South of Murcia is a vast natural reserve with many hiking options. Just about one hour away from our place in Cabo Roig, this is a ideal destination for a day trip.

A great starting point is Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta where there is an amazing church and a nice café with panoramic views where local couples meet during their lunch break.

The Santuario is on the path of a circular hiking route called El Relojero which means “the watchmaker”.

The church is one of the most important ones around Murcia with unique altar decorations

From the parking behind the church, there are marked routes for El Relojero and other routes of different length and difficulty up to and beyond the hills around Murcia.

The full loop takes between 4 and 5 hours to walk depending on your speed and is of moderate challenge. The track has good walking conditions and is used by local fitness enthusiasts for trail running and mountain biking

One of the shorter but quite challenging routes is up to the magnificent viewpoint called Mirador de las Navetas. The climb up to this viewpoint is not for the faint hearted as the path is very steep and rocky.

As you make your way up the trail, you’ll be surrounded by the vibrant beauty of the Murcian landscapes. The steep incline may test your physical limits, but the stunning views and peaceful surroundings will keep you going. And when you finally reach the top, the breathtaking panoramic views will fill you with wonder.

As stated above, the trip is a bit challenging, but the upside is that you reach the top surprisingly fast. The steepness makes the decline quite challenging, one needs to be careful with loose rocks and sand on the way down