LA CRUZ DE LA MUELA
Many times I have heard people ask whether they can walk in the Spanish mountains and if so where? Well the answer is yes you can walk in the mountains and here is one suggestion for a good walk which most fit people should be able to attempt. It is a 13 km. circular route and takes you to the top of a 'mountain' around 300 mts, overlooking Orihuela and the Vega Baja.
There are many routes up and down this particular mountain so if you want to return to where you parked the car don't be tempted to follow other people who might well be on a different route!
It starts in an Urbanisation ' Monte Pinar, just outside Orihuela on the Benferri Road. I have given a Google map link below. I suggest you park the car in Calle Orense and then walk to the end of the road and you will see the start of the path up through the lemon groves ' follow the yellow and white horizontal way markers.
After the lemon groves you start a climb up along a twisty zig zag path until you reach the first view point. Then, after a rest, you walk along the ledge path with a gentle ascent with many great views over Orihuela and the surrounding villages.
Carry on walking and you will find the next good place for a stop with a little terrace and a wall again giving you some great views. After another few kms. you will see the path up the Cruz (cross) there used to be a good wooden path direction marker pole, which now seems to have completely disappeared so do not miss the path up the cross! From this viewpoint you get a virtual 360 degree view of the area. After your picnic and photo session make your way down and if you do not want to complete the circuit you can retrace your steps back to the start point. To complete the route carry on through the pine forest along a good path known as the Paso de Gato. After the trees end you will see the views down to the urbanisation and the end of the route but there is a few more kilometres to enjoy before the descent.
The next section involves a little bit of scrambling and climbing over some boulders but you will see the white and yellow markers, but by this point you will have got a sense of the direction you need to be going in.
Carry on over a short traverse and then you are back on the path and on your way down. Take it easy going down - the path is another zig zag around the contours but the little rocks are loose under foot down into the canyon or barranca. When you reach virtually back down to ground level you need to cross over to the other side, so look out for the markers. Carry on until you reach the water storage reservoirs and turn right. Now you will see the Santuro Del Pilar and you are nearly back at the start point. Unfortunately what used to be a simple walk across the building site has been complicated by the builders wire fence. You have two options: skirt around the fence where it starts, opposite a huge plantation of cactus (don't be tempted by the prickly pears!) or to carry on walking down and along the road. If you choose the road option take great care. Cutting across the building site, which at time of writing was not being worked, you can exit the other side and return to Calle Orense.
This is a good walk with a little bit of climbing over rocks and takes around 4 hours depending on how long you like to stop to look and eat your picnic. Take plenty of water with you and either walking boots or good trainers are recommended.
This is one of my favourite walks and many victims, sorry friends, have enjoyed joining in with my expeditions. If you have a hand held walking GPS, I can send you the full waypoints.
Information:
(Search: Spain, Benferri)
More photos:
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