Family walks in the Sierra Espuña, the Route of the Dinosaur

La Senda del Dinosaurio high in the mountains behind Alhama de Murcia

1.5 - 2km in length, perfect for a young family looking for a gentle stroll through the woods.

This is a charming walking route for both adults and children in the beuatiful setting of the mountains and pine-clad slopes of Sierra Espuña, easily accessible from the towns of Totana and Alhama de Murcia. There are plenty of nearby picnic spots as well as restaurants close by, making it an easy-going day out and the most popular of the many set routes in the regional park of Sierra Espuña. 

The Sierra Espuña belongs to the Cordillera Bética range and covers an area of around 25,000 hectares including over 17,000 designated as a regional park. Following a huge reforestation program in the late 19th century it was declared an area of cultural interest 1931, and became a Regional Park in 1992.

It is also classified as a ZEPA birdlife protection zone, and is home to an impressive array of 123 bird species, including numerous birds of prey, as well as around 1,000 different species of flora of which 36 are protected, 38 mammals and a huge variety of insects, amphibians and reptiles.

This particular walk is fairly short at around 1.5 kilometres and mainly runs through the forest, breaking into the open in just a few places, so it is ideal for hot summer days when the shade of a pine forest is welcome relief from the sun.

The route starts at the recreational area of La Perdiz, heading out of the back of the car park and is clearly signposted.

En route there is an old shaft which was part of an irrigation control system for the crops planted on the terraces further down the hill, and at the recreational area there is a natural fountain which can be used to fill up water botles. 

The walk then leads to a rope bridge crossing over a water channel (a favourite photo opportunity for visitors), and its name is due to a rock formation in the waterway which looks suspiciously like a dinosaur's footprint. Although 65-million-year-old dinosaur bones have been discovered in the north of the Region of Murcia no further remains have been found in the rest of the Region!

Shortly after the rope bridge the route turns back on itself and heads back to the car park, although more serious walkers can continue left along the forest track which ends 8 kilometres away in a different car park. The Ruta del Dinosaurio usually takes 40 minutes to an hour to complete at a leisurely pace, depending on how slowly you amble along!

The full route is called the Valle del Leíva - Collado Mangueta (PR-MU- 57): 

Start: recreational area of La Perdíz, Finish: car park of Collado Mangueta.

Length (one-way) 8km, duration 3 hours. 

Maps are available from the Ricardo Codorníu visitors centre. 

To reach the recreational area of La Perdiz from Alhama de Murcia take the C- road from the main high street of the town, past the Town Hall and up along a twisty, climbing road up into Sierra Espuña.

6.8 km from Alhama a valley appears on the left-hand side, planted with crops and vines, then just past this point the road turns sharp left and the view on the right hand side stretches out across the "badlands" of the Barrancos de Gebas, a spectacular dry, barren landscape. Immediately after this corner take a left turn, signposted El Berro 7.5km.

For the next 5km the road continues to climb, winding up through the pine trees, the air cooling as the car climbs. At the next junction the signs say El Berro to the right, 2.5km and then the "A.R. La Perdiz" is to on the left. Follow the signs to an area with a reddish-coloured restaurant and ample parking.

There are also a large number of picnic benches and tables scattered amongst the trees at this recreation point.

The restaurant serves a variety of meals, but in general reservations are a must for Sunday lunch!

NB. Although the Ruta del Dinosaurio is billed as a walk, these forest tracks are extremely popular with mountain bikers and recreational cyclists. The forestry tracks roads which run out from the back of the recreational area are wide enough to accommodate firefighting vehicles, making this a wonderful place to head for with the bike in the boot of the car!

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