Views of Sierra Espuña in Murcia

What to do in Murcia: Sierra Espuña: nature in its purest form

Region of Murcia

Region of Murcia

The Sierra Espuña mountains are an ideal destination for hikers, birdwatchers, and photographers who love to capture huge panoramas with a single click. A place where you can lose the notion of time, and find yourself.   Located in the western part of the mountains of the Cordillera Bética, in Murcia, Sierra Espuña has over 17,000 hectares for you to explore. A sweeping landscape that covers the municipalities of Aledo, Alhama, Mula, Pliego and Totana in the Murcia region. Villages, farmhouses, picturesque neighbourhoods and a landscape of incalculable natural value invite you to visit. 

Walk along the Senda del Caracol, a zigzag pathway to heaven

Your route starts off with an easy stretch from the Leyva Valley basin, where you’ll enjoy an unrivalled sense of peace and tranquillity. Discover all sorts of species native to the area, and a landscape dominated by Aleppo pines. You'll soon reach your first stop off point, the Senda del Caracol, a curious set of steps that zigzag their way up to a plateau at height of 1,500 metres.When you reach the top you'll have a view of the whole of the mountain range. 

Group of hikers climbing the Senda del Caracol in Sierra Espuña, Murcia

Discover the mountain landscape of the Paredes de Leyva

The Paredes de Leyva are one of the best-known attractions in the area. Follow the signs and you’ll see an immense vertical wall of white rock in the distance. A two-kilometre long abyss. No wonder it’s become a magnet for climbers, as it offers climbs of over 200 metres. An unforgettable landscape where you may also catch a glimpse of the golden eagle and the eagle owl, birds that have led to this area being declared a Special Protection Area for birds (SPA).

Views of the Paredes de Leyva, Murcia

Explore the Senda del Dinosaurio, a trip back into the past

Although it's not altogether clear whether or not there were dinosaurs during that particular era, the remains found in the Sierra Espuña appear to indicate that there were. Get yourself ready to explore the Senda del Dinosaurio and draw your own conclusions. There you'll come face-to-face with a massive dinosaur footprint on one of the rocks on the path. To get there, you need to cross the beautiful hanging bridge across the Leiva ravine and then it's a gentle two-kilometre walk. A route that's suitable for children. The Turullón peak, the Espuña river and even the Morrón de Alhama will gradually come into view. Furthermore, the trail is very clearly signposted from the recreational area at La Perdiz. 

Hikers crossing the hanging bridge on the way to Senda del Dinosaurio, Murcia

Arco de Sigismondi, a gateway to another world

The Arco de Sigismondi is something else that shouldn't be missed. Erosion has transformed the rock into a perfect natural work of art. Unwind and forget about the stresses and strains of everyday life as you gaze out over the horizon at a height of more than 1,500 metres. Feel the breeze on your face and enjoy the stunning views before starting to make your way back down. A place that's big, beautiful and magnificent enough to make you fall in love and want to come back again.  And speaking of future visits, one of the best ways to explore these mountains is paragliding. From way up high you'll see how nature spans so many different places, impressive in terms of their cuisine, culture and beauty. Get ready to go on an unforgettable trip, and to discover these incredible routes.

Arco de Sigismondi, eroded rocks over 1,500 metres above sea level in Sierra Espuña, Murcia
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