Is this the best walking and hiking route in the Region of Murcia?

A 14-kilometre route in Sierra Espuña, a spectacular rock wall, pine forests and views as far as the Mediterranean!

There are many ways to experience and enjoy the beauty of nature first hand, whether it’s on land, in the water or even by air, but probably the best for most people (and of course, the most affordable!) is to take a walk – or a hike if you prefer – in the countryside.

There are literally hundreds of places in the Region of Murcia where this can be a rewarding experience for all the family, but among them the Spanish travel magazine Viajar has recently identified the “Ruta de las Paredes de Leyva” in the mountains of Sierra Espuña as the best!

At altitudes of up to 1,300 metres above sea level (that’s approximately the same as Ben Nevis, to put it into perspective for British readers) the views on a clear day go as far as the Mediterranean, a full 35 kilometres away, and the main feature of the landscape up here is one of the most spectacular limestone rock walls in Spain. Climbers come here to attempt an ascent of around 200 metres and for less intrepid visitors the think pine forests alongside and the 16^th-century snow wells are also very attractive!

The suggested circular route is 14 kilometres long with 700 metres of climb and descent, so it might not be advisable for all visitors – in fact, experts recommend that it should not be undertaken with young children. Dogs can also be more of a hindrance than a help, but for experienced walkers and hikers this is the perfect destination for spending a summer day in the cooler air of the mountains.

A convenient starting point might be the restaurant of La Perdiz (click for map), one of the few permitted in the regional park of Sierra Espuña, where nearby is the short “Route of the Dinosaur” (perfect if either Mum or Dad wants to go on a long hike and the other prefers to stay with the kids!). Either way, this is definitely a good spot for some much-needed refreshment and resting those knees when your excursion is over!