The walk on the Wednesday 25th October was a bit unusual for the hill walking group. There were a couple of firsts. It was the first time we had started a walk in a built-up area of a city also the first walk completely on tarmac, along a disused railway line, without anyone at any stage having to put their hands on the ground to negotiate the way. And we finished the walk on time!

The first couple of kilometres consisted of a steady climb, which raised the comment of ” I thought railways were supposed to be on the flat”, followed by a long steady downhill past the Olympic shooting range. Relics of the old railway were evident in the form of a 7-kilometre distance maker and a disc signal gantry. More substantial structures included an old goods shed which is now a bar complete with an old photograph of the building inside the entrance, two disused station buildings and the most impressive of the all a two-hundred-metre-long tunnel.

We stopped just outside the town centre of Molina Segura and inspected the information boards which were conveniently written in English and Spanish, before returning the way we had come.

The total length of the walk was fourteen kilometres. The whole route is 52 kilometres from Murcia to Caravaca de la Crux. It was suggested that we could walk the whole way, so that is a walk for the future.

For our November walk, we met at the Murcia Pass services on the A30 and proceeded to the start of the walk in the National Park area above the urbanisation of Torre Guil.

We set off from the car park at 11 am, along the tarmac road leading to the Centre for Visitors and Naturalisation. (Open on Sundays 10am to 2pm). Here we stopped for our “banana break” on the stone seating area next to the man trap. Yes, a trap intended to catch poachers by breaking their legs! I am pleased to say that is no longer in use.

From here the road deteriorates to a forestry road which is badly eroded in places. A long steady climb to the top to the ridge was interrupted with pauses to admire the views over Murcia and beyond. Some of the pauses were really an excuse to catch our breath.
The weather was a little colder, meaning that this was the first walk where a pullover or light jacket was required. It was a little chilly in the shaded area but was very pleasant for walking when the sun eventually broke through.

Almost at the top of the ridge our route took us along a narrow footpath amongst the trees before the views opened out over Corvera, Cartagena and the Mar Menor.
The final climb took us to our goal, the Eagles Nest, and its 360 degree views. We didn’t see any eagles or a nest, though we did see a gold finch a little later on.

Returning from the summit we descended a short distance to a spot where at 1.15pm we had our lunch perched on the most comfortable rocks we could find.

Our descent was via a different route merging only briefly at the visitor’s centre before deviating on another track back to the car park at 2.50pm

The total estimated distance was 12 kilometres. (Janet’s pedometers battery failed at 5km) Height at the summit of the Eagles Nest is 625 metres.

Tim

Route. Callado de las Zorros,Puerto de Garuchal, Los Pareja, Colado Ginovinos and return. Distance 18 kilometres. Height difference 350 metres. 

We met at the Conejo negro (Black Rabbit) restaurant at Callado de Zorros, (Quiet Foxes).

Following the compulsory drink of coffee, at 10.30am, seven of us set off in an easterly direction taking a short climb along the Sierra de los Villares ridge. Before a long gradual descent along the valley side, we paused to compare the view over the flat land in the direction of the Mar Menor to the South and the rugged mountain landscape to the North.

Following our descent into the valley the true path has been blocked for a couple of years by a wire fence. A sign clearly states that this is to protect the bee population. This is not a problem as there is a parallel path nearby. 

Pressing on we eventually reached an abandoned and derelict farm with a domed water storage cistern. The first to look inside caught sight of an 18” snake just before it slithered under a large stone. Some were sorry they missed the snake, others were not!

Moving on to Colado Ginovinos and crossing the Sucina road, we ascended the forestry road up onto the ridge and then made a turn to the left to the plateau summit, where we stopped for lunch. 

There were obvious signs that someone had been trying to attract wild boar. The ground had a layer of straw spread over it. Under this was corn from the cob. A hide had been set up complete with camouflaged screens, folding seats and a patio umbrella. The seats came in useful for those who had not brought along their own seating mat. There were excellent views from this vantage point, as can be seen in the photographs.

Reluctantly we returned the way we had come, opting only to stay in the valley back to Garuchal, past the Hacienda which had suffered some bullet holes during the civil war.
We arrived back at the Black Rabbit at 3.40pm. 

The Adventure Hill Walking groups first outing of 2017 took place on Wednesday 25th January.

The original plan was to drive into the Sierra Espunas. Due to the recent bad weather, it was always on the cards that this plan would be reviewed.

We met at our usual rendezvous. The Repsol services, Murcia pass, on the A30 at 9am. Due to the fact that the Sierres were still heavily covered in snow, we decided that a more low level walk was the safer and more comfortable option.

9.30am saw ten people walking out of the services (height above sea level 376 metres). All were wrapped up warm in coats, hats and gloves against the cold wind. Walking up the valley side of Solana del Gerillar into the Parque el Valle. The steep climb towards the old mine soon raised the body temperature and heart and lungs pumping. The sun was now also doing its work and the hats and gloves were slowly peeled away.  We paused for a few moments to observe the 360 degree views, including the snowcapped Sierras. We paused at the Ceramic map just beyond the mine for the “banana break” and the first groups photo of the day. ( hasl 500 metres ).

Our path took us onto the Murcia city side of the ridge. Stopping briefly to discuss the memorial plaque to a cyclist on the side of a water tank near to the summit, we concluded that it was a wonder there were not more memorials, taking into account the speeds which they descend the gravel forestry roads. A brief detour to a vantage point, gave us the opportunity to identify and point out landmarks. A request to point out the Cathedral and the sanctuaries (religious and cultural), was quickly followed by the location of the shopping centres and Ikea ( priorities).

Lunch was on the Cresta del Gallo, ( hasl 434 metres ) beneath the outcrop which is a popular venue for rock climbers. None of our group took up the challenge to climb up and join the couple who were sat at the top with their feet dangling over the edge.( 629 m ).

We returned along the Gallo ridge to the radio mast and cyclist memorial.  Taking a higher path that before we saw extensive evidence of the recent bad weather. High winds had blow over several hundreds of pine trees. These had either been uprooted or their trunks snapped. We had to make some minor deviations from the marked path to negotiate our way around trees which had fallen across the path.

Arriving back at our cars at 5pm, we were all rather tired. This was not too surprising as we had covered more that 24 kilometers including over 350 metres in ascents.

The next Hill Walking expedition will be on the 19th October. It will be a valley walk and a part of the old donkey trail, which is quite easy, being mostly level on good forestry roads. This would be a good walk for anyone who was thinking about hill walking. The walk will be about 10 kilometres.

We will meet at 10am at the Conejo Negro (Black Rabbit). Take the RM19 (3319) road from San Javier towards Murcia. Turn off at the junction for the F19 to La Tercia. After 4 kilometres at the crossroads turn left onto the F13. ( Be careful the view to and from the right is obstructed and vehicle cannot see you at the junction) The Black rabbit is, another 4 kilometres, at the top of the hill.
Bring a packed lunch

Any newcomers please contact me at the meeting and I will add you to my mailing list.

Tim Clarke

The next walk will be on the 29th June this will be our last walk until September.

Tim Clarke

On Wednesday 25th May, we met in El Algar, before driving to the start of our walk from the railway station in La Union. The drivers were warned that this would involve driving a convoluted route along some narrow one way streets. All agreed that they would never have found the station as a meeting point.
Starting of at 11am we climbed through the mining park and remains of the mine workings which have been restored to give display of the mining processes. Reaching the miners chapel we turned right, to climb to the ridge and miners path which eventually leads to Portman.
From the ridge there were some good views of the industrial landscape. and farming areas of the Murcia region.
Comments were made regarding a previous ADAPT presentation from a visiting speaker regarding the fish pens offshore from Portman, and what effect the mining pollution had caused, or was still causing to fish stocks .
We continued along the ridge past the large wind turbines. One of the turbines was undergoing some repair. We now know that the maintenance crews do not have to climb a ladder to the top.
Each wind turbine has an internal lift, with a ladder as a back up. ( Or for the super energetic ?)
A gradual decent to the old road which is still marked on the maps, It was formerly a road from La Union to Portman, but no longer accessible for public use. This is a bit of a mystery, as it is a wide road in a good state of repair complete with road signs and centre white lines. Far better that many other roads in the area. After a quick bite for lunch, it was a fairly level walk back to the station.
The total walk was 3 hours.

Tim Clarke

Due to unforeseen circumstance the Adventure Hill Walk scheduled for Wednesday 20th April has been postponed.