Green routes along Orihuela’s municipality

Orihuela’s municipality has a wealth of varied and abundant nature spaces. These can be reached via livestock routes, short pathways or cycle tourist routes designed by Orihuela City Council as well as other entities, in order to find out more about both their environmental and cultural values.

El Agudo Cuerda de la Murada

A natural space located between the localities of Barbarroja and La Murada, its characteristic rough topography is crossed by water streams and plenty of ravines. In a shady area we can find a rather developed pine wood with an abundance of forest dwelling birds. It may be accessed via the local road between La Murada and Los Vives. There are several pathways available like the livestock route of Camino el Agudo, the lane Senda de los Serranos or the path between the old Rubiras hamlet and Barbarroja.

Soto del Molino de la Ciudad

It is located in the middle of a farming square, in the town of the same name. It is formed by an old abandoned meander which has been reforested with different species such as African tamarisks, poplars and pine trees. Some areas still preserve large wet areas with dense reed beds and rushes attracting a wide population of birds and fauna. One of the highlights is the hydraulic mill and press, a true heritage attraction, which supports an ashlar bridge. Access may be gained via the road “Camino de En Medio” or via the way serving the Tajo-Segura diversion.

La Pedrera reservoir

A man-made wet area located near the locality of Torremendo, its banks and adjoining water courses are populated by typical wet area species such as the African tamarisk, cane, rush and Aeonium arboreum, providing the right nesting conditions for several waterfowls. It may be reached via the roads A-310, A-311, A-332, A-333, A-352 and the short pathway V-5.

Sierra Escalona

A wide area very near the sea with patches of low height relief, it is located between the municipalities of Orihuela, San Miguel de Salinas and El Pilar de la Horadada. It preserves a highly important forest crop with denser ravines and shady areas which mainly consist of Aleppo pines, strawberry trees, kermes oaks, mastics, and Mediterranean fan palms. Among its fauna are mainly birds of prey and some interesting mammals such as the common genet or wild cat. It may be accessed via the roads AV-3011, AV-3501 and A-354 and explored on bicycle routes. It can also be toured on foot through the Sierra Escalona lane, an old livestock road that can be reached in Puerto de Rebate.

Palm Grove

Located in the north east corner of the city, near Saint Anton quarter, it lies on an area surrounded by the Orihuela range and Saint Michael hill. With an approximately semi-circular shape, it is an interesting example of an original Arabic intensive irrigation agriculture system where the date palm trees are located on the sides of the terraces, roads and irrigation channels. It may be reached via a rambling route through the Oriolet pass or by walking or crossing between palm tree gardens.