Date Published: 09/01/2024

Access to Sierra Espuna restricted for 6 months to protect birds of prey

Parts of the Regional Park in Alhama de Murcia will remain closed until July during the breeding season of vulnerable species

For the second year running, authorities in Alhama de Murcia have decided to restrict access to certain parts of the Sierra Espuña Regional Park to avoid any interference in the breeding season of certain protected species.

Thus, the Cuevas Luengas and Solana de Pedro López areas will remain closed of to visitors until July 1.

Sierra Espuña is a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) due to its populations of Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo).

Sadly, over the past few years, increased foot traffic through the Cuevas Luengas in particular has contributed to the reproductive failure of several breeding pairs of golden eagles. A similar pattern has been observed in the Pedro López territory, especially since a hiking path was run just 50 metres from the nesting sites.

To promote the reproduction of these vulnerable species, 5 kilometres of hiking trails in Cuevas Luengas, in public mountain number 28, will be closed to visitors. Signs and fencing will clearly mark the prohibited areas, and information boards will point walkers to alternative routes which take in the water path along the Espuña Ravine.

In Solana del Pedro López, access to 2.4 kilometres in public mountain number 29 will be restricted until the end of June. The prohibited route runs from the Cuevas de la Planta area to the Golden Eagle nesting sites along the cliff, but the closure won’t affect the use of the Carrasca-El Pinillo-Malvariche forest trail or the PR-MU-63 (Pedro López Trail).

This restricted area will also be clearly marked by signs.

To ensure a successful 2024 breeding season, park rangers will monitor the prohibited trails over the next six months and the importance of the conservation initiative will be communicated to residents and visitors via email and social networks.

For more information, you can contact the Ricardo Codorníu Visitor Centre or call 0034 968 431 430.

For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Alhama Today

Images: Ayuntamiento de Alhama de Murcia

Address

Tourist Office Alhama de Murcia, Plaza Constitucion. Frente Auditorio, nº 10, 30840, ALHAMA DE MURCIA

Tel: 968 633 512

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Oficina de Turismo de Alhama de Murcia

Alhama de Murcia Tourist Office

Alhama de Murcia Tourist information office is located on the edge of the Plaza de la Constitución, just a few metres away from the underground car park and the Town hall of Alhama de Murcia.

The tourist office offers free guided audiotours in English which take visitors around the historical sites of interest in Alhama. These be loaned at any time, although allow an hour and a half to complete the tour, and when loaning the audio equipment visitors are asked to leave passports or ID cards with the tourist office.

The office also carries a full range of leaflets for the archaeological museum of Los Baños, which is built around the historic spa which gives Alhama its name, and the mountains of Sierra Espuña, which is also an important area within the municipality of Alhama. Areas such as El Berro and Gebas have a number of interesting routes which can be followed and there are several picnic areas and good walking routes within the Sierra Espuña natural park.

The tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year, including Los Mayos, Semana Santa, Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro.