Cabo de
Guide
Gata
Natural
Park
Cabo de Gata - Nijar - Almeria - Spain
Parque
Natural
Cabo
de
Gata extends
approximately
five
hundred square kilometres and
includes one hundred and twenty
square kilometres of the sea as a
marine reserve. An area of special
protection, the park is home to a
wealth of wildlife and many rare
plants that are native to the region.
The demand for rural tourism and destinations offering ecological
values has increased in recent years. The Natural Park of the Cabo de
Gata is such a place, in an away from it all location ideal for walking,
cycling, horse riding, mountain biking and 4X4 excursions, the scenery
is
spectacular
and
there are
numerous places of interest and
traditional villages to be explored.
For bird watching, the protected
wet lands provide a fantastic array
of
species
to
be
sighted.
Underwater, the coral reefs and
colourful marine life invite divers
and snorkellers while above the
water activities change to sailing,
windsurfing and kitesurfing, sea
kayak and fishing. The beaches of
the natural park are some of the most stunning in Spain, they offer a
mix of easily accessible family beaches to out of the way idyllic
hideaways.
Choose Cabo de Gata
for natural parks in
Spain
An unspoilt destination for outdoor
activities in an area of natural beauty
rich in culture and local history.
EXPLORING - Cabo de Gata
From volcanic beginnings, the landscapes of the natural park have
evolved into a region of hills and mountains, gorges, ravines, and arid
plains, with a dramatic rocky coastline hiding remote and unspoilt
beaches and coves. The main roads through the park offer access to
destination for rural holidays.
the villages of the park, both coastal
and inland, however it must be noted
that many rural areas and several
beaches and coves can only be reached
by tracks and sometimes only on foot.
The park provides many signposted
walking trails from which to appreciate
the
best
of
the
landscapes.
Cabo de Gata offers the visitor
countless options for day trips and
excursions and provides a first class
Climate
A place to enjoy outdoor life, Cabo de Gata receives more than three
thousand hours of sun each year with very little rain fall and has an
average year round temperature of about twenty degrees, though July
and August can see temperature above forty degrees.
Coastline
The park was established in 1987,
it has one of the best preserved
coastlines
in
Europe
with
management and surveillance in
place to ensure protection and
proper use of the resources. The
shoreline was formed over millions
of years, created through periods
of volcanic activity and shaped over
time by the actions of the wind and
the sea.
The coastline of Los Escullos, a raised plateau of fossilised dune
formations, offers a prime example of the effects that the external
forces of nature can produce, erosion
has occurred here over an extensive
time
frame
resulting
in
the
extraordinary rock features that can
be seen today at the waters edge. It is
possible to walk across these rocks,
but take great care, especially at the
shoreline.
Los Escullos is situated between the
fishing villages of Isleta del Moro and
San Jose and can be reached from the
ALP-826, it is also home to the the
Castillo San Felipe, a 17th century
castle built to protect the region from invading Barbary pirates.
PLACES TO VISIT - Cabo de Gata
Recommended places to visit in the Cabo de Gata are the Miradors of
Cabo de Gata, special places of observation located in different areas of
the natural park, nearly all accessible by road, they tend to be situated
in an elevated position offering supreme vistas of characteristic park
landscapes and seascapes.


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
mirador - viewing spot
punta - tip, point
torre - watchtower
faro - lighthouse
Mirador
de
los
Muertos
A vantage point above one of the
largest beaches of the natural park,
Playa de los Muertos, the magnificent
views are of the beautiful white beach,
the clear aquamarine sea, and the
dramatic coastal cliffs, inland there are
views towards the Sierra Cabrera. The
mirador is situated along the ALP-712
road from Carboneras heading towards
Agua Amarga.
Mesa
Roldan
Mesa
means
table
in
Spanish,
appropriate
for
this
flat
topped
mountain which lies along the coastline
just south of Carboneras. The horizontal
peak is home to the 18th century
watchtower of Torre Vigia de Mesa
Roldan and a lighthouse. The Mesa
Roldan signposted walking trail provides
access to the top of the plateau from
where there are superb view of the
cliffs, the fishing village of Agua
Amarga, and the coves of Cala de
Enmedio and Cala del Plomo. In October 2015 Mesa Roldan was the
filming location for a scene in the internationally popular American
fantasy drama Game of Thrones.
Torre
Vigia
de
los
Lobos
Situated above Punta Polacra, the 18th
century Torre Vigia watchtower was
adapted as a lighthouse in 1991 and is
said to be the highest lighthouse in Spain,
making an ideal spot to enjoy the
panoramic views of the coastline. It is
reached from the ALP-826 just before the
village of Rodalquilar, if heading in a
southerly direction, and by taking the left
turn at the sign for Torre de los Lobos,
Cala Carnaje and Punto de Observacion.
Mirador
de
la
Amitista
A special viewing point located along the
ALP-826 after leaving the valley of
Rodalquiler heading south, access is
directly off the main coast road. A
beautiful spot with far reaching outlooks
which include the two highest peaks of
the park.
Mirador
de
la
Isleta
del
Moro
This mirador, in the small fishing
village of Isleta del Moro, offers
amazing views of the southern aspects
of the coastline towards Escullos,
including the bays between the two
areas and the peaks of Los Frailes. The
mirador is located and signposted from
the village which can be reached along
the ALP-826.
Torre
de
Vela
Blanca
This 18th century watchtower is situated on the highest coastal outlook
point on the southern tip of the cape, and can only be reached on foot.
Access from the south can be achieved from the ALP-822 from San
Miguel de Cabo de Gata heading towards the lighthouse and taking the
left hand turning singposted for Playa Coralette after the climb around
the cliffs, or alternatively via the Vela Blanca signposted walking trail
which begins along the eastern coastline.
Mirador
de
la
Sirenas
Situated beside the lighthouse at the
southern most point of the Cabo de Gata.
This popular viewing spot offers the most
striking views out over the cliffs and down
to the rock formations known as Arrecife de
las Sirenas - Sirenas Reef. These volcanic
rocks are not only an impressive sight but
are a destination for kayak, canoe and
snorkelling trips.
Mirador
de
Las
Amoladeras
Located in the Rambla de las Amoladeras and included in the itinerary
on the signposted nature walk that begins at the Amoladeras visitors
centre, this special viewing spot allows observation of the parks
wildlife and an insight into the interesting plant species of the Cabo de
Gata, including the parks finest examples of jujube groves.
Mountains



cerro - hill
caldera -crater
sierra - mountain range
The Cabo de Gata mountain range, Sierra de Cabo de Gata, is one of the
most unusual volcanic complexes in Europe and the largest volcanic
feature in South Eastern Spain. It was initially created from a collision
between African and European plates, and is the small visible part of a
huge magmatic area that occupies much of the bed of the Alboran sea,
where eruptions in the mountain range go back roughly six to sixteen
million years. Geological history has left behind an intense landscape
that
really
has
to
be
seen
to
be
fully appreciated.
The highest volcanic peak is Cerro del Fraile at 493m above sea level,
just south and inland of Los Escullos. La Caldera de Majada Redonda, a
volcanic crater, is located close to the small, mostly uninhabited, town
of Prescillas Bajas, it is possible to
walk to the inside of the volcanic
crater and there is a signposted
walking trail that includes this
experience.
The mountainous countryside can be
explored via designated tracks ideal
for nature walking, hiking, and
mountain biking. The signposted trails
of the park are detailed at the
Amoladeras Visitors Centre.
HISTORY
&
CULTURE
-
Cabo
de
Gata
Culture and local history is well represented throughout the natural
park, adding an extra dimension to this unequalled destination.



castillo - castle
torre - watchtower
molino - windmill



aljibe - water cistern
pozo - well
noria - waterwheel
The history of this region dates back as
early as Neolithic times and over the
centuries that followed the region has
been home to many different cultures,
each of which has left it mark on the
territory. Remnants from the Roman
epoch, a people who engaged in the full
diversity of livelihoods that the area
had
to
offer
including
livestock
breeding, farming, fishing and mining,
still endure. The Muslims followed the
Romans and continued to improve agricultural techniques developing
irrigation systems and leaving behind the remains of their waterwheels
along with the defence castles that were built to protect their lands
against invading armies. After the Christian conquest many
watchtowers were raised in strategic positions along the coastline, to
offer protection against attacks from the pirates of North Africa.
Castles
and
Watchtowers
Many examples of castles and watchtowers can still be seen
throughout the park, they include the Torre Garcia watchtower on the
southern coast and the Castillo San Ramon castle located besides the
Playazo beach in Rodalquilar valley.
Windmills
The old windmills, scattered through the
Cabo de Gata countryside, were of extreme
importance to local inhabitants, they offer a
reminder of the lifestyles of the villagers
whose diets were based largely on cereals.
Water
Cisterns
Derived from Roman technology, these
water storage tanks played an important
role in the lives of the locals, and were
used for both domestic purposes and
farming. The shortage of water in the
area served to make them an essential part of every day living, there
are numerous examples to be seen throughout the region.
Wells
and
WaterWheels
Linked to the water related culture of
the region, the waterwheels were
constructed from local resources and
utilised mules or donkeys as the labour
source for raising the water from the
wells. The last working well to use this
wheel method was Noria del Pozo de los
Frailes, halted in 1983, it has now been
restored
providing
an
excellent
historical example.
Pozo de los Frailes
A very pretty and traditional village, proud of its heritage, with its
aforementioned water well and a windmill. It is located on the ALP-202
on the direct route to San Jose, many travellers make a worthwhile
stop here before continuing down to San Jose fishing village.
Fernan Perez
A centrally located village, in the foothills of La Serrata, located along
the ALP-208 between Camperhermoso and Las Negras, with a right
hand turning towards Albaricoques. The landscape offers typical
historical remains, an old windmill, and a crumbling 20th century
Aqueduct.
GOLD MINING - Rodalquilar
Mining culture - mineral resources
The region was once affluent in numerous sources of rock minerals, the
accumulation of which took place during the volcanic formation of the
area. Mined since ancient times, evidence of primitive mining tools
have been discovered at Barronel and Rodalquilar and over the years
copper, alum, lead, zinc, silver and gold have all been removed from
the area, and including, more recently, the mining of gypsum and
bentonite.
To best appreciate the mining culture of Cabo de Gata a visit to
Roadalquilar is a priority.
Rodalquilar and the Gold Mines
Located along the ALP-826 from
Las Negras, Rodalquilar village is
set in a colourful gold and green
valley against a backdrop of
volcanic hills. This once small
mining settlement has its own
special history, in the story of
the
Rodalquilar
gold
rush,
brought about when gold was
discovered in the hills at the end
of the 19th century. The first
profits from the gold mines were
shown by the Dorr mining plant,
the mine operated between 1931
and 1936, its closure caused by the start of the civil war. A few years
later the State took control of the mines, a new company was formed,
and rich gold deposits were found in the Cerro del Cinto, leading to the
opening of the Denver mine in 1956. This
era was a boom period for the village and as
the
population
surged
much
needed
facilities, such as schools, medical services,
shops, and even a social club, became
available for the first time. Ten years later
however, after miscalculations in the productivity of the mines,
deposits became depleted and in 1967 the facility was closed. Just as
quickly as the community had grown the village then became almost
deserted. Gone but not forgotten, the fascinating archaeological
heritage still resides and the old mining facilities can be visited. The
tourist centre, La Casa de los Volcanes, houses an exhibition room
dedicated to the gold mining history, and there is also a signposted
walking trail, Cerro de Cinto, which includes the highlights of this area.
Nowadays the village remains traditional and tranquil and caters to the
few tourist that are lucky enough to encounter this special destination.
The tourist information centre is located in the village centre, across
from the church, and close to the botanical garden centre. There are
some quaint looking eating establishments to help complete a lovey
day out. The Albardinal Botanical Garden Centre, to which entry is free,
specialises in plant life from the semi arid areas of East Andalucia, with
an abundance of well kept displays to
stroll around and admire. The garden
centre is twinned with the El Cornical
Centro
Fitoturistico,
a
display
concerning the future conservation of
the landscape, though the information
is only available in Spanish. The
Albardinal and El Cornical are open
from June to September from 10am
until 1pm then in the evenings
from 6pm
until
9pm
including
weekends but are closed on a Monday.
Both
the
garden
centre,
Jardin
Botanico, and the gold mine facility, Minas de Oro, are signposted, in
opposite directions, on entry to the village from the ALP-826.
The track road to the beach in itself is
an appealing enticement, set within
the valley and lined with symbolic park
scenery such as palm trees and agave
plants, the trail passes the ruins of the
16th century Torre de los Alumbres
and a pretty waterwheel and tower.
The approach to the beach is equally
lovely, with the 18th century Castillo
de San Ramon residing in a prime position overlooking the playa, a
reminder of the times when protection
of the areas resources and citizens
against the North African Pirates was
a necessity. Access to the valley track
and ultimately the beach is just before
Rodalquilar village, if coming from Las
Negras, via a left hand turning
signposted for Playa Playazo.
FISHING VILLAGES - Cabo de Gata
Fishing in Cabo de Gata is the same as it was years ago, inshore coastal
fishing using traditional skills, the boats are small enough to bank on
the shore at the end of the day. The declaration of a maritime mile
within the parks protective limits prevents larger industrial boats from
exhausting the waters and aids in the preservation of the seabed,
reefs, plant life and sea life.
The coastal villages of Las Negras,
Auga Amarga, La Isleta del Morro, San
Jose, and San Miguel de Cabo de Gata
are all fine examples of typical fishing
villages with their own beaches, each
presenting a supreme destinations for
rural holidays and offering a central
base from which to explore Cabo de
Gata, as well as options for day trips.
Choose Cabo de Gata for San Miguel
San Miguel de Cabo de Gata
San Miguel is the main village on the southern
coastline, it forms the gateway to the
attractions of the Cabo de Gata if heading from
Almeria city. It has the longest stretch of beach
in the natural park which is recognised by the
presence of many colourful fishing boats. The
landscape between San Miguel village and the
southern most tip of the Cabo de Gata is
dominated by the Las Salinas salt lakes and a
well
photographed
old
church.
Las Salinas de Cabo de Gata
Las Salinas de Cabo de Gata saltwater lagoons run parallel to the beach
at San Miguel, exploited since Roman times, the salt pans are still in
operation today. Beside their salt production, the marshy habitats
provide a feeding ground for many birds species. The bird life can be
observed from the special viewing points that are signposted from the
main coastal highway, there is also a walking and cycling trail, closed
to cars, that runs alongside the water pools and around their
perimeter.
The key to the biological welfare of the salt marshes, including the
continuity of a food source for the birds, is keeping the water levels
relatively stable all year round. Their sea level location means that
prevailing westerly winds drive water straight across them, if this is
not enough, then water is pumped or transported in, especially during
the spring and summer months when the arid conditions would
normally
dry
out
the
area.
Autumn is the season for harvesting the salt, this is done at the small
town of Almadraba de Montevela, located just after the old church,
where huge heaps of salt can be seen at
this time of year and throughout the winter
months.
route.
Continuing along the San Miguel coast road
leads to the previously detailed lighthouse
and Mirador on the Cabo de Gata headland,
this is where the road ends, access to San
Jose, the closest village on the eastern
shores, by vehicle, is achieved by returning
along the same road and taking the inland
Choose Cabo de Gata for San Jose
San Jose
The main tourist resort in the park
and home to its only marina and
port. A quaint fishing village that still
manages to retain its charms of old
with white village houses and narrow
streets. The lovely beach areas are
sandy and shallow, there are plenty
of
opportunities
for
diving,
snorkelling
and
sailing.
Every
amenity is available from this village,
shops, bars and restaurants, and all types of accommodation. The
information centre, on the main road, is the place to visit to arrange
guided walking, cycling and 4x4 trips, including, in the summer
months, the Senderismo Nocturno, an evening walk and star gazing
experience at the alluring Playa Genoveses.
Horse riding is available for exploring the area from Hotel Cotijo El
Sortillo, an 18th century ranch house, converted to a 4 star hotel, just
outside
of
the
village
of
San
Jose.
Access to the beaches of Genoveses and Monsul, two of the most
visited of the hidden beaches of Cabo de Gata, is from San Jose village
centre, Centro Urbano, where the trail is clearly singposted.
Choose Cabo de Gata for Isleta del Moro
La Isleta del Moro
A lovely little village, named after
the island rock formations that lie at
its headland. Access to the village is
signposted from the ALP-826. .
The village is very low key and
traditional, with the popular beach
area on one side, and on the other, a
water sports centre. The scattering
of narrow streets have a couple of
bars and fish restaurants and the
main road leads up to the mirador
and information centre.
Choose Cabo de Gata for Las Negras
Las Negras
Within the heart of the protected
natural area, hidden away among the
giant mountains of the Sierra de Cabo
de Gata and named after the Cerro
Negro, the black mountain, which
dominates the landscape to the north,
lies Las Negras. A quaint town with a
beach of both sand and pebbles and a
seafront promenade, there is a lovely
selection of cafes and bars close to the
beach and a few shops and boutiques.
The area between Las Negras and
Agua Amarga is the most secluded
stretch of the coastline and there is
no direct road for vehicles along its
length, however the mountainous
landscapes can be traversed via the
San Pedro - El Plomo - Agua
Amarga marked walking track. The
route includes access to the isolated
coves of Cala San Pedro, Cala del
Plomo and Cala de Enmedio, some of
the most seducing beach areas within
the natural park, they can only be
experience either on foot or by boat making for some extremely
rewarding destinations in both achievement and attraction.
Las Negras has opportunities for diving, hiking, mountain biking, 4x4
excursions,
kayak, boat trips and
boat
hire,
or
simply relaxing within
truly
beautiful
surroundings.
Choose Cabo de Gata for Agua Amarga
Agua Amarga
The northern most coastal village on
the east side of Cabo de Gata, the
whitewash houses typical of the
Andalucian
village
image.
Now
catering to tourism, especially in the
summer months, there are several
bars, cafes, restaurants, and shops.
The lovely sandy beach is lapped by
turquoise waters and enclosed in a wide bay between two cliffs.
To the south of the village is the walking route to Las Negras and the
hidden beaches and coves in between the two villages, to the north is
the Mesa Roldan peak. There is a diving and catamaran centre for
water sports and naturally hiking and mountain biking are a popular
pastime. In the main though Agua Amarga is an away from it all
destination, a place to relax by the sea and let time slip by, or while
away the hours enjoying the fare from one of the delightful beach side
restaurants.
CINEMA LOCATIONS - Cabo de Gata
The unique landscapes of Cabo de Gata have served to create
magnificent settings and backdrops to numerous cinematic and audio
projects, from commercials and music videos to short films and
Hollywood movies, some of the most famous include:







Lawrence of Arabia - directed by David Lean, starring Peter
O'Toole, Alec Guinness, and Anthony Quinn.
Indian Jones and the Last Crusade - directed by Steven
Spielberg, starring Harrison Ford.
Talk to Her - directed by Pedro Almodovar, starring Javier
Camara, Dario Grandinetti, Leonor Watling, Geraldine Chaplin,
and Rosario Flores.
The Reckoning - directed by Paul McGuigan, starring Paul Bettany
and Willem Dafoe.
El Cid - directed by Anthony Mann, starring Charlton Heston and
Sophia Loren.
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen - directed by Terry Gilliam,
starring John Neville, Eric Idle, Oliver Reed, Sarah Polley and
Sting.
For a Few Dollars More - directed by Sergio Leone, starring Clint
Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef.
Los Albaricoques
Los Albaricoques, traditional village
and
movie
location.
The cultural history of this remote
village lies in its architecture and
landscape, a hamlet surrounded by
cactus and prickly pear plants, the
houses are terraced with thick
whitewashed walls and low flat
roofs. Los Albaricoques has been
utilised as a film location for western movie backdrops and the village
streets were used as the set for the Mexican village of Aguas Calientes
in the renowned 1965 spaghetti western For a Few Dollars More, the
second movie in the famous series directed by Sergio Leone and
starring
Lee
Van
Cleef
and
Clint
Eastwood.
The approach to the village is signalled by the universal image of a
western
gunslinger,
there
is
an
information board on access to the
village and 5 further placards with movie
location details, in several languages,
throughout the village. Even the street
names have relevance, the image to the right shows the carved street
name of Ennio Morricone, the composer of the effective sound track for
the
western
trilogy.
Today the village continues in its normal life, though for the local
inhabitants the cinematic heritage will always be remembered.
Easiest access is along the ALP-824 from the main ALP-206 San Jose
road.
Cortijo del Fraile
Cortijo del Fraile, old farmhouse,
movie location and crime scene!
This
farmhouse,
in
close
proximity to Albaricoques, has
also been the setting for movie
scenes, in particular, the 1966
spaghetti western, The Good, The
Bad and The Ugly. However the
location is perhaps more famous
for a crime that occurred here in
1928, and from media influences
after this event became the
inspiration for the novel 'Bodas
de Sangre' - The Blood Weddings
- composed by the famous writer Frederico Garcia Lorca.
Intrigued?
The local story, one of impossible love and tragedy, is about a young
women who lived with her father in the farmhouse at that time, in love
with her childhood sweetheart, she was set to be married by
arrangement to someone else. Legend tells of how she tried to escape
her marriage ceremony and run off with her true love, only to be
intercepted by the brother of the groom, resulting in bloodshed and
murder, the young women was witness to the shooting of her lover and
she herself was left for dead. Although she recovered physically she
never recovered her emotional wounds and died a widow many years
later.
In a remote location, the cortijo can be reached along track roads from
Albaricoques, Rodalquilar or Fernan Perez and is signposted from each
village. There is also a signposted walking trail which includes the
coritjo and its surrounding countryside.
FLORA AND FAUNA - Cabo de Gata
Plant life
Surprisingly there are more than a
thousand different plant species to be
found in this Mediterranean semi-desert,
an unusual and diverse mix that have had
to adapt to environmental conditions
such as excessive heat, scarcity of rain
water and the volcanic nature of the land.
The area is prevented from being
completely desertic by its closeness to the sea and a condition know as
hidden rainfall, where moisture in form of dew is created from the
cooling
of
the
humid
air
at
night
time.
Saltwort and reeds thrive in the salty environment and offer shelter to
nesting seabirds. The sand dunes are home to the cottonweed and in
the mountains, mostly near the shadier parts of the ramblas, there are
gorse, broom, esparto, lichens and palmetto palm trees. Of course the
cactus plant can be seen in abundance in
the more arid areas. The plant species
which stand out the most in the Cabo de
Gata are the agave, sisal and prickly
pears, providing beautiful scenery within
the park. The chumbera, prickly pears,
were introduced to the region in the 19th
century as a dual purpose food source, the
pears for the villagers, and the stalks for
the livestock. The agave and the sisal were
planted here in the mid 20th century, to
provide an industry for the area, their
fibres being used in the manufacture of
rope
and
textiles.
Sea life
The rocky seabeds of the marine
reserve are protected not only for
their outstanding beauty but for
their biological importance and
ecological conditions. The protected
area is over fifty kilometres long by
one mile wide and is regulated to
ensure preservation, in 2001 this
coastal
zone
was
declared
a
Specially
Protected
Area
of
Mediterranean
Importance,
reaffirming its environmental value. The Posidonia Oceanica, a marine
plant that lives in the Mediterranean sea, enjoys an excellent state of
preservation in the parks waters, it forms a thick meadow that covers
the seabed and protects the coastline from erosion, it also provides a
valuable habitat offering food and shelter for the multitude of sea life
in the area. The best preserved marine environments of the Cabo de
Gata include:

Cabo de Gata

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


Morron de los Genoveses
Punta de Loma Pelada
Punta de la Polacra
Punta Javana
Punta de la Media Naranja