From Pilar de la Horadada we reach our destination by crossing the Pinar de Campoverde residential complex just 9 km from the town centre. It seems amazing that we can enjoy such a varied and interesting landscape so close to the town centre.
Our 2 km route is classed as easy, and it takes approximately 40 minutes. It is an old river bed, fed today by the irrigation waters from the nearby market gardens.
The Natural Area includes several camp sites, bathrooms with hot water showers, drinking water fountains, lighting, barbecues, areas with tables and chairs, car parking and a lodge. Panels provide information on the hiking trail and the local flora and fauna.
Along our pleasant route we can observe wild plants such as rosemary, thyme, rushes and broom, thanks to the good conservation of the Mediterranean forest in this area. Bird spotting is guaranteed, since the rocky walls are used as a nesting site by birds such as blackbirds, pigeons and eagle owls.
The paths are well signposted and, if you wish, you can enjoy a picnic in the rest area at the end of your walk or use the services of the Restaurante Mesón Río Seco.
We would like to encourage all of our customers to get to know our environment, to enjoy nature and take some exercise in the open air.

Route Guide Book

Suggested full day visit

We could start the day by visiting the “Punic Wall Interpretation Centre” (lasting approximately 45 mins). This wall was built in the Carthaginian Era (third century B.C.) and is believed to have been used subsequently by the Romans. It is one of the few Punic sites of the Iberian Peninsula and therefore a unique site to visit. The remains have a total length of 30m and at some points reach a height of 3m.

We can continue by walking to the Roman Theatre, building up our strength by stopping for a tapa at “Bodega la Uva Jumillana” at C/ Jara 28. The mid-morning snack is typical and fundamental in the Mediterranean diet. And if we wish, and we have enough time, we can go for a stroll along the C/ Mayor, a street full of shops that set out to recover a little of the old style of shopping, away from the big shopping centres.

The visit to the “Museum and Roman Theatre”, (lasting approximately 1h.) begins at 12.00.  This is, without doubt, one of the most surprising discoveries of the city, since it was discovered by chance in the nineteen-eighties. It was opened in 2008, after numerous excavations and the discovery of numerous different historical eras deposited in layers one above the other, on the same site. The route begins in the historic corridor of the theatre, where an explanation is given of the numerous eras discovered there as well as of its architecture, followed by the explanation in the Theatre itself of the role of theatre in the society of the time.  If you leave by retracing your steps and following the route in the opposite direction make sure you do not miss the pictorial exhibition at the beginning.

After such a full morning it is advisable to replenish our strength and enjoy the cuisine of Cartagena. One of the best places to eat for its quality-price relationship is the “Restaurante La Tartana” at C/ Puerta de Murcia 14 (Tel. 968 500 011).

Here are some representative examples of this cuisine:

-          Mojama and roe with almonds (this is a legacy of the Romans. It is salted fish, delicious and therefore highly prized).

-          Michirones cartageneros (fresh or dried broad beans in a casserole).

-          Marineras (rings of bread with Russian salad and an anchovy).

-          Matrimonios (a fresh anchovy and a salted one).

-          Pulpo a la cartagenera (octopus).

-          Montaditos (mini rolls):

• Cantonal: ham and Roquefort cheese.
• Campero: loin and ham.
• Fronterizo: loin and chorizo sausage.
• Reglamento: loin.

And to finish, the Cartagena drink par excellence: the Café Asiático (coffee, condensed milk, brandy, licor 43 and cinnamon) served in a glass dating from 1932 and which is currently imported from Belgium. This drink originates in the port, since the fishermen carried on board “café de recuelo” (low quality used coffee), brandy and condensed milk that would not go sour. This drink helped them to support their work more cheerfully in the harsh outdoor conditions.

We will begin the afternoon by going to the 18th century “Castillo de la Concepción” by taking the panoramic lift (which is welcome after such a succulent lunch). The visit lasts approximately 30 minutes and the last visit begins at 16.00. It will give us an overall idea of the history and economic resources of Cartagena. In addition, we will enjoy some spectacular panoramic views of the city.

If we still have any energy left to continue we can finish the visit with a walk in the port where we will see Isaac Peral’s submarine prototype, an electrically propelled subaquatic prototype.

After Easter the Roman quarter of Molinete will be opened. This includes Roman baths, a gymnasium and an area of 1,200m² where all kinds of celebrations were held. It can be visited together with the Decumano, which was the main street that ran from east to west, connecting the port with the forum.

Any of the guided tours can be taken in English, provided that we arrange this in advance and that we also notify our intention to visit 4 centres by calling the following telephone number: 968 500 093. A guided tour is always the most recommendable since it provides us with so much more interesting information, there is no need to read, we can ask questions and above all… it’s free!, there is no extra cost. So, why not?

If we take the option of buying a combined ticket for 4 centres, which is quite economic (€9 reduced price for online purchase, retired people, students… and €12 normal entry) we must be prepared for a very full day during which we are going to burn a lot of energy, or we can distribute the visits over several days, since this ticket is valid for 15 days.

Tourist information

Cartagena Puerto de Culturas

C/ Gisbert 10. 30202 Cartagena

Tel. 968.500.093

Email: información@puertoculturas.com

www.cartagenapuertodeculturas.com

The “Salt Industry Interpretation Centre” is located in the old railway station, at the start of the green lane. Its aim is to describe the history of Torrevieja as well as the pillars of its economy, which have historically been fishing and salt, as well as the particularities of the salt industry of Torrevieja.

This is the start of the green lane, a footpath of 7km (be careful, because the return trip is another 7km) built along the old railway track, which can be covered by bicycle or on foot. After some 600m we can observe the salt mountains and after approximately 4 km, the “Pink Lagoon”, which forms part of the protected natural space of “The Lagoons of Torrevieja and La Mata”. To see the Green Lagoon we must continue to La Mata. In this Green Lagoon, in the Roman era, there was a small factory that used this salt for the manufacture of “garum”, a paste made from fish intestines, and which was as highly prized as caviar, or more so. It was considered to be an aphrodisiac and was only consumed by the upper echelons of society. Instead of sprinkling grains of salt onto food, they would sprinkle some grains of “garum”.

These salt works do not have a traditional extraction system, since the whole lagoon acts as a sea water evaporation tank. The current operators are French, and average annual production is 800,000 tonnes.

If we are especially interested in visiting the park there is a Visitors’ Reception Centre. Depending on the time of year different migratory birds can be seen, winter visitors or nesters who complete their biological cycle in this wetland. There are hides for this purpose. This route can also be followed by bicycle.

The “Cala de la Zorra”

This is a natural and almost undeveloped area. To get here follow the beach road from Torrevieja to la Mata and pass the “Pub 222” on the right, 500 m later the cove area begins. The ideal place to take a short walk and enjoy its marvellous views.

Salt Industry Interpretation Centre

From Monday to Friday from 9,00 to 14,00

Avda. de la estación s/n

Torrevieja

Tel. 96.570.84.60

Tourist information Parque Natural de la Mata

From Tuesday to Friday from 9,30 to 14,00. From Tuesday to Thursday from 16,00 to 17,30

Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays 9,30-13,30

N-332

Tel. 966.920.404