Routes and family walks in Cabo de Palos
Murcia's Costa Cálida is full of towns and natural enclaves to discover. This is precisely the aim of many of the routes that can be taken along the coastline of towns such as Cabo de Palos. An ideal plan for holidays with the youngest members of the family is a family walk around Cabo de Palos.
Cabo de Palos is a town with a great fishing tradition and is currently undergoing important tourist development. This area is very close to Cartagena and is the gateway to La Manga del Mar Menor and areas of high environmental value such as the Calblanque Regional Park.
The beauty and uniqueness of these landscapes is what has made the Cabo de Palos routes one of the best options for all types of travellers, both solo and with the family.
In order to get to know the area on your next getaway, we propose three simple routes that can be done with the little ones to spend a different day of sightseeing. If you are looking for plans with children in La Manga, these three alternatives are a great option.
Cabo de Palos - Calblanque route
The Calblanque Regional Park is one of the great attractions of the Cabo de Palos area. It is therefore not surprising that the route from Cabo de Palos to Calblanque is one of the most attractive for amateur and professional hikers.
This route starts from the port of Cabo de Palos, from where you have to go to the parish of Santa María del Mar, very close to the coast. Once there, it is time to follow the path that is just a few metres from the water until you reach a footbridge that leads to a small cove.
The ascent begins from this cove, reaching an area of white houses that leads to a viewpoint from which you can enjoy incredible views of Cabo de Palos. The path continues ascending to another viewpoint, passing through Cala Marina.
At this point it is time to descend, going along the upper part of Cala de las Flores, one of the many coves that dot the coastline of the Cabo de Palos area. Once in the upper part of this cove, it is necessary to continue descending to enter this cove, from which we advance about a kilometre to reach the next cove, Cala de Descargador.
To continue along the path, it is necessary to cross Descargador Cove until reaching the stairs that lead to the street. This street is the one that will allow you to link up with the path that continues along the coast and leads to Punta de los Saleros, an ideal place for snorkelling.
This is the ideal moment to take a break, as the route is about to end. As with any other route, whether alone or with children, it is highly recommended to always carry water and snacks for the route.
Crossing Punta de los Saleros you reach Cala Reona. This is one of the most popular coves and is also the entrance to the Calblanque Regional Park. This is the starting point for the trails that run through the park, which can be consulted on the numerous information signs at this point.
A simple and comfortable route for the whole family to enjoy nature as well as the waters of the Costa Cálida. It lasts about two and a half hours and covers about 9 kilometres from the start, but you can really shorten or lengthen it as much as you like.
Calblanque Geominera Trail
The Calblanque Regional Park concentrates a large part of the natural wealth of the Cabo de Palos area. The geomining path of the Calblanque Regional Park is the ideal route to get to know this park with the family, enjoy spectacular views and get to know the coastline. This excursion will allow you to get to know one of the best beaches of the Spanish Mediterranean and enjoy an unforgettable swim in Calblanque. It will be the finishing touch to a beautiful walk.
The origin of this trail is to be found in the area's geomining activity and it goes from Cala Reona, the eastern limit of the park, to the Salinas de Rassall salt flats.
The route starts at Cala Reona, an area with ridges and furrows that form a very different landscape from the long, clear sandy beaches of the region. From Cala Reona you enter the park in the direction of the next stop, Punta Loba.
At Punta Loba you can clearly see the traces of mining activity in the area, such as a large open gallery which, as a precaution for walkers and in order to prevent falls, is currently marked out.
Continuing the route from Punta Loba you reach the Cerro del Atalayón. This hill played an important role in the region's mining past, as a large quantity of silver, iron and lead was found here.
Punta Barriga and Cala de los Déntoles are the next stops on the route, where the traces of tectonic activity and the action of the sea are present in the orography of the terrain.
From the Cala de los Déntoles cove we reach the Punta Negra viewpoint. At this viewpoint you can find the famous fossil dunes of Calblanque, petrified with the passage of time. After crossing the dunes you reach Cala Magre, with a landscape of reddish tones due to the presence of iron oxide.
The last point before reaching the salt flats is Punta Blanca, the place that gives its name to Calblanque due to the whitish colour of the fossil dunes found there, which are a Geomorphological Reserve of the Regional Park. In addition, it is also possible to observe a landscape of mobile dunes where you can feel as if you were in the desert.
The Rassall salt flats are the last point on this route. These salt flats were formerly two natural lagoons that accumulated the rain from the wadis of the river. The salt pans were exploited at the beginning of the 20th century, but since 2008 they have been recovered for their environmental and ecological value. A perfect end to the route to take a break and refresh yourself while observing the unique fauna of the area.
Another option to finish off the day and after a more than recommendable dip in the waters of Calblanque, takes us to the restaurant La Cala. This privileged place is located on the top of a cliff in La Cala del Barco, just a few minutes from the end of our route, where it offers traditional Murcian food with the best sea flavour. One of the most romantic places for any anniversary or celebration - put it in the diary!
The route is about 4 km (one way) and the duration of this is 1 hour and 15 minutes so it is very affordable to do as a couple or family.
Cabo de Palos Walk
If the idea is to spend a more relaxed time without leaving Cabo de Palos it is also possible. This walk around Cabo de Palos is perfect for the little ones to get to know this fishing village, one of the most attractive in the area.
The route starts at Levante Beach, whose promenade leads to the lighthouse. A route that allows you to see the coast and the accesses to the beach, in case the temperature along the way invites you to take a dip.
At the end of the promenade you descend to Cala La Galera, a fairly sheltered and calm cove, ideal for bathing and an area that must be crossed to reach the next cove on the Cabo de Palos promenade, Cala de las Escalerillas.
Each of the coves along the promenade that leads to the Cabo de Palos lighthouse has its own particular charm, and it is common to see them full of life on good weather days. After the Cala de las Escalerillas cove we reach the Cala Túnez cove, one of the few sandy coves in the Cabo de Palos area.
At this point is the access to the lighthouse, an ascent that can be made by the stairs that can be found right at the entrance and that lead to the base of the lighthouse, or by the ramp that is found a little further on.
At the end of this ascent is the destination of the walk, the Cabo de Palos lighthouse, a building 80 metres above sea level built in 1862. The ideal place to appreciate some of the best views of the coast, Cabo de Palos and its coves on one side, the immense Mediterranean Sea and the Islas Hormigas, and the coast of La Manga del Mar Menor.
After the descent from the lighthouse the path continues along the coast, following the signs along the way. This stretch is full of small houses facing the coast and with access to the coves along the way, such as Cala Roja or Cala de los Muertos.
Past these coves you can see the breakwater of the port and its promenade. This is the end of the route and the opportunity to go into one of the bars and restaurants found in the port area to try the traditional caldero or some fresh fish in such emblematic places as the Miramar.
Although the route is not too long (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes) we recommend that you wear comfortable shoes, bring a towel and a lot of desire to enjoy nature are the essential items to enjoy these family routes through Cabo de Palos and Calblanque.