Nature
Cabo de Gata Natural Park
A natural paradise unparalleled just 20 kilometres from the capital. A space with endless ecological values are discovered as the greatest natural treasure of the province of Almeria – ideal for tourists to visit.
Located along the municipalities of Almeria, Nijar and the southeastern tip of Carboneras, it is a large terrestrial space and holds the greatest ecological relevance for the whole Western Mediterranean area of Europe.
In 1987, UNESCO cataloged it as a Biosphere Reserve and is undoubtedly one of the most scenic environments of the entire Spanish coast.
In the parts that belong to the municipality of Almeria it is worth highlighting some other points of interest including Torregarcía, Las Amoladeras, the Tower of San Miguel and Las Salinas.
Torregarcía: coastal lookout tower dating back to the sixteenth century and was restored in the eighteenth century. In the place the lookout Andres de Jaen found, on 21 December 1502, the image of the Patroness of Almeria, La Virgen del Mar. In the vicinity is a factory of Roman salted fish and the hermitage of Torregarcía the famous municipal architect Guillermo Langle.
The Visitor Centre “The Amoladeras”, with all kinds of educational and visual information about the Park.
Address: Carretera Al-3115 (Retamar-Pujaire), km. 7, 41007.
Phone: 950 160 435
Hours:
Winter from Friday to Sunday (10h-14h); Spring Thursday to Sunday (10h-14h); Summer from Tuesday to Sunday (10h-14h and 18h-20h30); Autumn from Thursday to Sunday (10h-14h). In addition to weekends and holidays.
Tower of San Miguel (eighteenth century) on the beach of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata.
Las Salinas: with the great beauty of natural Albufera and birds that can be seen at the Ornithological Observatory. At the site you can admire the silhouette of the slender tower of the Church of Las Salinas, 1907, restoring the environment in a unique setting. Continuing along the same road and leaving the Fabriquilla right, climb the lighthouse of Cabo de Gata, where you can admire the unique environment of the Reef of the Sirens.
Trails to discover the Cabo de Gata Natural Park
1.- Río Alías
Length: 5.200m
Dificultad baja
Duration: 2h aprox.
2.- Mesa Roldán
Length: 1.900m
Low difficulty
Duration: 1h aprox.
3.-Lucainena
Length: 8.300m
Medium difficulty
Duration: 3h aprox.
4.-Aguamarga
Length: 11.700m
Medium difficulty
Duration: 4:30h aprox.
5.- La Molata
Length: 2.500m
Low difficulty
Duration: 1:30h aprox.
6.- Cortijo del Fraile
Length: 7.700m
Medium difficulty
Duration: 3h aprox.
7.- Requena
Length: 6.600m
Medium difficulty
Duration: 3h aprox.
8.- Cerro del Cinto
Length: 4.600m
Medium difficulty
Duration: 5h aprox.
9.- Las Amoladeras
Length: 5.300m
Low difficulty
Duration: 3h aprox.
10.-Majada Redonda
Length: 2.600m
Low difficulty
Duration: 1:30h aprox.
11.-Isleta del Moro
Length: 1.400m
Low difficulty
Duration: 45min aprox.
12.- Escullos
Length: 5.000m
Low difficulty
Duration: 2:30h aprox.
13.- Loma Pelada
Length: 6.300m
Low difficulty
Duration: 3:30h aprox.
14.- El Pocico
Length: 6.300m
Low difficulty
Duration: 3h aprox.
15.- Los Genoveses
Length: 2.300m
Low difficulty
Duration: 1:30h aprox.
16.- Vela Blanca
Length: 3.400m
Low difficulty
Duration: 2h aprox.
Saharan Fauna Rescue Park
Reserve with endangered species, gazelles (dorca lady and cuvier) and saharan arrui. Has an Arab garden, recently renovated.
Address:Street General Segura,1. 04001 Almería.
Phone: 950 281 045.
Alboran Island
About 40 nautical miles from the coast of Almeria is the unknown island of Alboran. It is less than a kilometre long with a flat terrain and swept almost continuously westerly winds or a levante wind.
Muslims christened this as “Navel of the Sea” and is believed to be the Moor pirate name almeriense Al-Borani used to take refuge on the island, where legend says he hid his treasures. On its surface are some botanical gems including the rare Audouin’s Gull. In its funds, the richness of the marine world. Today the island is considered as marine and fishing reserve.