The Murcia region is a true paradise for those seeking an active holiday, with an incredible diversity of trails, routes, ravines and natural parks, complemented by a network of holiday accommodation options either on the coast or in the countryside.
During the cooler months, the region maintains temperatures that allow for outdoor activities such as mountain biking, dry canyoning and rock climbing. During the summer season, the possibilities are endless, with rafting, paragliding and bungee-jumping.
Canyoning
The gorge between Cieza and Calasparra (Almadenes Canyon) covers an area of 116 hectares and a length of 11 kilometres in the upper part of the Segura River, ideal for active tourism. The canyon that has been formed over millions of years offers a landscape of great beauty, with vertical walls over 100 metres high, attracting many nature and archaeology lovers.
Canyoning this ravine is spectacular, with several rappels, jumps and descents, while you enjoy scenic views along the way.
Buitre Aventuras is one of the certified companies that can guide you safely when you descend into this beautiful canyon. Prices start at €40 per person.
Where: Meeting point in Cieza
Information and Reservations: Buitre Aventuras
Contact: Tel. +34 675 370 736
Dry Canyoning
The magnificent Sierra Espuña Nature Park has a rich history that dates to 40,000 BCE (BC). The range encompasses thick forests, arid steppes and high mountain areas up to 1,500 metres that provide great opportunities for active tourism such as hiking, paragliding, cycling and climbing.
Barranco Salto del Ciervo, situated in the north-west part of the park, offers the possibility to experience dry canyoning during most of the year. To descend this canyon you will be walking and abseiling up to 25 metres, jumping and climbing the “via ferrata” (“iron path”) section on the route.
Charate is one of the certified companies that can guide you safely along this descent, which is classified as difficult. Prices start at €30 per person.
Information and Reservations: Nattule
Where: Meeting point in Molino de Segura
Rafting
Calasparra, approximately 50 minutes north-west of Murcia, is the place to visit for rafting, with four rivers crossing its territory. It is an area of great ecological value highlighted by inaccessible ravines, forests, exuberant vegetation, and a variety of wildlife such as freshwater turtles, beavers, kingfishers and golden eagles. You will also see prehistoric and Roman sites spread throughout the canyon and on the riverbanks.
Qalat Naturaleza y Aventura organises routes in rafts and kayaks for all levels and ages. The most challenging and longest descent is 18 kilometres long, with a stop along the way to visit a cave with prehistoric paintings and time for a refreshing dip in the river.
This route takes approximately four hours and prices start around €20 per person.
Information and Reservations: Qalat
Contact: Tel. +34 968 723 000
Where: Calasparra
Mountain Biking
Mazarrón Tours
Among many cycling routes in Murcia, you will find two International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) trails along the Murcian coast in Mazarrón, south of Cartagena. They offer great slopes and exciting paths that run parallel to the spectacular coastline. One is the Calas Route, nearly 50 kilometres long; and the other, Route of the Partridge, slightly shorter at 45 kilometres. Both have a mountain bike centre and are classified as “medium”.
Information: Visita Mazarrón
Espubike Tour
For mountain bike enthusiasts who like a real challenge, the 146-kilometre Espubike Tour through Sierra Espuña Nature Park comprises four sections. It is possible to follow just one of the sections, but if you want to receive the Espubike Challenge jersey you need to register and get a passport that will be stamped at each of the checkpoints. The whole tour includes 4,300 metres of climbing, so for this tour you need stamina.
The organisation rents out professional bikes with or without GPS, runs a technical service, and can even bring your luggage to your next accommodation along the route if required. The route provides a network of accommodation options that you can book for your trip. The registration price is €40.
Information and Reservations: Espubike
Contact: Tel.+34 649 448 690
Where: Start and arrival at the campsite in El Berro
Via Ferrata
For the Experienced…
Barranco del Ciervo near Casas Nuevas in the north-west of Sierra Espuña is equipped with a via ferrata of medium-high difficulty for the more adventurous tourists. The path includes two zip-lines (“tirolinas“) over the ravine, and a rappel 30 metres down along the cliffs that definitely will raise the adrenaline levels of participants.
Certified professionals will accompany you at all times to secure your safety. This route takes four to five hours and prices start at €40 per person.
Information and Reservations: Buitre Aventuras via Ferrata
Contact: Tel. +34 675 370 736
Where: Casas Nuevas
Intermediate Level
For the not-so-experienced there is the opportunity to learn to climb accompanied by licensed instructors in Alumbres, five kilometres north of Cartagena and nearer the coast. This easy via ferrata is named after the mountaintop where it is located, Cabezo de la Porpuz, at a height of 306 metres. From the top, you will be able to enjoy spectacular views over the coastline to La Manga and Cartagena.
This route takes approximately four hours and prices start at €25 per person.
Information and Reservations: Yumping
Contact: Tel.+34 917 907 909
Where: near Alumbres
Bungee Jumping
If you are looking for a quick adrenaline rush, bungee jumping is probably the experience you are looking for. There is a bridge near Totana, just under Sierra Espuña, where you can make a jump of 40 metres into the void.
Professional instructors will make sure you are geared up safely: the only thing you have to do is jump. They use a pendulum system that does not pull, so it is safer than a jump with an elastic cord. The price for two jumps is €49 per person.
Where: Totana
Information and Reservations: Yumping
Contact: Tel. +34 917 907 909
Paragliding
Tandem paragliding is an amazing experience for adventure and adrenaline lovers. If you have ever wanted to fly like a bird, this is a fun, relaxing and safe way to do it. Tandem flights with English-speaking expert instructors are offered near Murcia or Lorca, depending on the weather conditions.
There is the possibility to choose between an introductory flight of 20 minutes, an acrobatic paragliding flight of 30 minutes for extreme sports lovers, or a full-hour landscape flight. Prices are, respectively, €70, €100 or €140 per person. It is recommended to book one or two days in advance.
Where: Meeting point needs to be arranged by booking
Information and Reservations: Sunbonoo
Contact: Tel. +34 871 575 674
