48,000 euros for improvements to popular Lorca hiking path

The Cejo de los Enamorados route takes walkers into the mountains west of Lorca

The hiking path of the Cejo de los Enamorados, in the mountains to the west of the city of Lorca which stretch all the way to boundary between Murcia and Andalucía, is being spruced up by the Town Hall through an investment of approximately 48,000 euros in two of the walkways, following a previous campaign which required a budget of 70,000 euros.

Among the elements of this new project are the structural reinforcement of two bridges and the installation of handrails and steel cables, adding additional safety features to one of the most popular hiking paths in the Region of Murcia (according to the Mayor, Fulgencio Gil Jódar).

Indeed, this trip into the mountains is particularly attractive to residents of Lorca, being so close to the city, and to guests at the Parador hotel in Lorca castle.

The path also coincides in part with the route of the old Roman Road known as the Vía Augusta, which ran through all of the Mediterranean coastal regions of what is now Spain. This is the part which leads to the reservoir of Puentes, and close to the end of the path are the remains of the Roman villa of La Quintilla, which were discovered quite by accident in 1876 and has been excavated since 1981.

As walkers go further into the mountains, though, they leave the urban landscape behind and make their way to the Sierras of El Gigante, Pericay, Cambrón and Tercia, home to species such as the eagle owl and the peregrine falcon.

For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist office at the Palacio de Guevara (telephone 968 441914) or go to the home page of Lorca Today.