Sierra Espuña is a mountain range of more than 25,000 hectares in the centre of the region of Murcia in between the two valleys of the Guadalentin and Pliego rivers.

In April 1995 17,804 hectares were declared as Parque Regional, giving it a protected status in terms of conservation, although even before that these mountains had a long history of conservation. As a result of the ambitious and successful reforestation project at the end of the previous century it was possible even in 1931 to declare 5,084 hectares as ‘Sitio Natural de Interés Nacional’ which means an ‘area of national interest’. In 1973 14,181 hectares were marked out as Reserva Nacional de Caza – which means it became a national hunting reserve. In 1978 the title ‘Sitio Natural’ was changed to ‘Parque Natural’ along with an increase of its area with 9,961 hectares more. In 1992 the category Parque Regional was applied offering a higher conservation status. These new boundaries and definitions were applied in context of the ‘Ley Regional 6/1995’ (Spanish Law) with areas coming under the territories of Alhama, Mula and Totana.

Espuña is a sparsely populated, forested mountainous area in which you will find small villages and country houses in rural settings. It is one of the most accessible areas of outstanding natural beauty in Murcia. In this area, you can also explore interesting tiny towns such as Aledo, Alhama de Murcia, Pliego, Mula and Totana as well as villages such as Santa Leocadia, El Purgatorio, El Berro, Gebas and Casas Nuevas. All this in addition to not only the Parque Regional of Sierra Espuña but also the amazing white moonscapes of ‘los Barrancos de Gebas’, with its spectacular reservoir in ‘la rambla de Algericas’.

Spectacular areas such as el Valle del Leyva, with its impressive steep rock cliffs, are favourites with climbers near and far. The snowhouses – ‘pozos de la nieve’ in the highest part of the mountains, were ancient ice factories belonging to our ancestors, and attract many interested visitors.

El Berro, a village of just 100 inhabitants, situated at 650 metres’ altitude, is in Sierra Espuña and still functions according to popular local traditions. There are many useful facilities here.

It is an ideal area for walking and other outdoor sports such as mountain biking, climbing, paragliding, canoeing, potholing and orienteering, amongst others.

In the ‘parque natural’ area, you can see birds of prey and even whilst relaxing on the hotel terrace you can sometimes spot golden eagles. Muflon sometimes appear on paths, and other easily seen wildlife includes squirrels, foxes, badgers and wild boar - the latter being frequently seen and fed near one of the nearby restaurants.

Pine, oak, juniper, rosemary, thyme and marjoram all grow amongst the typical Mediterranean greenery here.