Itineraries

At the start of the holiday, it’s probably best to locate yourself by taking a walk on the local coast. There's a great hiking loop of around 7km that goes from Los Chopos all the way to the salt pans of Calblanque (Las Salinas) and back along the coastal path. From our front gate, you aim for the col between the two forested hills. Follow the narrow footpath that winds up through the valley behind Los Chopos, After 20–30 mins you reach the top of the col and see the sea. Start descending towards the beaches via a ravine in the pine woods, eventually reaching the coastal path. Most of the beaches there are nudist beaches or secluded coves. Take plenty of drinking water. It's probably also best to have a picnic and relax at the beach for a while.

From All Trails, this is the closest version… It does it in reverse to my version, and it avoids the hike over the col: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/spain/murcia--3/fuente-grande-las-cobaticas-cabezo-negro

LUNCH – If you get back in time for lunch, usually 1-3 pm, I recommend: Restaurante Casa Rufino, which is 5 minutes from the house: Cam. las Jordanas, 9, 30385 Los Belones, Murcia, Spain

DINNER -  on Day One, I suggest you eat local. My personal favorite is the tapas bar that is at the cross-roads when you reach the center of Los Belones. It is called El Tato. But Glori would tell you to go to Garnacha: https://braseria-garnacha.negocio.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

Drive to Cartagena, and park here: Parking Del Puerto, P.º Alfonso XII, 8, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain

I would wander up and down the Calle Major a bit; drink a cappuccino and then Visit the Roman Amphitheatre museum.

https://teatroromano.cartagena.es/index.asp?idioma=2

LUNCH – If you fancy seafood, the best place is Club Nautico El Chalet: Calle Espalmador, S/N, 30394 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain

ALSO – There’s a fascinating museum of Maritime Archaeology; and of the Civil War.

DINNER – You’ll have eaten too much seafood, so you should seek out a salad at La Garnacha in Los Belones.

This dramatic walk follows the top of a rocky escarpment that divides the lowlands of Mar Menor from the higher lands around Murcia. It returns via a gravel track in the pine forests on the northern slopes beneath the Muralla. The area is rich in wildlife, and you have a chance of spotting Eurasian Eagle Owls, Choughs, Natterjack Toads, and various geckos. The longer version of this walk is a 12km loop that starts at a parking lot on the RM-F13, not far from the excellent restaurant Venta el Garruchal. There's also a shorter 6km loop that starts at a car park on the pine-clad slopes beneath the Muralla. The area is about 50 minutes drive from Los Chopos.

Here’s the 10km version, but I suggest you cut it shorter by either driving as far as possible up the trail, or by cutting off the end of the loop… To do that, you basically walk until the cliffs give way to softer slopes, and then you strike downhill until you hit the returning trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/spain/murcia--3/las-murallas-de-king-kong

This is also nearby and also nice: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/spain/murcia--3/puerto-del-garruchal-columbares

LUNCH – We highly recommend Restaurante Venta El Garruchal: Paraje El Collado, 99, 30590 Gea y Truyols, Murcia, Spain

DINNER – We recommend you go here if it’s open: Restaurante La Cala: https://lamangaclub.com/es/restaurantes/restaurante-la-cala-grand-hyatt-la-manga-club-golf-spa

This easy 6km stroll, or more challenging 9km loop, takes you to the Batería de las Cenizas, which was a military gun emplacement built with the purpose of defending the naval port of Cartagena. This was one of 3 batteries protecting the port, the other two being at Cabo Tiñoso (see below) and Cabo Negreta. In the summer, the walk is best done early morning or in the evening, as it can get very hot. The starting point for the easy option is about 6km from Los Chopos, at a car park near the high point of the RM-314 from Los Belones towards Portman.

Alternatively, park near Portman Lighthouse and do the loop from there. Here’s the All Trails map.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/spain/murcia--3/monte-de-las-cenizas

LUNCH -- I recommend lunch afterwards at El Cubano grill near the lighthouse. You will need to book a table as it is popular.

https://el-cubano-portman.negocio.site/

DINNER – I recommend heading to Cabo de Palos and eating at Puerto Fino: https://puertofinocabodepalos.es/