La Mena – Macenas Trail PR – A96
ITINERARY DETAILS
Starting Point: A few meters from the beginning of the Paseo Marítimo, near Playa Venta del Bancal—Cortijo del Cura.
End Point: Near Playa del Sombrerico.
Distance: 10 km, circular route.
Estimated Duration: Approximately 3.0 hours.
Elevation Gain: Maximum of 150 meters above sea level.
Elevation Loss: Maximum of 136 meters.
Difficulty Level: Moderate to low.
OROGRAPHY:
The trail runs parallel to the sea, following a narrow and rocky path carved into a landscape of great geological diversity. It features gentle ascents and descents and offers the opportunity to observe this section of the Almerían coastline, with viewpoints that highlight the scenic beauty of this walking route.
Highlights:
The circular trail includes self-guided interpretive sections:
- “Mining Past”: This now tranquil path saw significant activity in the 19th century due to the comings and goings of miners, transporters, and muleteers during the five intense years of iron extraction at the Mina Mena Macenas.
- “Watchtower Past”:
- Macenas Castle: A military fortification built in the 18th century for coastal surveillance.
- Torre del Pirulico or del Peñón: Constructed during the Nasrid period (13th–15th centuries), it formed part of the defensive system along the Mediterranean coast.
Flora:
Notable for its environmental and landscape richness and beauty. The shrubland includes chamomile, rosemary, pennyroyal, lemon verbena, and Limonium Estevei (an endemic species currently endangered).
Fauna:
- Birds: Short-toed snake eagles, kestrels, cormorants, herons, vultures, red-legged partridges.
- Reptiles: Spur-thighed tortoise, lizards, snakes.
- Mammals: Wild boars, foxes.
The tour begins at the end of Mojácar´s promenade, about seven metres above sea level, on the right side of the Alfaixwalkway entrance, next to the Indalo Hotel. Going along the Mojácar-Carboneras road, which winds along the sea cliffs of Sierra Cabrera, a former road link between the municipality and Carboneras, used in the past to transport equipment and goods by pack animals. It even came to be used by ancient gas cars from the 40s in the last century.
The trail runs through a narrow and rocky path carved into an area of great geological diversity with gentle ups and downs, which offers the opportunity to observe this part of the Almería coastline, with views showing us of the beauty of the Pedestrian Route. From the heights of the path and due to the transparency of the sea, we can see the seabed and some seabirds such as gulls and cormorants, which use nearby islands. Further on there is a singular crag known by locals as the “Stone of the Nazarene”. Above it, you can see the remains of mining activities from early last century, such us the old landing platfoms, hoppers and mine entrances, which provide shelter for several species of bats and predatory birds, such as kestrels and hawks.
Then, we come to Macenas Castle, a military construction built in the 18th century to watch over the coast, and to the south, a dirt road along the coast from the castle, consisting of large sheets of fossil sand agglomerates.
Following that path, we arrive at the Torre del Pirulico, an ancient coastal watchtower. Adjacent to it stands a natural stone arch, together forming a site of remarkable uniqueness and beauty. From this point, we ascend along a trail leading to the viewpoints—the highest point of the route—before descending once more toward the castle via a different path. From there, the return journey retraces the steps previously taken.
Topoguide trail La Mena – Macenas: Front cover and back cover.
