ARCHIVED - Alhama de Murcia opens booking for March Sendalhama walking routes

Two guided walks visit the Sierra Espuña and Ricote Valley

Alhama de Murcia council offer an annual programme of guided walks called Sendalhama, all of which depart from the centre of Alhama de Murcia. The walks are always very popular, but places are limited, with pre-booking opened in blocks of two walks at a  time.

The registration period for first two walks in the Sendalhama 2015 program is now open, and anyone wishing to participate should register as soon as possible.

The Sendalhama program of walks is designed to encourage residents of Alhama de Murcia to go out and enjoy not only the interesting locations of their own municipality but also of other areas in the Region of Murcia, as well as attracting visitors from outside the immediate area. The program has grown in popularity over the last few years and in 2014 a total of 972 people took part.

Pre-registration is essential. This must be done IN PERSON at the tourist office in Alhama de Murcia (opening hours Monday to Friday 9.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 20.00, Saturday 10.00 to 13.00). No inscription via any other means is accepted as places have been allocated in the past to people who have failed to turn up. One person can register a maximum of 6 participants and places are limited. ID, name, telephone number and email address must be supplied when booking.

The walks cost 3 euros each to cover the cost of minibus transport and include the services of a qualified guide. Walkers aged under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

It is strongly recommended that all participants carry at least a litre of water to drink and a light snack, and also wear strong shoes and carry walking sticks if they have one. Cameras and binoculars can also be useful!

Meals are sometimes taken afterwards in a local restaurant: if you are not intending to eat, then this must be advised at time of booking.

The bus for each route leaves the fairground in Alhama (the patch of ground behind the Parque Cubana) at 8.00 on the day of the event.
 
The routes included in the Sendalhama 2015 program are the following:
1st March: the Senda del Agua path in Sierra Espuña
This 12.8-kilometre route follows a mountain stream and includes magnificent panoramic views and interesting places such as Fuente Bermeja, the leafy forest of La Selva and the Casa Leyva. The walk begins at the Paraje de Carmona and ends in El Berro, and includes climbs and descents totaling 447 metres. An optional lunch is organized in El Berro after a walk which is expected to last approximately 4 hours.

14th and 15th March: the Senda de los Moriscos in the Ricote valley
This circular 8.5- kilometer route begins and ends in the town of Ricote, and offers a chance to visit one of the most unusual landscapes in the Region of Murcia, and one with a fascinating history. The Senda de los Moriscos is one of the many legacies left by the Moorish population which remained in the valley long after they had been expelled from the rest of Murcia, and includes the Iglesia de San Sebastián, the Ventanica de Ojós, the Vereda de Ojós, the Albergue de la Calera and the Ermita Señora de las Huertas.
This relatively easy walk is expected to last approximately three and a half hours, and no group lunch is being organized afterwards.

12th April: the snow wells of Sierra Espuña
This emblematic 9.5-kilometre route, which begins and ends in the car park of Collado Mangueta in the upper slopes of Sierra Espuña, includes the snow wells which served Cartagena and offers panoramic views from the Cumbre Pedro López (weather permitting). The walk is expected to last around four hours, with stops included, and no group lunch is planned afterwards.

25th April: the Barranco de la Hoz and Valdelaparra in Sierra Espuña
The circular route takes walkers on a 13.5-kilometre ramble from the Collado de Prado Chico to Barranco de la Hoz, Barranco de Valdelaparra and the Camino de Prado Mayor, and includes 460 metres of climbs and descents. The fine spring water of Fuente Blanca makes the trip worthwhile on its own, and this is also a chance to get to know one of the lesser known areas of Sierra Espuña.
The walk is expected to last around four and a half hours, and no group lunch is planned afterwards.

26th and 27th September, the Sierra de las Moreras and the coves of Mazarrón
Walkers joining in this activity will cover a 12-kilometre route from Bolnuevo to Puntas de Calnegre, enjoying spectacular views of the coast and the Mediterranean. The four-hour route is mainly flat as it follows the coastline, and those taking part are invited to join in a group lunch in Puntas de Calnegre afterwards.

18th October, Sierra de La Muela
A 13-kilometre circular route begins and ends at the Casa Forestal “La Muela”, and includes a climb up to the peak of La Muela and a visit to the reservoir of the Rambla de Algeciras. There are climbs and descents totaling approximately 375 metres.
The walk is expected to last around four hours (with stops along the way) and no group lunch is planned afterwards.