Cycling in Caravaca: an easy route for all the family between Cehegín and Caravaca

This Caravaca cycling tour follows part of the Camino de Levante pilgrimage route

One of two recommended short cycling trips for beginners and families of all ages, this route follows the steps of the pilgrims who have come to Caravaca de la Cruz to venerate a fragment of the True Holy Cross for many centuries, and who these days arrive in their tens of thousands, on two wheels or clad in hiking boots, every seven years during the Holy Jubilee Year granted by Pope John Paul II in 1998.

This is a fairly flat 24-kilometre circular route and, even with children, is unlikely to last more than two and a half hours. The most natural starting and finishing point of the route is the Plaza del Arco, in the historic centre, where you can see the Town Hall (dating from 1737 and including the majestic archway which gives the square its name).

From there riders head out of town, past the Templete (where the ceremony of the Bathing of the Cross takes place every year on 3^rd May during the annual Fiestas since it was built in 1762 on the same location as a former chapel) to the beauty spot and park of Las Fuentes del Marqués, an ideal place to escape the milling crowds and enjoy the great outdoors. So treasured is the site that a special management team is charged with ensuring that it does not become overcrowded or spoilt and that the natural surroundings are fully respected, and within the park is the Torreón de los Templarios, a name evoking the age of the Knights Templar, although the building that we see today was actually part of a residential complex belonging to the estates of the noble family, the Marquises de Uribe.

After a ride around the verdant park, it’s on towards the picturesque and historic neighbouring town of Cehegín, covering part of the Camino de Levante, a route which extends all the way to the city of Orihuela in the province of Alicante. Along the way you’ll cross the bridge over the River Argos which in the 20^th century was built to carry a railway line to Caravaca – now it is part of the Camino de Levante greenway.

Once you reach the old railway station of Cehegín it’s time to head back to Caravaca, following part of the Green Belt route which has recently been created by the Town Hall.

All in all, a fantastic way to get out and explore these two neighbouring towns in the north-west of Murcia while enjoying the healthy benefits of the great outdoors and physical exercise - enjoy it!

For more local events, news and visiting information contact the local tourist office (telephone 968 702424) or go to the home page of Caravaca Today.