A vast mosaics of landscapes, history and customs

The mountain region of Sierra Espuña is one of the most accessible in Murcia.

The Sierra Espuña Regional Reserve is located in the central part of the Murcia region, between the districts of Alhama de Murcia, Totana and Mula. It is an area full of contrasts, where visitors will find everything from forests, steppes and high-mountain scenery; to rivers and reservoirs, and dry or irrigated agricultural areas... It has an average altitude of around 800 metres, and reaches a maximum height of 1,583 metres. The uneven relief of the Sierra Espuña range is precisely one of its main attractions, as this is what gives it its unique and imposing landscapes such as the Paredes de Leyva cliff faces, the Cuchillos de El Bosque, the Muela plateau, and the ravines of Gebas or la Hoz. Another curious feature is the Pozos de Nieve, or snow pits, whose origins date from the 16th century, and which are located at an altitude of 1,300 metres. These are 26 large circular holes dug out of the ground which once served as refrigerators. Every winter, teams of workers stored the snow inside them so that in spring the bars of ice could be used in cities throughout the area.