location for a picnic with the option of walking if you are energetic enough. The place is right at the base of the Sierra de Callosa, the craggy range of mountains that rise up from the Vega Baja to the west of Algorfa that we can all see west of the village.  It is an ‘area natural’ that has had a lot of money invested in it to create ample parking areas, gardens, fixed barbecues, picnic tables, camping area, washing facilities and clean toilets.

There is plenty of shade for when the sun is high.  It can doubtless get busy in the high season but we have been three times in winter and spring, and there have been few visitors, just the odd workman or conservator.

It is not surprising that non-locals do not know of its existence, as it is easy to drive past and miss it.  Hopefully the following instructions will help you.

How to get there?

From Algorfa traffic lights head for Almoradi and at the second roundabout take the CV – 91 towards Orihuela and the hospital.  At the second roundabout beside the big green and yellow bricolage turn right towards Callosa de Segura and Redovan.

To get there follow directions from Algorfa to Callosa and the Cueva Ahumada, then continue on to Redovan.

Bear right into the centre of town and make your way upwards. 

The Area Recreativa is signposted from the town centre, but not particularly well, and a one way traffic system makes navigation difficult.  Just keep going uphill. 

There is only one road with houses that goes higher up the mountainside; you turn left into the area before going up its last section.  The map shows its general location. Persevere, it will be worth it.

Parking is plentiful near the centre of the site by the Santuario.

Looking back over Redovan and the first half of the walk

At the Virgen de la Cueva